In an era of rapid technological advancement, tackling illegality in the betting and gambling sector has become increasingly complex. The National Betting Authority (NBA) is stepping up its efforts to combat the illegal market while strengthening the safety net that protects players and society - particularly vulnerable groups - from problematic gambling behaviour.
In an interview with Politis to the Point, the President of the Authority, Panagiotis Trisokkas, discussed the NBA's strategic priorities, the sector’s current challenges, and the new regulatory bill proposed by the Authority, which is expected to significantly modernise the sector. He also outlined this year’s 8th Safe Gambling Week, taking place from 13–19 October, which focuses on youth with the powerful slogan:
“It’s safer to travel to Mars than to gamble without limits!”
1. The betting and gambling market in Cyprus is constantly evolving. What are the most pressing issues the NBA faces in regulating the sector today?
The numbers speak for themselves. Thanks in large part to the work of the NBA, betting has evolved into a key pillar of Cyprus’ economic development. In 2024 alone, betting revenue accounted for 3.65% of GDP.
However, the illegal market remains the sector’s biggest challenge. For this reason, the promotion of our new regulatory bill is critical to ensure sustainable growth. The bill aims to guarantee licensed services are offered in a fair and transparent manner. The proposed changes will modernise and enhance the regulatory framework, boost the credibilityof the sector, protect players, and create favourable conditions for attracting foreign investment.
2. What is the status of the new bill, and what changes will it bring for providers and players?
The NBA has completed its work on the bill. Our primary goal is to ensure gambling does not become a source of criminal activity or black-market operations. The legislation introduces key innovations, such as new products, B2B licensing, financial blocking of illegal operators, and tougher obligations on licensees regarding safe gambling practices.
It also puts strong emphasis on protecting minors, introducing safeguards to prevent underage participation and highlighting the responsibility of families in prevention efforts.

3. This is the 8th annual Safe Gambling Week. What’s different about this year’s programme and what are its key features?
Safe Gambling Week is the NBA’s flagship awareness campaign. It focuses on informing, sensitising, and mobilising all stakeholders involved in gambling. This year’s programme includes experiential workshops, interactive seminars, and educational games aimed at raising awareness about the risks of problematic gambling.
We aim to strengthen the safety net for both players and society. Our core message remains clear: Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to chase easy money.
4. The Safe Gambling Conference opens the week’s events. What are the main themes this year?
As always, Safe Gambling Week opens with the Conference, a platform for exchanging ideas on the sector’s present, future, and sustainable development.
This year, we are focusing on:
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Problem gambling and pathways to support and treatment,
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The needs of Generation Z for safe and responsible gaming experiences,
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Protecting young people and vulnerable groups,
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And cutting-edge strategies and technologies, especially AI, for detecting risky behaviour.
We’ll also highlight how European standards for safe gambling are being implemented.
5. This year’s campaign particularly targets young people. Why focus on this age group and what message are you hoping to convey?
The 2025 campaign (13–19 October) stands out for its youth-oriented tone. Young people are a key target group for the NBA, and our slogan says it all:
“It’s safer to go to Mars than to gamble without limits!”
Through this vivid and relatable message, we want to show that responsible gambling is actually the "cool" choice. We invite the public to engage with Safe Gambling Week and take part in the events and activities.
6. The involvement of minors in gambling is a global concern. How is the NBA addressing this issue in Cyprus?
Cypriot law is clear: No person under 18 is allowed to participate in betting, whether land-based or online. However, some young people attempt to bypass restrictions using adult credentials or digital know-how to access illegal platforms.
This is deeply concerning, as illegal websites lack any safety measures or limits.
At the NBA, minors are a top priority. We enforce:
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Strict age verification,
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Bans on underage access to betting shops,
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Mandatory ID verification upon online registration.
We also conduct regular audits to ensure compliance. When minors use parental details, licensed operators are trained to detect suspicious behaviour and shut down such accounts.
Additionally, we carry out scientific studies at regular intervals to monitor trends and habits, especially among the youth. These insights inform our targeted prevention and education programmes.
7. How important are prevention and education in the NBA’s activities, and how are these efforts implemented?
Prevention and education are the cornerstones of our strategy. The Authority invests over €1 million annually in programmes and campaigns, believing prevention must start early.
Examples include:
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“Alliance for Children and Youth”, in collaboration with the Fairytale Museum, offering support to children, teenagers, and families,
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“Game Brain”, an interactive programme that educates secondary school students about gambling risks,
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“Young Cities”, delivered with the Cyprus Youth Organisation, which promotes skill-building, prevention, and active citizenship among 14–35-year-olds.
8. What are the latest statistics on problematic gambling in Cyprus?
According to the NBA’s nationwide 2022 survey:
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Around 1.5% of the population exhibits problematic gambling behaviour,
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6% are classified as low-risk,
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3.5% as moderate-risk.
These figures help us better understand the scope of the issue and reinforce the need for prevention and responsible participation. Cyprus is aligned with other European countries in terms of prevalence rates.
9. What mechanisms does the NBA use to monitor gambling behaviour in Cyprus, and how does it intervene where necessary?
The NBA systematically monitors betting activity and analyses data to detect potential signs of manipulation or suspicious behaviour. In collaboration with the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA), the Police, and the Ethics and Sports Integrity Committee (EDPA), we receive alerts about potentially suspicious betting.
We then assess these using internal protocols. If necessary, we instruct licensed operators to suspend bets on specific matches, either before or during the event.