Preparing for 2025: Navigating Cyprus’s Evolving Betting and Gaming Regulations
As the regulated betting and gaming industry in Cyprus continues to mature, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year — not just for operators, but for all stakeholders in the sector. The Betting Law of 2019, which governs both land-based and online betting activity, has introduced a more structured, demanding regulatory environment. Yet, many operators are still playing catch-up — not due to bad intentions, but due to a lack of understanding of what full compliance actually entails.
Having worked for years in the legal and compliance field, I see one trend repeat itself: betting businesses often underestimate the legal depth and regulatory complexity of the industry. This article is a brief preview of what we’ll cover in my upcoming training sessions — designed to guide professionals through the real-world application of the law and their obligations under it.
A Law with Structure — and Teeth
The Betting Law of 2019 marked a new era for betting regulation in Cyprus. It established the National Betting Authority (NBA) as the competent supervisory authority, granting it significant enforcement powers. The law created two licensing categories — Class A (land-based) and Class B (online) — and imposed a comprehensive set of obligations on licensees, including:
– Operational and financial reporting
– Internal control systems
– Anti-money laundering compliance
– Advertising and marketing restrictions
– Responsible gaming protocols
The law also empowers the NBA to issue binding directives, many of which set out detailed obligations beyond the primary legislation. For example, directives on player protection, technical specifications, and AML procedures are all binding and enforceable.
AML in Practice: A Legal Obligation, Not a Policy Choice
Under both the Betting Law and the Cyprus AML Law, betting operators are considered obliged entities — and must comply with extensive requirements to detect, monitor, and report suspicious activity.
These include:
– Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
– Ongoing monitoring of transactions
– Appointing an AML compliance officer
– Filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to MOKAS
– Implementing a risk-based approach, guided by NBA Directive 10.2021
Failing to implement these controls doesn’t just risk fines — it may lead to license suspension or revocation.
Advertising: Legal Risk in Every Campaign
One of the most misunderstood parts of the law relates to advertising and marketing. The Betting Law and relevant NBA directives prohibit:
– Advertising that targets minors
– Promotions that mislead or exploit vulnerable persons
– Unapproved sponsorships
– Aggressive bonus or cashback campaigns
Operators often rely on outsourced agencies or affiliate marketers, but under the law, the licensee remains responsible for all marketing practices in its name. This legal principle — vicarious liability — is a crucial concept we explore in depth during training.
Why 2025 Demands Legal Fluency, Not Just Good Intentions
The NBA has shown in recent years that it is willing to act — issuing public warnings, conducting audits, and tightening oversight. But enforcement risk is only part of the story. As regulators across the EU align on AML, responsible gaming, data protection, and advertising ethics, betting operators in Cyprus must evolve.
Legal fluency — not just compliance checklists — will define the next generation of successful, sustainable operators.
A Teaser for What’s Coming
In response to the industry’s growing need for practical legal education, in collaboration with ELTC, I will be presenting a series of focused training courses that go beyond theory and address the day-to-day challenges of regulatory compliance in Cyprus:
– Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance in the Betting Industry in Cyprus
– Advertising and Marketing in the Betting Industry in Cyprus
– Introduction to Betting Law and AML in Cyprus
These sessions are designed for legal teams, compliance officers, C-level executives, marketing professionals, and anyone who needs to operate at the intersection of business and betting regulation.
If you’re operating in the industry — or advising those who do — you cannot afford to stay uninformed. What was once considered “best effort” is now legally binding.
Written by Chrysothemi Valanidou, Lawyer/Business Solutions Consultant – Startwise Ltd
