Online gambling law and regulation in Cyprus

The applicable legislation in Cyprus is the Law Providing for the Regulation of Betting and Related Matters, Law 37(I)/2019, as amended. There are also additional Regulations, such as (a) the Regulations for the protection of players, minors and pathological players, (b) the Code of Advertising, (c) the Betting (Payable Fees) Regulations and (d) the Regulations on Betting in relation to Applications and Statements.

Gambling services can be provided only by a person who holds a licence issued by the National Betting Authority.  The National Betting Authority issues the following types of licenses:

1. a Class A bookmaker’s licence authorising the provision of services to conduct bets at licensed premises, excluding Class B betting services and horse-racing betting;
2. a Class B bookmaker’s licence authorising the provision of electronic betting services, excluding slot machines, online casino games and electronic horse-racing betting;
3. a Class A bookmaker authorised agent’s licence authorising the provision of services to conduct bets on behalf of a Class A bookmaker at licensed premises, excluding Class B betting services and horse-racing betting.

[1] Only online betting is permitted in Cyprus; not online gambling in general. Also, only sports betting and betting on events involving human actors are permitted, so some betting such as on virtual games for example is not permitted.

[2] Online betting on horse racing is prohibited