President’s opening speech during the 6th Safer Gambling Conference
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our journey started in 2015 and it keeps on with the same passion. Eight years ago, we were called upon to manage a new institution with efficiency and transparency, aiming to bring institutional order to a chaotic scene. We were called upon to lead a highly complex and demanding industry and to steer it in a direction of transparency and security, enabling to contribute to economic growth while strengthening the social fabric.
It is worth mentioning that when we started, gambling was considered a taboo topic in the Cypriot society. Despite the increased participation in gambling, the stigma was evident, especially when the player presented problematic behaviour.
We had to take the necessary steps to ensure that gambling participation ceased to be a guilty family secret, setting it in a framework with rules and regulations. We had to initiate a long process of awareness raising and education on how to set and how not to exceed one’s limits on gambling.
From the very beginning we acknowledged gambling as part of our culture. Besides, our latest nationwide survey indicates that more than half of Cypriots engage in gambling.
Therefore, we had to remain focused on our mission: Read more →
