OPAP, operator of more than 20,000 video lottery machines in Europe, has stopped the roll-out of almost 5,000 additional VLTs in Greece until the country’s government settles a “procedural” regulatory issue, according to a report from the Reuters news agency.
In keeping with its exclusivity agreement with Greece, OPAP must add an additional 4,900 VLTs by the end of 2019 for a total of 25,000 machines. OPAP’s Chief Executive Officer Damian Cope said the ruling was “purely procedural” and he is confident that the issue will be resolved.
“At the moment, we are continuing all of the necessary activities related to the planning of our roll-out,” Cope said in a call with analysts. “Our intention is to complete the roll-out by the end of the year and as soon as we get a clarification that we want, then we’ll be up again.”