Online Casinos in Cyprus

The Legal Landscape for Online Casinos in Cyprus

Online casino gambling isn't licensed in the Republic of Cyprus. That covers slots, roulette, blackjack, live dealer tables, and poker. Online sports betting with a licensed operator is legal, though, and so is playing in a land-based casino. The law cares about the medium, not the game. A roulette table in a Limassol casino is legal. Put the same table on a website, and it isn't.

The Betting Law and the National Betting Authority

Cyprus has a domestic online market, but it only covers betting. The National Betting Authority (NBA) was set up in 2012 and now works under the Betting Law of 2019 (Law 37(I)/2019). It issues two kinds of license. Class A is for land-based betting shops, and Class B is for online betting.

The Class B license rules out slot machines, online casino games, electronic horse racing, and online poker. Betting exchanges and spread betting are banned as well. Licensed online bookmakers run on “.com.cy” domains. The market isn't small, either. Regulated betting turnover went past €1.3 billion in 2025, about 8% up on 2024, and online betting now makes up the biggest share.

One License, One Resort: The Casino Law

Land-based casinos have their own regulator, the Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission, which works under the Casino Operation and Supervision Law of 2015. In 2017, the government gave a single casino license to a consortium led by a Macau-based operator. The license runs for 30 years, and the first 15 are exclusive.

The flagship venue, an integrated resort in Limassol, opened in July 2023. It's marketed as Europe's largest casino resort. The same company runs three smaller casinos in Nicosia, Ayia Napa, and Paphos. You have to be 21 or over to get in, and you'll need photo ID plus a free membership card.

The Blocking List and What It Means for Players

The NBA keeps a public blocking list of websites that don't hold a Class B license. It includes sites offering online casino games, poker, betting exchanges, and spread betting, and internet providers have to block them. There are many offshore casinos licensed in other countries that still accept players from Cyprus. Cypriot law doesn't recognize them. If you choose to play at one, go in knowing that.

How We Pick Sites for Cyprus Casino Players

There's no local casino license to rely on, so our own checks have to do the job a domestic regulator normally would. We built the criteria below around how people in Cyprus prefer to play and make online transactions.

1

License and Complaint Track Record

We only list sites with a valid license we can verify ourselves. Then we look at how each one deals with player complaints and withdrawal disputes. If something goes wrong with an offshore site, no Cypriot regulator will step in. That makes an operator's payout record far more important.

2

Banking That Works with Cypriot Accounts

We prefer sites that offer EUR accounts and don't charge conversion fees. We also test whether the methods Cypriots use most work both ways, for deposits and for withdrawals. That means bank cards, banking apps, and e-wallets. Some Cypriot banks may turn down gambling payments to unlicensed merchants. That's why it helps to have more than one working option on your account.

3

Greek-Language Play and Support

Greek is the main language in the Republic, although plenty of people speak English. Sites get extra credit from us for a Greek interface, Greek-speaking support staff, or support hours that suit Cyprus time. The island runs on Eastern European Time (UTC+2) and moves to UTC+3 in summer. A live chat that answers at lunchtime here is worth more than one staffed for another continent.

4

Sportsbook and Casino Under One Roof

Betting is the most common legal form of gambling in Cyprus, and most of it is on football. So hybrid sites score higher with us when their sportsbook covers the Cypriot First Division and Greek football, as well as the big European leagues. If you already follow local football, a platform with nothing but the Premier League and La Liga won't do much for you.

Online Casino Bonuses Cypriot Players Will Find

There are many international casinos that compete for players from Cyprus. Bonuses are usually offered in EUR currency. Remember to look beyond just the bonus amount advertised. You need to check wagering requirements, max bet allowed, and withdrawal limits. Wagering tends to be anywhere between 30x-45x on these casino sites. So you can go by this when comparing different bonuses.

Welcome Deposit Bonus

A welcome deposit match will give you extra money equal to a percentage of your first deposit. Or sometimes your first couple of deposits. A common example of this would be 100% up to €200. That means if you deposit €200, you'll have €400 to play with. There will most likely be a minimum deposit required, which can be anywhere from €10 to €20.

Free Spins

Free spins will typically be attached to a deposit that you make. Still, sometimes, you can get no-deposit free spins as well just for signing up. Operators will most likely specify what games you can play them on. Any winnings you gain from your free spins may come with a wagering requirement on them.

Weekly Cashbacks

Cashbacks will give you back a certain percentage of your net loss. This is usually on a weekly basis, but some are daily. Cashback offers can have no wagering requirements or very low ones, which allows you to better assess these bonuses. So, it is better to think of them as a cushion when you have a losing streak; they will not turn losses into profit.

Reload and Loyalty Bonuses

Reload bonuses allow you to receive bonus money on future deposits after depleting the welcome promotion. They are typically lower than what a welcome bonus would give you. On the other hand, loyalty programs usually give you certain points as you climb higher. They may also include perks like quicker withdrawal times or even an account manager. Again, keep in mind these are there to benefit those who spend more. There is no bonus you should be overspending your limit to get.

Getting Started at Cyprus Online Casinos

Signing up at an online casino site takes about ten minutes, and most require you to be 18 or older. Here are the usual steps to take to get started:

Estimated Time 5 MinTools Needed Mobile, Computer, iPadSupplies Needed Time, Money

Step 1

Choose a Site from Our List

Compare the sites on our list by how they handle EUR banking and by their bonus terms, not just the size of the bonus. Check the full terms before you register. Pay special attention to the wagering and max bet clauses, so nothing catches you off guard at the cashier.

Step 2

Register and Verify Your Identity

First you fill in your personal details. The site will ask for ID documents later. A Cypriot ID card or passport is fine, along with proof of address such as a recent utility bill. Get verified early, before you win anything. Otherwise, a document check can hold up your first withdrawal.

Step 3

Make Your First Deposit

Pick a reliable payment method and check its minimum deposit. Only opt in to the bonus if you actually want it. This is also a good time to set a deposit limit. Most sites have them in the account settings, and it's easier to set one now than later.

Step 4

Play Games and Withdraw Winnings

Keep an eye on your wagering progress if you have an active bonus. When the site allows it, withdraw with the same method you used to deposit. How fast the money arrives depends on the method and on how quickly your verification clears.

Tax Rules on Gambling Winnings in Cyprus

In Cyprus, winnings from licensed gambling generally aren't subject to personal income tax. The tax falls on operators instead. Licensed bookmakers pay a 10% betting tax on net revenue, plus a 5% statutory contribution. Lottery-style prizes are the main exception. A 20% tax applies to winnings over €5,000 from national and state lottery games.

However, offshore casino winnings are harder to pin down. They come from activity the law doesn't recognize, so there's no clear rule that works for the player. If you land a big win, we recommend talking to a Cypriot tax adviser.

Paying and Cashing Out from Cyprus Casinos

Everything runs in EUR here, and card and app banking are well established. Still, each casino accepts a different mix of payment methods. Withdrawal times depend on the method you pick and on the site's own checks. Look at the cashier page before you deposit.

Visa and Mastercard

Visa and Mastercard are the options most Cypriots already know, and debit cards from local banks are widely used. Deposits usually go through instantly. Card withdrawals are slower and often take several business days after approval. Some banks block payments to gambling merchants, so a card that works for a deposit might not work for a payout. Keep a second method ready just in case.

Revolut

Revolut is hugely popular in Cyprus for everyday spending and travel. At most casinos it doesn't appear as its own cashier option. Instead, you pay with your Revolut card, the same way you would with any other Visa or Mastercard. Acceptance and Revolut's own policies can change, so check the cashier first rather than assuming it will work everywhere.

Skrill

Skrill is one of the most widely accepted e-wallets at online casinos. Withdrawals tend to be faster than with cards. Your bank details also stay out of the casino's hands, since the site only sees your Skrill account. One common catch is that some casinos exclude Skrill deposits from their welcome bonus. Read the bonus terms before you fund your account with it.

PaysafeCard

PaysafeCard is a prepaid voucher, so you can only spend what's loaded on it. That makes it a good fit if you want a hard spending cap. At most sites, though, it only works for deposits. You'll need a second method to withdraw any winnings, and it's worth setting that up before you make your first deposit.

Crypto Options

There are many crypto casinos accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and more. Transfers are quick and don't need a bank's approval, which helps if your bank tends to decline gambling payments. There are downsides too. Prices move, a transaction can't be reversed once it's sent, and some sites accept nothing but crypto. Crypto gains may also have tax consequences in Cyprus, so get local advice before you treat it like ordinary banking.

What Casino Games Cypriots Like to Play Online

Cyprus has a strong poker and live casino culture, and it carries over into online play. The island has hosted major live poker events. That goes some way to explaining why poker-style and live dealer games are favorites here, alongside slots and crash games. The table below shows the categories Cypriot players lean toward at online casinos, with the studios and titles behind them.

Online Casinos vs. Land-Based Venues in Cyprus

Which side comes out ahead depends on what you care about most. Game choice, lower stakes, casino promotions, and convenience favor online play. Dispute recourse and atmosphere favor the licensed casino floor. The table below puts offshore online play side by side with regulated in-person play.

Responsible Gambling in Cyprus

The NBA runs safergambling.gov.cy in Greek and English. The site has safer gambling information and a "Get Help and Support" section that points people to treatment programs. You can also call the NBA call center on +357 22 881800.

Many of the most useful tools are already in your casino account, including deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion. It also helps to treat online gambling services as paid entertainment with a fixed budget, not as a way to make money. Take warning signs seriously, such as chasing losses or borrowing money to keep playing.

Offshore players should know one more thing. These sites aren't part of any Cypriot self-exclusion scheme, so a national block won't reach them. If you want a limit or an exclusion to stick, you'll have to set it up on each site with that site's own tools.

Final Words: What's Next for Cyprus Casino Sites?

For now, the picture is clear: the NBA licenses betting, one operator holds land-based casino gambling, and online casino games are still outside the law. What comes next is less certain. In October 2025, the Cyprus Online Gaming Association publicly called for online casinos to be legalized. As of mid-2026, draft proposals were reported to still be at the committee stage, and nothing had passed. In August 2026, the NBA also announced plans to license B2B gambling suppliers for the first time. That's a supply-side step, well short of legalizing online casinos. The land-based operator's 15-year exclusivity started in 2017 so that the market could open up in the early 2030s.