Ambitious Cope: I'm taking 16,500 FOBTs to Greece

While UK betting-shop operators remain on tenterhooks about the government’s attitude towards gaming machines, one Brit has put in an order for 16,500 terminals to install the equivalent in his company’s outlets – in Greece.

Damian Cope, chief executive of the Greek operator OPAP since July last year, is also planning to introduce betting on virtual sports, self-service terminals and even coffee and sandwiches to the firm’s 4,500 shops.

"We have the largest network of outlets of any industry in Greece – banks, supermarkets, petrol stations, etc – because virtually every town and village has a cafe and an OPAP store," he said. "At the moment the two don't mix, but we're looking at allowing some of our shops to offer snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, which is going back to UK basics."