Below you may find frequently asked questions addressed to the Authority by regulated persons as well as the corresponding answers derived from the content of the sections of the Betting Law of 2019, Law N. 37(Ι)/2019.
1. What is the National Betting Authority (NBA)?
The National Betting Authority (NBA) was established in 2012 and is governed by the Betting Law of 2019 (Law 37 (I) 2019). It is an independent administrative authority with financial independence and autonomy. Its main responsibility is the licensing and supervision of the betting activity on sports or other events.
2. Which services and betting activities does the Authority licence?
The Authority issues the following licences for land-based and online betting:
- the provision of carrying out betting services within licensed premises excluding online betting services and horse racing betting (land-based betting);
- the provision of electronic betting services excluding slot machines, on-line casino games of chance provided with a direct link and electronic horse racing (online betting)
3. What classes of Licences are issued by the Authority?
The Authority issues the following Classes of Licences:
- Class A bookmaker’s licence (land-based betting)
- Class B bookmaker’s licence (online betting)
- Class A authorised representative’s licence
- Licence for premises.
4. What are the requirements for an application for the issuance or renewal of a Class A and B bookmaker’s licence?
An application for the issuance or renewal of a Class A or B bookmaker’s licence may only be submitted by a company with shares:
- that is established either in the Republic or abroad and which has a branch in the Republic of Cyprus (registered at the Department of Registrar of Companies as a domestic or foreign company, respectively) and its main activity is the provision of betting services
- that has share capital of at least five hundred thousand euros (€500.000,00) (issued and paid up)
- that is accompanied by a bank guarantee of five hundred and fifty thousand euro (€550.000,00), from a commercial bank offering banking services in Cyprus or in a member state of the European Union or a cooperative bank
You can find more information on the website under the section Regulated entities/Application Forms, at the respective Class A or B application form.
5. What is the betting tax imposed on Class A and B licensed bookmakers?
The amount of the betting tax, which is collected by the Authority and paid by it to the Republic’s Consolidated Fund in each accounting period, shall amount to ten percent (10%) of the net revenue of the Class A or B licensed bookmaker from betting for the corresponding accounting period.
6. What is the contribution tax imposed on Class A and B licensed bookmakers?
The amount paid to the Authority as a contribution shall amount to three percent (3%) of the net revenue of the Class A or B licensed bookmaker from betting activity.
7. Where can I find the application forms, as well as other required supporting documents?
The application forms are available online on the Authority’s official website at the following link: https://nba.gov.cy/en/regulated-entities/application-forms/.
It should be noted that, each application form mentions all the required supporting documents.
8. What is the payable fee to be paid to the Authority for the issuance of the licences?
- Class A or B bookmaker’s licence valid for one (1) year -30.000€
- Class A or B bookmaker’s licence valid for two (2) years -45.000€
- Class A authorised representative’s licence valid for one (1) year – 2.000€
- Class A authorised representative’s licence valid for two (2) years – 3.000€
- Licence for premises valid for one (1) year – 2.000€
- Licence for premises valid for one (2) years – 3.000€
It is stressed that, the licence for the first premises of each Class A bookmaker/Authorised representative is free.
For more information click here.
9. How can the payment for the required licence fee be made?
Τhe payment of the payable fee is acceptable ONLY via bank transfer to the following bank account details:
Name of Credit Institution: Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited
Beneficiary details: Εθνική Αρχή Στοιχημάτων or National Betting Authority
IBAN: CY71 0020 0195 0000 3570 3046 0931 (printed format)
CY71002001950000357030460931 (digital format)
Swift/BIC: BCYPCY2N
Transfer details: “Payable fee for a bookmaker’s licence or authorised agent’s licence or betting premise’s licence” and the name of the legal entity of the bookmaker.
For more information click here.
10. When does the Authority impose an administrative fine and how is it paid?
The Authority may impose an administrative fine n case it is found that a person has performed an act, or has omitted to do so, either in breach of a condition in a Class A or B bookmaker’s or authorised agent’s licence, or in breach of the present L.37(I)/2019 69 Law, or in breach of the regulations, or in breach of the Directives issued, which may not exceed one hundred thousand euros (EUR 100.000), depending on the seriousness of the offence, regardless of whether that person is criminally liable under the provisions of the present Law or under any other legislation.
Therefore, in case which the Authority imposes administrative fine to the operators or authorised person or any other liable person, the payment of the administrative fine is acceptable ONLY in either of the following ways:
(a) bank cheque issued to “ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΗ ΣΤΟΙΧΗΜΑΤΩΝ” or “NATIONAL BETTING AUTHORITY”
or
(b) bank transfer to the following bank account details:
Name of Credit Institution: Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited
Beneficiary details: Εθνική Αρχή Στοιχημάτων or National Betting Authority
IBAN: CY71 0020 0195 0000 3570 3046 0931 (printed format)
CY71002001950000357030460931 (digital format)
Swift/BIC: BCYPCY2N
Transfer details: “Administrative fine” and the name of the legal entity or physical person
11. What is the procedure that is being followed by the Authority after the submission of an application for a licence?
- Initial evaluation of the application according to the supporting documents and the necessary certifications
- -The applicant is informed about any missing documents/ further clarifications that need to be given to the Authority
- Final evaluation of the application after the submission of any additional documents and the necessary background checks by the Authority
- The application is then brought forward to the Authority’s board for the final decision
- The applicant is informed about the Board’s decision
- The licence is delivered to the successful applicant.
12. What happens in the case of dismissal/ revocation of an application for the issuance/renewal of a licence?
In the case of an application dismissal, the payable fee is refundable and is reduced by twenty-five per cent (25%).
In the case that an application is revoked before (a) the completion of the assessment, (b) sending an email for presenting other required documents and (c) the submission of the application to the Authority’s board for approval or dismissal, then the payable fee is fully refundable.
13. Why should Class A authorised representatives be registered as self-employed to the Social Insurances Services?
An authorised representative is the person who provides betting services on account of a Class A licensed bookmaker. Therefore, by definition as a person that provides services, the authorised representative should be registered as self-employed in the professional category 15- betting agents, in order to pay the corresponding contributions to the Social Insurances Services.
14. Is it allowed to transfer a Class A or B bookmaker’s licence or an authorised representative’s licence?
No, these licences may not be transferred or assigned in any way to another person.
15. How can a person be declared as a person responsible for a licensed betting premises?
The declaration form of the person responsible for the licensed betting premises must be sent to the Authority, along with the necessary supporting documents.
You can find the declaration form at the following link: https://nba.gov.cy/wp-content/uploads/NBA.EN_.2016.03-PERSONAL-DECLARATION-FORM-1.pdf. It is noted that, the Authority should be immediately notified about the termination of employment of a person from a betting premise.
16. Can a person be declared as responsible for more than one premises?
Yes, as long as the person’s declaration form is accompanied by a letter stating all the premises where the responsible person will be working.
17. Why do I have to submit the same supporting documents again when applying for a premises’ licence?
The procedure for the renewal of a premises licence does not differ from the procedure for the issuance of a licence. Therefore, the application for renewal is considered complete if accompanied by all the necessary supporting documents mentioned in the relevant form.
18. In which cases is the transfer of a licence for premises allowed?
A premises licence may only be transferred:
(a) by a Class A licensed bookmaker to another Class A licensed bookmaker, or
(b) by a Class A licensed bookmaker to a licensed authorised agent, or
(c) by a licensed authorised agent to another licensed authorised agent, or
(d) by a licensed authorised agent to a Class A licensed bookmaker
It is noted that, in all of the above-mentioned cases, a letter signed by both parties should be submitted to the Authority in order to be considered.
19. Is the relocation of a licensed premises allowed?
Yes, it is allowed, provided that the letter for the relocation of the licensed premises is accompanied by the relevant application and necessary supporting documents for the issuance of licence for premises for the new premises.
It is noted that, the application for the relocation of the licensed premises does not require the payment of a fee.
20. Which changes in the circumstances of a Class A or B licensed bookmaker and licensed authorised representative should be notified to the Authority?
The prior approval of the Authority is required for the following:
(a) acquisition of a significant interest in a Class A or B licensed bookmaker or authorised agent, from a person who does not hold a significant interest in it;
(b) the holder of a significant interest ceases to hold such an interest in a Class A or B licensed bookmaker or authorised agent;
(c) change in the Board of Directors or officers of the management of a Class A or B licensed bookmaker or authorised agent;
(d) change or alteration to the information or data submitted to the Authority for the purpose of issuing or renewing a Class A or B bookmaker’s licence or authorised agent’s licence;
(e) a decision or resolution or notice or application or action filed before a court or any other steps taken which could lead to that legal person being dissolved or liquidated;
(f) an agreement between a Class A licensed bookmaker and an authorised agent under which the authorised agent will receive a percentage of the income or winnings from betting services offered by the same;
(g) a change of the beneficial owner of a Class A or B licensed bookmaker or authorised agent.
Additionally, the prior approval of the Authority is required in the case of modification of licensed premises, according to Directive 10/2016.
21. Are minors (person under the age of 18) allowed entrance to licensed premises if accompanied by adults?
No, entrance to a licensed premise is not allowed to minors that are either unaccompanied or accompanied by an adult.
22. What is the procedure for the submission of complaints/violations to the Authority?
For the cases where the complainant has filed his complaint to the licensed bookmaker but is not satisfied with the outcome, he may forward a detailed description of the complaint to the Authority via email at [email protected] or send a letter to the Authority’s offices, enclosing all the relevant documents and evidence that he believes may assist in the complaint examination process.
23. What is the procedure for examining complaints?
The Authority has set up a tripartite committee to examine complaints or violations. The procedure is carried out in the manner set out below:
(a) A copy of the potential violation or complaint along with all the supporting documents is sent to the licensee against whom the complaint is made
(b) The person against whom the complaint is made is called to submit his position, in person or in writing
(c) Examination of all information/data by the committee followed by the submission of the relevant conclusion to the Board of the Authority
(d) A decision is made and is notified to the interested parties.
You can find more information about the procedure for the examination of complaints in Directive 20/2017.
24. What forms of advertising are prohibited by Law?
Any person who advertises a bet so as to –
(a) imply that it promotes or is related to social acceptance, personal or financial success or resolution of any personal, financial or social problems, or
(b) include the support of well-known personalities in a manner which implies that it is related to their success, or
(c) possibly influence minors in any manner in taking part in bets, or
(d) promote betting using services provided by a person who is not a Class A or B licensed bookmaker or authorised agent, or
(e) goes beyond the boundaries of decency and propriety
shall be guilty of an offence and, if convicted, shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six (6) months or a fine not exceeding thirty thousand euros (EUR 30.000), or both.
For more information, please read the Code of Advertising for betting activities here.
25. How can I get information on the licensed bookmakers, authorised representatives and licensed premises?
The Authority publishes on its official website at the link https://nba.gov.cy/en/regulated-entities/registers/class-a/ a continuously updated registry of the licensed bookmakers, authorised representatives and licensed premises.
26. How can I know if a website is legal?
The licensed companies for the provision of online betting services:
a. are published on the Authority’s website and
b. have the logo and the link to the Authority’s website and mention that are under the supervision of the Authority.
27. What is the blocking list?
The blocking list includes websites that do not hold a Class B license (license for online betting) as well as websites that offer illegal betting services (poker, online casino, spread bet services, betting exchanges etc.).
The blocking list is published at the link https://nba.gov.cy/en/blocking-list/, as well as on the Authority’s website and is updated on a weekly basis.
28. How are the players bank accounts that are registered at a Class B licensed bookmaker’s website protected?
A Class B licensed bookmaker keeps player amounts in a special clients’ bank account at a credit institution and these amounts must be kept separate from its own funds.
In addition, the Class B licensed bookmaker submits proof to the Authority that the following obligations have been undertaken by the credit institution at which the Class B licensed bookmaker holds its clients’ account:(a) that the credit institution shall not apply or impose any charge, write off or other claim on the clients’ account,
(b) that the credit institution shall not consolidate a clients’ account with any other account in relation to any debt of the Class B licensed bookmaker which is not related to the clients’ account and
(c) that the credit institution shall credit any interest payable in relation to the clients’ account only to that account.
29. What information is required for the registration of a person as a player in an online betting website?
The application for a player’s registration is only submitted online and must at least, include the following information according to article 60 of the Betting Law of 2019:
- confirmation that the player is aged eighteen 18 years old or over;
- the player’s identity details;
- the player’s home address;
- a valid email address; and
- confirmation that the player has been informed on the terms of the bet and the way it is conducted, including the amount he may be required to pay to the Class B licensed bookmaker.
30. Why is it that when I try to connect to a betting website I get redirected to the Authority’s website?
This is because the website you are trying to connect is illegal and has been placed in the blocking list that is maintained by the Authority.
The blocking list is published in this link as well as on the Authority’s website and is updated on a weekly basis.
31. Where can I find information on Safer Gambling?
You can find information on safer gambling on the website www.safergambling.gov.cy, which operates under the auspices of the National Betting Authority. The website’s aim is promoting responsible gaming and providing information, as well as promoting treatment programmes to address problem gamblers. The website’s main concern is to raise awareness and educate citizens on safer gambling as well as promoting prevention measures.
32. I am a problem gambler. Where can I find help?
You can visit the website www.safergambling.gov.cy under the section Get Help and Support to learn about the ways you can get help.
