Crypto Casino
Torrent Gear
Legal: sports betting, lotteries, casinos
The Republic of Cyprus has consistently built a "white" gambling market from three legal segments: sports betting, lotteries and land casinos. Betting and lotteries have been streamlined before, and in 2015 the country legalised casinos on an integrated resort (IR) model with a network of satellite lounges. As a result, today there is an understandable architecture: transparent licenses, strict KYC/AML compliance and an emphasis on Responsible Gaming.
1) Regulatory framework: who is responsible for what
Betting (retail and online): Regulates the National Betting Authority (NBA) under the Betting Law of 2012, with subsequent amendments.
Lotteries: separate legal regime and own supervision system (state and concession models).
Casinos (land-based): special laws and a separate oversight body have been in place since 2015; model - integrated resort + satellites in large cities.
2) What exactly is legal
Sports betting. Allowed in retail and online with a license. For operators - technical certification of platforms, geocontrol, logging and reporting.
Lotteries. State and/or concession products (circulation, instant) with strict certification and transparent drawing rules.
Casino (since 2015). Land-based casinos are allowed: one integrated resort as anchor + a network of satellite casinos (satellites) in key cities. Gaming tables, slots, VIP zones - everything is within the framework of certification of equipment and procedures.
3) Licenses and market entry (in general terms)
Rates: separate licenses for offline operator and online activities. Required: transparently issued beneficiaries, capital/guarantees, KYC/AML procedures, DR/BCP plans, transaction logging.
Lotteries: licensing/concessions, approved rules of games, circulation reporting, protection of chance and payments.
Casino: IR + concession model satellite permits; rigid construction, those and RG standards, constant checks.
4) Age thresholds and access
Bets/lotteries: usually 18 + with mandatory verification.
Casino (land): 21 + to enter play areas and participate in the game.
Everywhere KYC operates until a full-fledged game and conclusions: confirmation of identity/age, address, sources of funds upon request.
5) Responsible Gaming (RG) and Player Defense
Limits and pause: deposits/losses/session time for online bets - available "in one click"; self-exclusion and "cool-off" are mandatory.
Info stands and staff training: in betting stations and casinos visible RG materials; employees are trained to recognize risks.
Advertising: neutral tonality, prohibition of teenage aesthetics and promises of "easy money," labeling "18 +" and "Play responsibly."
6) Online vs offline: A clear line
Online: only bets (prematch/live) from licensed operators are legal; the platform is undergoing technical certification, telemetry and reporting are underway.
Offline: casinos and lotteries - terrestrial formats under separate supervision; The IR resort is complemented by a network of satellites in cities.
Such a "fork" reduces risks and simplifies control, preserving the tourist product of the casino and "clean" online betting.
7) Taxes, contributions and economy (framework)
For each segment, there is a tax on GGR/contributions and reporting; part of the funds is directed to sports, RG programs and the work of regulators.
The IR model creates jobs (construction, hotel, F&B, events, security) and stimulates tourism all year round.
8) Fighting the illegal segment
Blacklists of domains and blocking access to unlicensed sites.
Sanctions: fines, suspension/revocation of license, criminal liability in severe cases.
Communication with citizens: lists of allowed operators, educational RG campaigns.
9) What it means for the player and the business
Player: understandable choice of "white" brands, protected payments, available limits/pause/self-exclusion, transparent rules.
Operator: clear licensing path, predictable supervision, requirements for technical reliability, advertising and RG.
State: risk control, sustainable fiscal revenues, tourism and employment multiplier.
10) Looking ahead (until 2030)
Model stabilization: online betting + land casinos/lotteries; strengthening digital surveillance and RG analytics.
Tourism and IR: The integrated resort and satellite network will continue to pull MICE events, gastronomy and evening leisure.
Innovation under control: possible payment tokenization pilots - only in a licensed environment, without the admission of an "anonymous" online casino.
Conclusion: In the Republic of Cyprus, three key segments are legal and clearly regulated: sports betting, lotteries and land casinos (since 2015). The model separates online and offline, strengthens player protection and supports tourism and employment - which is why the Cypriot system is considered transparent, sustainable and understandable for all market participants.