Recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) appear in some cases to be spending welfare payments on gambling, prompting discussions in parliament about how social benefits can be used for their intended purpose.
Even more alarming were concerns raised by Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (KYSOA) president Themis Anthopoulou, who spoke of people with psychosocial disabilities and addictions using their benefits to purchase drugs.
The issues were discussed before the House Audit Committee during examination of a special report by the Audit Office on the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
Restrictions on casinos and betting under discussion
Particular attention was given to the participation of GMI recipients in gambling activities.
Haris Tsaggaridis, executive director of the National Gaming and Casino Supervision Authority, said the authority had identified increased participation in gaming activities around the time GMI payments are issued since early 2023.
The findings prompted discussions with the Welfare Benefits Management Service (YDEP) and the development of a technical solution that would allow checks when casino membership cards are issued.
Using an identity card number, the system would determine whether an individual receives GMI benefits and return only a simple “yes” or “no” response, without sharing any additional personal data.
The proposal has not yet been implemented because there is currently no legal basis allowing it to operate.
In the online betting sector, the National Betting Authority said that eight out of ten players now gamble online.
A self-exclusion platform has been in operation since 2024 and, provided the necessary legal framework is adopted, GMI recipients could technically be added to the system immediately.
However, the authority warned that any restrictions must avoid pushing vulnerable individuals towards illegal gambling markets.
Benefits being used to fund addictions
Anthopoulou argued that the issue extends beyond GMI recipients and gambling.
She referred to cases involving people with mental health disabilities and substance dependence who spend their disability benefits on obtaining drugs shortly after receiving their payments.
As a result, some are left without financial support within days.
She called for a broader and more holistic approach to addressing the problem.
Long waits for medical boards
The discussion also highlighted significant delays in the operation of medical assessment boards due to difficulties recruiting doctors.
Depending on whether an assessment concerns work capacity or disability status, waiting periods have now reached four to five months.
Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare Director-General Yiannis Nikolaides described the medical boards as a “major problem”, warning that the situation is likely to worsen following recent legislation expanding eligibility for disability benefits.
“Until now, benefits were received by people with more severe forms of disability. With the changes to the legislation and the increase in beneficiaries, there is a problem,” Nikolaides said.
Proposal for a different system
DISY MP Giorgos Pamboridis suggested exploring an alternative model under which applicants could submit certifications from private doctors.
Under his proposal, strict penalties would apply in cases of false certification, while the relevant authorities would conduct random checks to verify compliance.
He argued that such a system could help ease pressure on the existing medical assessment process.
