Greece’s ongoing economic crisis and standoff with European leaders could have repercussions that impact the global economy.

That effect extends also to the gaming industry, as Greece’s attempts to further avoid defaulting on its debts may show costly to organizations like Global Game Technology (IGT) and Scientific Games.

Those manufacturers were hoping to provide video lottery terminals throughout Greece, using the games simply days away from a launch that is planned. But, the Hellenic Gaming Commission announced lottery that is new into the wake of the nation’s financial crisis, leaving much doubt as to the short-term future of the industry.

Brand New Regulations Limit Enjoy, Jackpot Size

Each day under the new regulations, daily loss limits were to be added to the machines, and gamblers would be limited as to how much time they would be allowed to play on a machine. Jackpot levels would be reduced under the regulations that are new.

That didn’t stay well with OPAP, the Greek company that operates the video lottery terminal community. The company said that the new regulation would make operating the terminals ‘no longer viable,’ and immediately stopped the deployment of 16,500 machines throughout the country in a statement.

Evaluating the problem realistically, the timing of the regulations that are new OPAP’s decision might be coincidental, and it’s really hard to see how it would be directly related to the battle over Greek debt. But it doesn’t signify the crisis that is ongoingn’t be a factor in how the lottery terminal battle is resolved.

‘The delay does not have anything to do with the current debt crises other than maybe OPAP playing hardball using the regulators hoping because they need the new tax revenue,’ said Todd Eilers of Eilers Research that they will cave.

IGT, Scientific Games Could Lose Revenue

If this is simply a negotiating tactic on the part of OPAP, maybe it’s a costly one for slot machine manufacturers like IGT and Scientific Games. Both of the companies were terminals that are producing the Geek market, and the delays could potentially cost those two organizations millions in income.

IGT had been awarded a merchant contract to provide 5,500 lottery machines, while Scientific Games was slated to make 5,000 devices for the market. Two European manufacturers, Inspired Gaming and Synot, were additionally awarded vendor that is first-phase.

IGT was anticipated to make up to $30 million in annual revenues from the machines supplied to Greece, while Scientific Games could generate as much as $27 million.

The delays therefore the crisis that is financial certainly brought some uncertainty to the Greek movie lottery terminal market, but Eilers says that in the long term, Greece should still be a lucrative market for manufacturers.

‘We still believe the VLT market will move ahead and represents a sizable growth possibility for vendors,’ he said.

The negotiations over the future of Greece’s lottery terminals comes at a right time when much bigger battles are now being waged on the country’s monetary future.

Greeks voted ‘no’ on the strict lending terms offered by international creditors on Sunday, with over 61 percent of voters developing contrary to the terms.

But that vote does not mean that Greece isn’t prepared to negotiate. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says that the Greek government is still willing to help make some changes to be able to receive assistance from Europe, and requested a three-year loan from the eurozone’s bailout fund on Wednesday.