Live casinos that are licensed in Cyprus

Gambling Jurisdictions Information for Cyprus

Is gambling in Cyprus legal?

Yes, online gambling in Cyprus is considered legal and Cyprus, which lies within the Mediterranean, is considered a second tier gambling jurisdiction. However, an online gambling ban was proposed to take effect in 2011. Last week, the island decided to delay the ban until at least mid-March 2011. Cyprus has appealed to the European Commission regarding whether it can move forward with the ban. The European Commission will not provide its feedback until March 14.

In general, the EC does not condone the prohibition of online gambling because it believes a ban affects laws regarding international commerce. Like Portugal, Cyprus has requested the ban on the grounds that it is needed due to the high risk of crime within the country. There may be something to the claim of crime as it was recently reported that criminal gangs with ties to Internet gambling within the island nation have exercised violence in attempting to collect outstanding debts. Some debtors are brutally attacked and held hostage within their own homes.

What is the regulating organization in Cyprus jurisdiction?

A law, currently in draft form, requests that a licensing authority be established to issue permits and also regulate which type of gambling is permitted.

What are the laws and legal system pertaining to Cyprus gambling?

There are currently no physical casinos located in Cyprus, but gamblers have managed to exploit a legal loophole. This resulted in online gambling via overseas providers going virtually unregulated. In 2004, a UK-based law firm specializing in licensing began working with the Cypriot government on a new Internet gambling legislative framework. This move came after research revealed that the government was losing approximately £30 million annually in revenue each year due to untaxed illegal gambling activity.

A bill submitted to Parliament in 2006 was rejected. One year later, the government again because working on a bill that imposed stricter standards regarding licensing, specifically focusing on tax revenue and underage gambling. Currently, the European Commission is working on a bill that modifies Cypriot gambling laws. Police hope that the current Parliament will pass the law, enabling them to deal with unlicensed and illegal online gambling sites.

New legislation will permit sports betting but outlaw games like roulette, slots, and poker played online. Licensed gambling establishments will need to pay a percentage tax on turnover. If taxes become delinquent, operations will be shut down until the overdue taxes are paid or a court determination is made. In addition, player winnings will need to be secured by bank guarantees.

What are the licensing requirements for a website to use Cyprus as its base of operations?

I would say that at this time, there is no licensing requirements for Cyprus. It is important to check the online gaming site out in detail to ensure that they are using legitimate agencies to monitor their operations.

Is there any customer dispute legislation for Cyprus gambling?

See below

Who do I contact if I have a problem with a casino in this jurisdiction?

Maybe try contacting this agency, but start with the operating site

What should I look for in a gambling website operating out of Cyprus?

The jurisdiction of Cyprus claims to uphold high standards regarding vetting of license applications and player protection. However, it does not meet the standards of a top tier jurisdiction. Though most of the casinos operating from Cyprus should be regarded as honest, there can always be an exception. Individuals should research the casino thoroughly prior to depositing any money with it.