There are several laws regulating betting in Cyprus from the manner of administration of the institutions providing betting services to the offences of legal and natural persons. This article outlines the betting related operations regulated by the Betting Law 2019 that repealed the Betting Law of 2012 and integrated the Directive (EU) 2015/1535.
Under the Betting Law 2019 (37(I)/2019):
1) The National Betting Authority (NBA) is established. This body maintains several important competencies that anyone interested in betting services should be aware of. These can be summarised as follows:
a) Preparation of new regulations and provision of feedback for current betting laws.
b) Issuing Directives to prevent money laundering and be vigilant of other illegal
activities related to betting.
c) Processing and issuing licenses for betting-related purposes and supervision of license holders.
d) Collaborating with national and international bodies to:
i) Protect young and vulnerable people.
ii) Review implementation and compliance of laws and regulations.
e) Preparing reports and studies on betting-related matters followed by suggestions for amendments to existing laws.
f) Maintaining a code of practice, establishing a complaint submission system and distributing sanctions when necessary.
g) Evaluating the tax regime in place and handling compulsory monetary contributions as the law dictates.
h) Keeping internet service providers updated about illegally operating online betting services.
2) Betting services may only be provided by persons licensed by the NBA and in premises licensed by the NBA. The NBA processes such license applications along with the payment of a set fee. These licenses are divided into 4 categories:
a) Class A bookmaker’s license for all betting services excluding those falling under Class B and horse-racing betting.
b) Class B bookmaker’s license for all betting services conducted online excluding slot machines, online casino games and online horse-racing betting.
c) Class A bookmaker authorised agent’s license for the provision of betting services on behalf of a Class A bookmaker.
d) Premises’ license.
3) The fee for a license must be paid along with the submission of the application and in case the license is not granted, only 75% of the paid amount will be returned. The exact relevant fees can be found in the Betting (Payable Fees) Regulations of 2019 (R.A.A.84/2019) and are as follows:
a) Class A and B bookmaker’s license:
i) For 1 year: €30,000.
ii) For 2 years: €45,000.
b) Class A authorised agent license:
i) For 1 year: €2,000.
ii) For 2 years: €3,000.
iii) If a relevant Class A bookmaker’s license is still active, the fee is set to €170 per month until the Class A bookmaker’s license expires.
c) License for 2 or more premises (first premises is free of charge):
i) For 1 year: €2,000.
ii) For 2 years: €3,000.
iii) If a relevant Class A bookmaker’s license is still active, the fee is set to €170 per month per premises excluding the first premises until the license expires, in addition to the 1 or 2 years fee listed above.
4) Regarding Class A betting through betting slips:
a) A computerised betting slip system must be in place and the Class A bookmaker must provide all relevant information to the NBA.
b) The computerised system may only be used after an application describing its particular operation is submitted and approved by the NBA. The approval can be of the first application instance or after the NBA has proposed amendments and the applicant made them.
c) The NBA is responsible for conducting inspections of the computerised system and imposing sanctions or directions where necessary, also acting on complaints it receives.
5) Regarding Class B online betting:
a) For people to participate they need to have a registered account. In the registration they must include:
i) Confirmation that they are over 18 years old.
ii) Their identity details.
iii) Their home address.
iv) A valid email address.
v) Confirmation that they have been informed of the terms, manner of conduct and possible payments for the bet.
b) A bet cannot exceed the available funds of a player’s account.
c) Payout of winnings must only be done:
i) After the verification of the player’s identity, age and home address and general registration requirements.
ii) Within 5 working days of a payout request.
iii) Only by transfer or deposit of the amount to the bank account that provided the money for the winning bet.
d) Internet service providers are required to block online betting websites that do not hold a Class B bookmaker’s license within 72 hours of being notified by the NBA.
6) For Class A betting services, a license for premises will most likely be needed if the interested party wants to operate their business.
a) This license includes:
i) The premises where the betting services will be taking place.
ii) The legal or natural person for whom the license is issued.
iii) The residential and work address of the person applying for the license.
iv) Any conditions imposed by the NBA after it reviews the application.
b) The license holder of the premises must keep at a noticeable location the following information:
i) The premises license.
ii) A sign in Greek, Turkish and English prohibiting entrance to minors.
iii) The terms and conditions under which betting services are provided as directed by the NBA, in Greek, Turkish and English.
c) The licensed premises may at any time be entered for inspection of the implementation of legislation, regulations and directives by:
i) The Cyprus Police.
ii) Representatives of the NBA.
iii) People authorised by the Minister of Finance.
iv) People authorised by any other law.
Failure to comply with any laws, regulations, directives and codes of practice can result in license suspensions or revocations, monetary sanctions and criminal offences carrying fines or imprisonment.
Relevant sources: National Betting Authority:
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