Cyprus Casinos
Online Casinos in Cyprus
Online casinos in Cyprus sit firmly on the wrong side of the law. Under the Betting Law of 2012, the National Betting Authority licenses only online sports betting through its Class B framework, while online casino games such as slots, roulette and live dealer tables are prohibited and unlicensed. The separate Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission oversees the land based integrated resort but has no remit over online play. For players this means there is no legal, locally regulated way to play online slots or table games in Cyprus, a position the authorities have repeatedly confirmed for 2026.
Are online casinos legal in Cyprus?
No. Online casino games are illegal in Cyprus and are not licensed or regulated by any local authority. The National Betting Authority licenses online sports betting only, under the Betting Law of 2012, and it maintains a blocking list of thousands of sites that offer prohibited casino services. Draft legislation to legalise online casinos has been discussed during 2026, but nothing has been enacted, so the ban remains fully in force.
What the Law Actually Permits in Cyprus
The Cypriot framework draws a sharp line between betting and casino gaming. The National Betting Authority issues two licence types: Class A for land based betting and Class B for online sports betting. Both cover wagering on sporting events, and well known brands such as Bet365, Stoiximan and Winmasters hold Class B licences to operate legally on .com.cy domains. What no licence covers is online casino play. Slot machines, roulette, blackjack and live dealer games are explicitly excluded from the Class B scope and cannot be offered to players located in Cyprus.
Enforcement is active rather than theoretical. The NBA publishes a regularly updated blocking list naming thousands of domains that provide illegal casino or poker services, and payment and access to those sites can be restricted. The Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission, which regulates the City of Dreams Mediterranean integrated resort and its satellite venues, has stated plainly that it has no jurisdiction over online casinos and that such sites are illegal and unregulated on the island.
There has been genuine movement in 2026. Draft bills to introduce a licensed online casino category have circulated through parliamentary committees, and the industry widely expects eventual reform. For now, though, nothing has been enacted. If you want to understand how regulated markets elsewhere work in the meantime, our guide to the best online casinos covers jurisdictions where online play is fully licensed.
Can I legally play online slots in Cyprus?
No. Online slots and other casino games are prohibited in Cyprus and are not licensed by any local authority. Only online sports betting is legal, through a Class B licence issued by the National Betting Authority, so there is no lawful, locally regulated way to play online slots on the island.
What is the National Betting Authority?
The National Betting Authority (NBA) is the regulator created under the Betting Law of 2012 to license and supervise betting in Cyprus. It issues Class A land based and Class B online licences for sports betting, monitors compliance, and maintains a public blocking list of illegal gambling sites, including online casinos.
Is online sports betting legal in Cyprus?
Yes. Online sports betting is legal when offered by an operator holding a Class B licence from the NBA on an approved .com.cy domain. Licensed brands include names such as Bet365, Stoiximan and Winmasters, all of which operate under Cypriot supervision for betting only, not casino games.
Will online casinos become legal in Cyprus?
Possibly, but not yet. Draft bills to introduce a regulated online casino category circulated through parliamentary committees during 2026, and reform is widely expected over time. As of now nothing has been enacted, and the government has signalled no immediate timetable, so players should treat any change as prospective.
The Author
The Author
Site Admin