Cyprus: gambling regulation and licensing
Republic of Cyprus
- Online sports bettingRegulated
- Online casinoProhibited
- Online pokerProhibited
- Online bingoProhibited
- Land-based (reference)Regulated
- Regulator
- National Betting Authority
- Headline tax
- 13% GGR
- Licence required
- Not yet verified
- Last verified
- 30 Aug 2026
Summary
Cyprus is a licensed betting market with a deliberately narrow perimeter, and the gap between what it licenses and what it hosts is the thing to understand. The Betting Law of 2012 created the National Betting Authority and two licence classes: Class A for betting in licensed premises, and Class B for online betting. Class B expressly excludes casino games, slots and lotteries, so online casino, poker and bingo cannot be licensed in Cyprus at all. That perimeter sits alongside a large corporate presence. Cyprus is one of the most common European bases for iGaming holding companies, affiliates and B2B suppliers serving other markets, drawn by the corporate regime rather than by a gambling licence. Being established in Cyprus and being licensed to serve Cypriot players are different things, and a company registered in Limassol is usually doing the former. A Class A or Class B licence carries a fee of 30,000 euros for one year or 45,000 euros for two.
Key facts
- Regulator
- National Betting Authority (NBA)
- Regulator type
- Dedicated regulator
- Headline tax
- 13% GGR
- Licence required
- Not yet verified
- Minimum age
- Not yet verified
- Tax base
- Betting tax is charged on gross gaming revenue for licensed operators.
- Capital
- Nicosia
- Currency
- EUR
- Official languages
- Greek, Turkish
Legal framework
Primary statutes
- Year
- 2012
- In force
- Yes
- Summary
- Establishes the National Betting Authority and the Class A (land-based) and Class B (online) betting licence classes. Amended in 2019.
Taxation
- Headline GGR tax
- 13% GGR
- Effective date
- Not yet verified
- Tax base
- Betting tax is charged on gross gaming revenue for licensed operators.
Advertising
- Advertising permitted
- Yes
- Affiliate rules
- Affiliates are not separately licensed. Only holders of a Class A or Class B betting licence may be promoted, and online casino cannot be promoted at all.
- Penalties for breach
- The National Betting Authority supervises the regime and acts against unlicensed supply and its promotion.
Restrictions
- Betting is licensed and supervised by the National Betting Authority, and only licensed operators may be promoted.
- Online casino games are prohibited in Cyprus, so there is no lawful online casino product to advertise even though betting is licensed.
- Promotion of unlicensed operators is prohibited, and the Authority maintains enforcement against them.
- Advertising must not be directed at minors.
Outlook
The unlicensable verticals are the question to watch. A jurisdiction that hosts a substantial industry while refusing to license most of its products has an obvious policy tension, and pressure to widen the Class B perimeter recurs. Nothing has been enacted.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you get an online casino licence in Cyprus?
- No. The Class B licence created by the Betting Law of 2012 covers online betting but expressly excludes casino games, slots and lotteries.
- Who regulates betting in Cyprus?
- The National Betting Authority, established under the Betting Law of 2012.
Sources
- National Betting Authority
National Betting Authority (Cyprus)
Tier 1Accessed 22 Aug 2026