Is online gambling legal in Cyprus?
Status of online casinos, the regulator, the minimum age and where to get help, with our sources and the date we checked them.
Short answer
Online casino play is illegal in Cyprus for all operators, and players who take part face criminal penalties. The minimum age to gamble is 18.
Legal overview
Online gambling in Cyprus is governed by the Betting Law of 2019 (Law 37(I)/2019), as amended in 2020 and 2024, and supervised by the National Betting Authority (NBA). The law allows betting through licensed operators: Class A licences cover betting at physical premises and Class B licences cover online betting. Online casino games are not licensable, and the NBA states that the operation of online casinos is strictly prohibited. Lotteries and certain other games of chance fall under separate legislation.
The country's only legal casino gaming is land-based. It is regulated by the Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission under the Casino Operations and Control Laws of 2015 to 2022, which define a minor as anyone under 21 and bar minors from casino games.
The NBA keeps a public register of licensed operators and publishes a blocking list of unlicensed betting websites. Under Article 79 of the Betting Law, players who take part in illegal gambling or online casinos face up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to €50,000, and those who provide illegal gambling services face up to five years and/or €300,000. Offshore online casinos therefore cannot legally serve players in Cyprus, and a foreign licence offers no protection under Cypriot law. Since February 2024 the NBA's national self-exclusion platform lets players exclude themselves from licensed online betting operators.
| Status | Restricted market |
|---|---|
| Regulator | National Betting Authority |
| Main law | Betting Law of 2019 (Ο περί Στοιχημάτων Νόμος του 2019, Law 37(I)/2019); Casino Operations and Control Laws of 2015 to 2022 (land-based casino) |
| Licensing model | Limited licensing for betting only: the National Betting Authority issues Class A (premises) and Class B (online) betting licences; online casino games cannot be licensed. |
| Online casinos | Online casino play is illegal in Cyprus for all operators, and players who take part face criminal penalties. |
| Enforcement | The National Betting Authority publishes a blocking list of unlicensed and illegal betting websites, and players of illegal online casinos face up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to €50,000. |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Currency | EUR |
| Self-exclusion scheme | National Self-Exclusion Platform |
| Last checked | October 25, 2026 |
FAQ
Are online casinos legal in Cyprus?
No. Only licensed sports betting is allowed online, and the National Betting Authority states that operating online casinos is strictly prohibited.
Can players be punished for using an online casino?
Yes. Article 79 of the Betting Law provides for up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to €50,000 for players of illegal gambling or online casinos.
How do I exclude myself from betting sites in Cyprus?
Register on the National Betting Authority's National Self-Exclusion Platform at exclusion.cy, which applies to licensed online betting operators.
Help and self-exclusion in Cyprus
Free, confidential support: National Betting Authority – Safer Gambling
Self-exclusion: National Self-Exclusion Platform
Sources
- nba.gov.cy
- nba.gov.cy/rythmistiko-plesio/nomothesia/
- nba.gov.cy/en/?p=13299
- exclusion.cy/
- safergambling.gov.cy/en/?p=1064
- cyprus-mail.com/2024/02/20/players-can-now-exclude-themselves-from-online-betting-platforms
- cgc.org.cy/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/English-law-The-Casino-Operations-and-Control-Laws-of-2015-to-2022.pdf
- agplaw.com/cyprus-betting-law-faq/
This overview is editorial information, not legal advice. Laws change; the regulator's own publications are binding.