The review places the Cyrpus LGA remote casino licence under the Gambling Regulation Act 75 (I) of 1997, which it describes as governing gambling operations in Cyprus. It characterizes the framework as official in form but comparatively lenient in practice.
The licence has limited recognition and a poor reputation. Some online casinos are reported to choose it because it is comparatively simple and inexpensive to obtain, unlike licences from regulators such as the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA) or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Online casinos licensed only by the LGA have faced criticism over alleged gaps in oversight, including reports of players being disadvantaged in disputes with casinos. The review also says that communication with the LGA is generally available to operators, leaving players without the licensing body as an intermediary.
- Application Process
The review describes the application route as largely requiring payment of annual registration charges and agreement to pay yearly taxes.
- Favourable Taxes
Establishing an online casino business in Cyprus may bring tax advantages, including limits on the tax charged to a casino company.
Types of Licences
Cyprus gambling oversight can be difficult to follow because separate regulatory bodies cover different activities. The review lists online and land-based casino gaming, lotteries, poker, sports betting and bingo among the areas involved.
Licensing rules and oversight are organized under the Cyprus Casino Control Law, with responsibilities divided among departments and licence classes.
Online poker and casino games cannot be offered within Cyrpus, while offshore operators may obtain a Cyprus licence if they do not target customers in the Republic of Cyprus. Online sports betting is described as permitted both in Cyprus and abroad. The review assigns remote gambling licences to the LGA.
Land-based casinos and games of chance are described as legal in Cyrpus and regulated by a separate authority, the 2015 ‘Cyprus Gaming and Supervision Commission’. It seldom cooperates with the LGA, though both bodies operate under the Cyprus Casino Control Law.
The review lists 4 licence types for online casinos:
- Class 1: Remote gaming licence
- Class 2: Online betting office licence
- Class 3: Promote gaming from Cyprus
- Class 4: Host and manage online gaming operators
Software Testing and Licensing
Suspension or revocation of a Cyprus LGA licence is portrayed as highly uncommon. The review says that, in practice, an online casino risks losing its licence if it fails to pay its annual fees and/or taxes.
The licence requires games to be tested 6 months before an application. The review also reports that the LGA is not known for routinely checking casino software for fairness and integrity.
For readers considering a casino that claims to hold a Cyprus licence, consider checking whether it also has a licence from another regulator that conducts regular reviews.
Areas of Focus
Despite the LGA’s reported reputation for limited oversight, the review identifies several areas the authority says it addresses. These include integrity screening of people associated with a company, responsible gambling measures, account monitoring intended to prevent underage play and proper customer service from licensed online casinos.
Player balances must be kept separate from a casino’s operating funds. The review presents this separation as a way to support reimbursement of account balances if a casino becomes insolvent or enters liquidation.
How to Obtain a Licence
Applicants submit their paperwork and an application fee directly to the LGA. Although the review describes several prerequisites, it says most companies should be able to meet them.
The summarized application criteria call for an LLC registered in Cyrpus, payment of a non-refundable application fee, and appointment of a key individual as director, who must report to the LGA when requested. Applicants also need to meet financial criteria and provide a complete account of the business structure and the criminal records of all parties involved.
After approval, a 5-year licence is issued for an annual fee of €7,000, in addition to taxes incurred during the year.
Conclusion
The review identifies the Cyprus Lotteries & Gaming Authority(LGA) as the body that issues online casino licences to companies serving markets outside Cyrpus; it describes online sports betting as an exception that may also be offered within Cyrpus.
The review characterizes this licence as easier to obtain than alternatives because its requirements are less demanding, linking that perceived leniency to its weaker reputation. It also cites limited player access to an intermediary and a lack of regular software reviews as shortcomings.
