Opap and Cyprus, a 52 year common history

The Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics S.A. was established in Greece in December 1958 with the purpose, as the relevant legislation envisaged, of ‘organising, operating and conducting football games prognostics’. That’s how PROPO came about, aimed at investing its revenue in developing Greek sport.

Cypriots sought to participate in the game in 1967 when the football federation of the country decided that the islands’ first division champion would take part in the Greek football championship top flight. That meant the team’s games would be included in the PROPO weekly coupons. Late Archbishop Makarios, first President of the Republic and his government, facilitated OPAP’s introduction to Cyprus, believing that its financial benefits would contribute towards developing the country’s sports infrastructure.

Opap (Cyprus) was made official on October 14^th 1969 with the signing of the first interstate agreement between Cyprus and Greece. Education minister Constandinos Spyridakis signed the agreement on behalf of Cyprus. Its implementation was launched on November 14^th 1969 with delivery of the first batch of PROPO coupons to betting shops across the island. That historic first coupon included the Olympiacos Nicosia-Byzantas match, held in the Greek town of Megara.

The first PROPO coupon played in Cyprus included the following matches:

AEK                – PAOK

Aris                 – Olympiacos Volou

Vyzas              – Olympiacos Nicosia

Ethnikos P.      – Olympiacos Pireaus

Iraklis             – Panionios

Kavala            – Panathinaikos

OFI                 – Pierikos

Serres             – Panachaiki

Anagennisi Artas –PAS Giannina

Atromitos P      – Argonaytis

Levadiakos      – Ikaros

Alexandroupoli  – Veroia

Makedonikos    – Apollon Thessaloniki

For Olympiacos, it was its 2^nd participation in the Greek football top flight, in the framework of a policy of ‘uniting Cyprus and Greek football’. Other Cypriot teams who competed in the Greek championship at the time, were EPA, AEL, Omonoia and APOEL.

PROPO was very well received in Cyprus and not merely as a source of profit, but rel hope for the resurgence of Cyprus sport. It was impressive how PROPO collectively mobilized both individuals and organised groups, promoting the game.

Sports clubs, unions and associations across the island publicly declared their endorsement for the game, calling on people to embrace it as the salvation of Cyprus sport. Clubs took the initiative of organising meetings and discussed ways of promoting the game. The media coverage was astounding, with the press dedicating long reports which briefed its readers about how the game is played.

Supporting sports

OPAP’s financial benefits were quite overwhelming and clearly indicated its positive effect. The Cyprus Sports Association’s first complete budget, that of 1971, included an income of 180 thousand 300 pounds, of which 180 thousand was OPAP revenue. The 300 pounds were referred to as ‘other income’.

In the early years, authorities launched an awareness campaign so that Cypriots would embrace PROPO and stop betting in English league matches, as the state only received income from that particular game. As Education minister Frixos Petrides remarked in June 1971:

 

‘The parallel betting on English football matches has taken on serious dimensions, without spending on these games contributing in any way towards developing sports in Cyprus. This reality is of concern to the government that is considering all the necessary steps in order to curtail the problem’.

Cyprus football clubs shared in the initiative, contributing to the nationwide effort at promoting PROPO, under the slogan ‘A new era in Cyprus sports’.

The early betting shops

PROPO brought about an interest in betting shop licenses, with many seeking priority in their applications, including EOKA 1955-59 members. The criteria set by the government on granting betting shop licenses prioritised the following groups:

-Disabled EOKA members,

-Veteran athletes and young as well as non-active football players.

The first license was granted to disabled Christakis Antoniou in Nicosia. The initial list of applications included big names in Cyprus football at the time, including Arhontides, Mantzalos, Zagkylos and Loukaides.

But it wasn’t just the early establishment. The years that followed were equally significant both for Opap Cyprus as well as sport in the country, as PROPO income led to infrastructure and facilities, prioritising on building new stadiums or upgrading buildings, such as the Dimitriadeio in Kyrenia and the Lysi and Morphou municipal grounds, the first three grass stadiums in Cyprus.

The 1974 tragedy

Development came to a sudden halt in 1974, as the Turkish invasion and occupation changed everything. Almost half the island was lost to the invaders and along with it, a massive sports infrastructure in the occupied areas. The tragic conditions of the time led the Greek government to suspending the OPAP and PROPO operations in Cyprus, as a mark of respect and solidarity.

‘PROPO simply cannot operate in Cyprus with the people living in such dire conditions’, the Greek government declared in its October 19^th 1974 decision.

The absence of PROPO income undoubtedly overturned the Sports Association’s development plans during a period of tragic repercussions that inevitably also affected sport.

‘Please have in mind that PROPO remains the only lifeline of Cyprus sport and the single hope of reactivating it’, said Cyprus Sports Association Stelios Gkaranis in a dramatic plea to the Greek Sport Secretariat to reestablish the game.

Due to the country’s desperate financial needs, the issue took on massive proportions, with the Greek ambassador in Cyprus Michalis Dountas also becoming involved with an initiative to bring PROPO back to the island.

Following the invasion ‘we did not even have enough money to pay for electricity at the Cyprus Football Association Offices’, then federation Vice President Savvas Lagoudis later recounted.

The initiative was successful and the OPAP branch in Cyprus reopens in 1975, but with a reduced income of just 84,677 pounds, as people were still reeling from the effects of the war. But it soon picked up, catching on to the amazing recovery of a country that had almost half its territory ripped from its grasp. In 1976, PROPO income rose to 205,500 pounds, out of which 82,979 go to state coffers and the rest to game winners. In 1977,  this revenue doubles, with the Cyprus Sports Association receiving 229,134 pounds. PROPO is re-established even more dynamically, as the lifeline of Cyprus sport.

Some of the infrastructure built with PROPO funds, included an Olympic sized swimming pool in Limassol and the first indoor stadium in the capital, Lefkotheon, exclusively funded by PROPO.

More money also means additional subsidies to federation and clubs, as well as material and technical support for Cypriot athletes training in both Greece and Cyprus.

New games

The situation gradually stabilises, the Cyprus economy grows and OPAP introduces new games. In 1991, LOTTO is introduced, followed by PROTO in 1992, PROPO-GOAL in 1996 and TZOKER in 1997. EXTRA 5 and SUPER 3 are introduced in 2002.

A major step in 2003

It is a year of pivotal changes and developments. In 1999, OPAP becomes a public company, under the name Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics (OPAP S.A.), inevitably changing the way it operates in Cyprus.

On February 12^th 2003, the Greek and Cyprus government renew their Interstate Agreement, based on which OPAP is granted license to operate, organise, manage and conduct the PROPOGOAL, PROPO, LOTTO, PROTO, TZOKER, SUPER 3, EXTRA 5 and KINO games in Cyprus.

In August 2003 and in the framework of the Nicosia-Athens agreement, OPAP S.A. establishes OPAP (Cyprus) Ltd, responsible for organising, operating and promoting the company’s games in Cyprus.

OPAP (Cyprus) Ltd now operates as a subsidiary to OPAP S.A. Two years it goes ahead with yet another strategic move in Cyprus, as the creation of OPAP (Cyprus) Ltd, administration is taken over by an Executive Board, in which both Greece and Cyprus are represented. The first President of this Board was one of the greatest Cypriot athletes, middle distance hurdler Stavros Tziortzis.

Yet more games

Additional games are introduced in 2004, with KINO, and 2006 with PROPO 14 & 7.

All OPAP games are offered through 203 betting shops across Cyprus; 77 in Nicosia, 53 in Limassol, 38 in Larnaca, 22 in Paphos and 13 in the free Famagusta area.

Major financial contribution

The OPAP (Cyprus) revenue rose to more than 2 billion euro between 2011-2020 and more than 65% returned to players as profits, during the same period.

OPAP (Cyprus) has made a significant contribution to society through the Corporate Responsibility programme, developed in five pillars; Sport, Health, Culture/Society, Education and the Environment.

Here’s the social contribution numbers for 2016-2020:

Sport: €7.082.376

Health: €8.477.460,

Education: €1.646.046,

Culture /Society: € 4.594.943 and

Environment: €306.000.

Corporate and social responsibility

OPAP Cyprus now spans 52 years of life in the country, first since 1969 as an organisation and then turning into a public company in 2003. Gaming is a sensitive sector but as noted by OPAP managing consultant Dimitris Aletraris, ‘beyond entertainment, we have the obligation and take the time to protect the clients that trust our company’. Above all though, he points to OPAP’s significant social contribution, through multifaceted actions and events.

How is the experience of heading an organisation spanning more than half a century?

My answer is summed up in two words; Responsibility and respect!

Responsibility in leading a company that is not just about personnel and associates, but also directly concerns numerous individuals and organisations which form part of its social fabric.

One realises the weight of this responsibility, when the President of Cyprus considers OPAP Cyprus to be a source of support for the Health Ministry’s strategic planning.

This is multiplied by the fact that we operate in gaming, a particularly sensitive sector, having the obligation to protect the players, beyond any entertainment factor.

Such responsibility distinguishes OPAP Cyprus and determines its course over more than 50 years in Cyprus, a piece of history that we need to approach with respect.

History a beacon to the future

What messages does history carry forward?

The obligation to continue along the same guiding values and principles that determined OPAP’s relationship with Cyprus’s society, always responding to people’s expectations with consistency, both when it comes to the quality of services we provide to our game players, as well as the range and quality of support we provide in all aspects of life in the country.

What is the group’s DNA and what determined its make up?

That would be a relationship of love and trust that we developed with society since day one of our establishment in Cyprus. This is what determined our DNA, starting as an organisation in 1969 and a company since 2003.

I believe that our corporate, but primarily our social responsibility, is a clear indicator of the company’s philosophy throughout this time.

Landmarks

Important moments throughout this decades long history?

Coming to Cyprus in 1969 was obviously the first one, as it marked a new era for Cyprus sport and culture, through OPAP’s contribution.

Those old enough can remember the slogan that expressed the vision of the early years. For sport and culture! What also left a mark was OPAP’s post 1974 major contribution, after it reopened in 1975, in rebuilding the country’s sports infrastructure and beyond. And any other time when OPAP’s operational status in Cyprus has changed was also significant.

I note the establishment of OPAP Cyprus Public Company in 2003 and the drawing up of the company’s five pillars of social action in 2008; namely Health, Culture, Education, Environment and of course, Sport.

These pillars determined OPAP’s next important moments, such as cooperation with social contribution organisations in our country, including PASYKAF, Anti-Cancer Society, Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Karaiskakeion Foundation, One dream-one wish, The Red Cross and many other bodies, organised groups and volunteers

Smiles and tears

What incident has stayed with you all this time?

It’s a difficult one. Referring to any particular story or incident will simply do no justice to all the other memorable moments. And the precious ones you want to keep are those close to the heart, those you remember first. A smile, tears of joy. And I’ve been blessed with smiles and shed many tears of joy since I took over as Managing Consultant of OPAP in the summer of 2014.

From little Pantelis that gave me a massive hug when we granted a wish for him, to the cyclamens that the Rizokarpaso pupils gave us when we presented them and deservedly so, the ‘OPAP Neophytos Handriotis’ award. And not forgetting our support to schools during the financial crisis, and the relief of pupils.

Equally touching was the 50 year anniversary of OPAP Cyprus, when we shared our joy with the Stella Soulioti Children’s Treatment Center of the Red Cross.

The next day

We are facing a tough situation. Covid was upon us before Cyprus had a chance to recover from the financial crisis. What’s your take on things?

There’s no other option but the approach that the global situation commands, really. The covid concern expressed by relevant international bodies and powerful countries, have an impact on the global scene, whether we like it or not. Naturally we are also affected, perhaps more, as we are a small country and we have to respond and survive problems that are bigger than us.

The virus is still very much with us, in spite of vaccines and new mutations have sounded yet another global alarm. We need to react accordingly as well, responding to the severity of the situation and follow the advice of the experts. Our priority must be to cooperate, respecting the measures and processes in place to protect us from the virus and prevent things from getting worse again.

How do you see things post-pandemic?

We wish they could be as we would like them to be. But they won’t and we’re actually all beginning to realise that. We’ve seen it time and again over the course of history; humankind was never the same after a major crisis, pandemic or any other destructive event. The same holds true now. What’s important is to endure through it and utilise the experience of this trial to forge better future conditions, whether it’s about our country or the international community.

OPAP Cyprus always breaks down current conditions and the rapidly changing environment on the basis of two parameters. Designing and supporting the company’s course on the foundations of the new situation, so we can protect its sturdiness but also contribute to the kickstart of the country’s economy. The 2^nd parameter is remaining a strong social ally and continue to sponsor Health, Culture, Education, the Environment and Sport, all areas that have felt the brunt of the pandemic repercussions.

Where did the company focus during the pandemic?

It is written that OPAP Cyprus was always there during all the tough time for the country and its people, providing vital support. So evaluating all these difficult pandemic conditions, we prioritised the health sector as the top priority of our action.

We made a 1.330 million euro contribution towards building the new Nicosia General Hospital Intensive Care Unit, sponsored the country’s Medical Association in purchasing individual protective equipment for health professionals, donated a modern MRI system to state hospitals, provided cutting edge technology to the Nuclear Medicine department, supported the ‘Baby Miracles’ Association by donating a specially designed ambulance for premature baby care, as well as many other actions.

The OPAP Cyprus substantial support during the pandemic year of 2020, was yet another step in the company’s consistent Health sector support, in coordination with the government and the health ministry. Numbers do speak volumes.

In 2020, OPAP Cyprus supported the health sector with 2,623,628 euro, 55.99% of the company’s social action budget, a percentage reflecting the OPAP Cyprus priority on health.

We also kept supporting all established health bodies and social aid groups, as well as cultural institutions, including a grand sponsorship to the Symphonic Orchestra Foundation, ‘Kypria’ International Festival and many other artistic events, covering all forms of expression.

But above all, we stand for what’s beautiful and true and in this spirit, we sponsored the Cyprus Olympic Committee and our athletes and their respectable presence at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Beyond that, our support extends to all out athletes events, all federations and clubs, almost all of our national teams, as well as Cyprus Sports Association’s planning and programmes.

That’s how OPAP Cyprus kept up its responsible stance to society during the pandemic, an approach it has followed for over half a century. Every company should maintain such responsibility in its field, more so when the country is pushed by such a crisis, one that is still upon us. We need to be and feel proud sponsors of our society! That’s how we feel at OPAP Cyprus!

A five pillar contribution

Opap social action and approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. Here’s what managing consultant Dinitris Aletraris had to say:

Corporate social responsibility is an integral part of Opap (Cyprus) Ltd philosophy since day one on the island. I would go as far as saying that this policy was adopted by Opap in the country, long before the term became established by the relevant European and international bodies.

We don’t call social action an obligation; it is part and parcel of the company’s philosophy, the expression of our entity. It is a relationship between Opap (Cyprus) Ltd and the people of the country, founded and grown over the past half century on the solid foundations of mutual appreciation, respect, trust and honesty.

 

Corporate responsibility takes on practical shape daily and publicly as citizens of our country partake in this experience, at the same time becoming our very own voice of criticism, if necessary.

What everyone can clearly discern through our actions, is the care and will to contribute.

We take the time to evaluate and prioritise the needs of the country at any given period, responding accordingly.

Our social responsibility is expressed in five pillars; Health, Culture, Education, Environment and Sport make up the guidelines of our approach, formulating our priorities; health always comes first.

 

Our sponsorships focus on social support bodies, cultural organisations, environmental action and no less, sports events.

Beyond that, we respond to individual and organisations support requests submitted through transparent processes and always following the necessary evaluation.

We take in dozens of applications daily and look into them closely, always having in mind the best and widest possible social benefit.

The eight OPAP games

Opap brings two categories of products to the gaming market; in the lottery category and games based on sports events predictions

Lotteries:

LOTTO: It’s a numbers game where 6+1 numbers are drawn from a series of 49 numbers (1 to 49), with five winning categories. It’s drawn twice a week with just a 50 cent entry fee.

PROTO: A seven digit number is drawn. Winners are those that guess digits of the corresponding drawn number, either all seven of them or two to six digits. It’s drawn three times a week, with an entry fee of 50 cent.

TZOKER: Five numbers are drawn out of a range of 45 (from 1 to 45) and an additional number out of a range of 20 (1 to 20). The winners correctly predict one to five numbers from the first range of the 45 and the additional number from the 2^nd range of 20, as well as three to five of the first 45 numbers. It’s drawn three times a week with an entry fee of 50 cent.

SUPER 3: It’s based on the prediction of a three digit number from 000 to 999. The game is drawn ten times daily and the entry fee is 50 cent.

EXTRA 5: It’s a prediction of five out of a series of 35 numbers from 1 to 35. Winners have to correctly predict three to five numbers. It’s drawn twice a day (15:00 and 19:00) with an entry fee of 50 cent.

KINO:  People need to correctly 1 to 12 numbers from a range of 80. KINO is drawn every five minutes from 09:00 to 23:55, with an entry fee of 50 cent.

Sports events prediction games:

PROPO 14&7: Players have to correctly predict the results of either just the 14 football games set in every competition or the first 7 games in a row. It’s played three times a week, Wednesday and the weekend, with an entry fee of 25 cent.

PROPO-GOAL: Players have to correctly predict eight of the thirty football games included in the competition with the highest number of goals. PRORO-GOAL takes place every Sunday and the entry fee is 25 cent.