Cyprus Gaming License
A Cyprus gaming license is, in practice, a betting license. The National Betting Authority (NBA) issues it under the Betting Law of 2019 (L.37(I)/2019), in two classes: Class A for land-based betting and Class B for online betting. Online casino, slot machines, poker and lotteries are not licensable in Cyprus, so this page covers sports betting only. As of July 2026.
A Cyprus gaming license is, in practice, a betting license: the National Betting Authority (NBA) licenses Class A (land-based) and Class B (online) betting under the Betting Law of 2019. Online casino, slots, poker and lotteries cannot be licensed in Cyprus.
The license fee is €30,000 for one year or €45,000 for two, the same for both classes. You must also hold €500,000 paid-up share capital and a €550,000 bank guarantee, and pay 15% tax on net betting revenue. Cyprus is an EU member state, but the license gives no EU passporting.
If your roadmap needs online casino or slots, Cyprus is the wrong base. See our Malta, Anjouan and Curacao pages instead.
Key facts
- Regulator
- National Betting Authority (NBA)
- Law
- Betting Law of 2019 (L.37(I)/2019)
- Licence classes
- Class A (land-based betting), Class B (online betting)
- Licence fee
- €30,000 (1 year) / €45,000 (2 years), same for Class A and Class B
- Share capital
- €500,000 paid-up
- Bank guarantee
- €550,000
- Tax
- 15% of net betting revenue (10% Republic + 5% NBA)
- Term
- 1 or 2 years
- Prohibited
- Online casino, slots, poker, lotteries, exchange betting
- EU note
- Cyprus is an EU member, but there is no EU passporting
Who regulates gambling in Cyprus?
Betting in Cyprus is regulated by the National Betting Authority (NBA) under the Betting Law of 2019. The NBA licenses operators, audits them and enforces AML and player-protection rules. Land-based casino gaming sits under a separate regulator, the Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission, and is not part of the NBA and not available online.
What are the Class A and Class B licenses in Cyprus?
Cyprus issues two operator licenses plus one agent license. There is no online casino, poker or lottery license.
| License | Covers | Excludes |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Betting at licensed premises (land-based) | Online betting, horse-racing betting |
| Class B | Online / electronic betting | Slots, online casino, lotteries, electronic horse-racing |
| Authorised agent (Class A) | Taking bets for a Class A bookmaker at premises. Fee €2,000 (1 year) / €3,000 (2 years) per agent | None |
Class B specifics: a .com.cy domain, a backup server located in Cyprus, electronic payments only (no cash), and pre-funded player accounts.
Class A, land-based betting license
Betting at licensed premises, excluding online betting and horse racing. Fee €30,000 (1 year) / €45,000 (2 years).
Class B, online betting license
Electronic sports betting. Excludes slots, online casino, lotteries and electronic horse racing. Requires a .com.cy domain, a backup server in Cyprus and a Cyprus bank account. Fee €30,000 (1 year) / €45,000 (2 years).
Authorised agent (Class A)
A representative taking bets for a Class A bookmaker. Fee €2,000 (1 year) / €3,000 (2 years) per agent.
Is online casino or iGaming legal in Cyprus?
No. Online casino, slot machines, poker, lotteries, betting exchanges and spread betting are prohibited in Cyprus. The only online product you can license is sports betting, under a Class B license. A single physical casino resort operates under a separate regulator, but it is not online and is not open to new entrants. If your roadmap needs casino or slots, Cyprus is the wrong base. See our Malta, Anjouan and Curacao pages instead.
What are the requirements to get a Cyprus betting license?
To get a Cyprus betting license you need a Cyprus company or branch, €500,000 paid-up share capital, a €550,000 bank guarantee, a Cyprus bank account, AML systems, and enough funds to pay winning players. Class B operators also need a .com.cy domain and a backup server in Cyprus.
- Cyprus company or branch
- €500,000 paid-up share capital
- €550,000 bank guarantee
- Cyprus bank account
- AML and KYC systems
- Fit-and-proper owners and officers
- .com.cy domain and Cyprus backup server
For a Cyprus online gaming license, while you prepare the required documents, such as the company’s registration and incorporation details, proof of financial standing, details of owners and key personnel, and a thorough business plan, we handle all necessary forms, implement the required Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies, and provide an organizational structure, ensuring compliance with Cyprus regulations and reducing your administrative burden.
MGL prepares the full package with you: company or branch setup, the Cyprus bank account and the €550,000 guarantee, AML policies and the Class B technical setup.
How it works
How do you get a Cyprus betting license?
Navigating the gaming license process can be complex. Here's a streamlined guide to each step.
The process is: register a company, put the capital and guarantee in place, file with the NBA, pass due diligence and receive the license. There is no statutory processing time.
How much does a Cyprus betting license cost?
A Cyprus betting license costs €30,000 for one year or €45,000 for two years, the same for Class A and Class B. On top of the fee you must hold €500,000 paid-up share capital and a €550,000 bank guarantee. If the application is rejected, 75% of the fee is refunded.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| License fee (Class A or B) | €30,000 (1 year) / €45,000 (2 years). Same for both classes. 75% refunded if rejected |
| Authorised agent (Class A) | €2,000 (1 year) / €3,000 (2 years) per agent |
| Paid-up share capital | €500,000 (company working capital, not a fee) |
| Bank guarantee | €550,000 |
License renewal
Apply at least three months before expiry. Fees are the same (€30,000 / €45,000), and renewal is assessed like a fresh application.
What taxes apply to a Cyprus betting license?
A Cyprus betting operator pays 15% of net betting revenue: 10% to the Republic and 5% to the NBA (1% of that earmarked for protecting young and vulnerable players). Net revenue is total stakes minus winnings paid out.
Note: the current rate is 15%, following the 2024 amendment. Some sources, including the NBA's own FAQ, still show the older 13% figure. Confirm the current split with the NBA before modelling.
How does a Cyprus betting license compare with other jurisdictions?
Cyprus is the only betting-only, EU-member option below. That is its strength for a pure sportsbook and its limit for anyone who wants a casino.
| Parameter | Cyprus | Malta | Curacao | Anjouan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regime | Betting only | Multi-vertical | Multi-vertical | Multi-vertical |
| Online casino | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EU member | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Tax | 15% of net betting revenue | 5% on Malta-player revenue (rising to 10% betting / 15% casino from 1 Oct 2026) plus a tiered compliance contribution on worldwide revenue; ~5% effective corporate | 0% gaming tax; 15-22% corporate (territorial) | 0% gaming, corporate and VAT |
| Entry cost | High (€500k capital + €550k guarantee) | High (€100k share capital, €25k annual fee, year-one €250k+) | Moderate (annual fees €47,450, lean year-one €70-110k) | Low (~€24-55k first year, gov fee ~€17k) |
| Term | 1 or 2 years | 10 years | Indefinite (subject to annual fees) | 1 year, renewable |
What are the advantages of a Cyprus betting license?
A Cyprus betting license gives you a regulated base in an EU member state at moderate cost. Tax is 15% of net betting revenue, license fees are low (30,000 to €45,000), and one Class B license covers your full online sports-betting operation. It suits operators who want EU credibility rather than an offshore label.
Regulated regime in an EU member state (credibility, not offshore).
Moderate tax by EU standards: 15% of net betting revenue.
Low license fees: €30,000 for 1 year or €45,000 for 2 years.
Choice of a 1-year or 2-year term.
One Class B license covers the full online sports-betting perimeter.
What are the disadvantages or limitations of the Cyprus license?
The main limit is scope: Cyprus licenses betting only, so online casino, slots, poker and lotteries are off the table. Entry is expensive (€500,000 capital plus a €550,000 guarantee), you need real Cyprus substance, and the license gives no EU passporting. A Cyprus betting license fits a pure sportsbook, not a multi-vertical operator.
Betting only. No online casino, slots, poker or lotteries.
High entry cost: €500,000 paid-up capital plus a €550,000 bank guarantee before the license issues.
Local substance required: a Cyprus company or branch, a Cyprus bank account, and for Class B a .com.cy domain and a backup server in Cyprus.
No EU passporting. The license is valid in Cyprus only; every other country licenses separately.
Horse-racing betting is excluded.
Bureaucracy: the regulator has acknowledged staffing gaps that can slow processing.
Why choose MGL Solutions for Cyprus licensing?
MGL Solutions runs the full Cyprus setup: company or branch registration, the NBA application, AML policies, the bank account and €550,000 guarantee, Class B technical setup, and renewals. We work as your advisor at each step. We do not promise approval or a fixed timeline, both of which the NBA controls.
Company or branch registration in Cyprus.
Application to the NBA and liaison through the process.
AML/KYC policies and procedures.
Support arranging the bank account and the €550,000 guarantee.
Class B technical setup (.com.cy domain, Cyprus backup server).
Renewal management.
FAQ
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There is no statutory deadline. In practice it takes a few months, driven mainly by how ready your file is (capital, guarantee, clean criminal records) and NBA due diligence.
No. Online casino, slots, lotteries and poker are prohibited in Cyprus. Class B covers online sports betting only.
No. There is no EU-wide gambling passport. A Cyprus license is valid in Cyprus; other countries license under their own law.
Class A is land-based betting at licensed premises. Class B is online betting. Both exclude horse-racing betting; Class B also excludes slots, casino and lotteries.
Yes. You need a Cyprus company or a branch of a foreign company. For Class B you also need a .com.cy domain and a backup server in Cyprus.
75% of the paid fee is refunded; 25% is retained (Betting (Payable Fees) Regulations 2019).
Navigating the gaming license process can be complex. Here's a streamlined guide to each step