New Year’s Eve is a festive occasion in Greece and luck plays a big part in the celebrations. For many Greeks, it’s a time when you do what you can to bring luck for the future. In most Greek homes, you will find a deck of cards. On New Year’s Eve, families and friends play a game of cards, drink wine, and eat sweets. This tradition dates back many years. According to Greek folklore, the New Year won’t go well if you don’t play cards on New Year’s Eve.
The time of year is a lucky time
All over the country, families will gather to play games that have a clear winner. Sometimes, even children will take part in simple card games. For winners, the year ahead will be full of good fortune. Even losers can be optimistic because there’s a Greek saying that those who lose at cards win at love. Everyone will leave the table in the early hours of New Year’s Day in a happy state of mind.
Greeks will also enthusiastically play the State Lottery at this time of year. Grandparents will even buy lottery tickets for their children or grandchildren for fun.
Today, the Greek government has a licensing system for online gambling operators so players can play online games in a safe, regulated environment. This has increased the popularity of online gambling and sports betting in Greece. Various states in the U.S. have also legalized US online gambling, experiencing a notable rise in the popularity of both online gambling and sports betting.
Festivities focus on family and food
Playing cards and gambling on New Year’s Eve is an opportunity for Greek families to get together. In most cases, the bets are only small amounts. No one wants a family member or friend to lose a large sum of money. There’s a spirit of friendly competition.
The most popular card game is 21, which is similar to the game of blackjack. Another popular game is Koutali, which is similar to bingo. The card-playing sessions usually start in the early evening and last until midnight. There will be a countdown to midnight, when the lights are turned off and then turned on again to mark the change in time.
The Greeks are very family-oriented. This and the love of good food are some of the attractions for those who are considering moving to Greece and living there. The Greece citizenship and residency program is surrounded by myths and misconceptions so those who want to move there should get expert advice.
An interest in online gambling
Greek consumers are showing an increasing interest in online gambling today. The younger generation is tech-savvy and used to making online transactions. The Greeks have a strong passion for sports and there’s a high demand for sports betting services.
Another trend seen in gambling in Greece today is the playing of live dealer games. These games allow players to receive a live stream on their screens of a human dealer dealing the cards, etc. Players can interact with the dealer and other gamblers via live chat. This creates a similar atmosphere to being in a physical casino and adds a social element to online gaming.
