iGaming & Betting in Cyprus 2026 — What the National Betting Authority Actually Licenses (Online Sports Betting, Not Online Casino)

What Cyprus actually licenses — read this first

There is widespread confusion about 'iGaming' in Cyprus, so be precise. The Cyprus betting framework is administered by the National Betting Authority (NBA), and it licenses BETTING — not online casino. Online casino games (slots, roulette, online poker and similar) are NOT licensed in Cyprus.

What the NBA does license is structured around classes: Class A covers land-based betting, and Class B covers online sports betting. If your business is an online casino, Cyprus is not the jurisdiction that authorises that activity, and you should not market a Cyprus 'online casino licence' because it does not exist. This accuracy matters for compliance, banking and advertising.

The licence classes at a glance

Overview only — exact scope, conditions and any agent/authorised-representative requirements are set by the NBA. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm with a regulated adviser.

Who regulates betting in Cyprus?

The National Betting Authority (NBA) is the dedicated regulator. It issues and supervises betting licences, sets conditions for operators and authorised agents, and enforces responsible-gambling, anti-money-laundering and player-protection obligations. Because betting is a regulated and politically sensitive activity, the NBA process is rigorous and demands genuine operational substance, not a shelf company.

Alongside the NBA, an operator interacts with the Cyprus Registrar for incorporation, the Tax Department for corporate tax and VAT, and — for the licensing and AML build-out — ICPAC-firm and Cyprus Bar-licensed advisers. Confirm the responsible professionals and their authorisations before engagement.

How is a Cyprus betting company structured?

The vehicle is a standard Cyprus limited company that holds the NBA licence and runs the betting operation. The structuring work sits in governance and substance rather than exotic entities: the regulator and banks both expect a real business.

• Cyprus limited company as the licensed operating entity.
• Cyprus-resident directors and management exercising real control.
• Local office, staff and operational infrastructure proportionate to turnover.
• AML/CFT framework, KYC onboarding and responsible-gambling controls.
• Player-funds handling and reporting consistent with NBA conditions.
• Annual financial statements with statutory audit or eligible statutory review.

How is a betting operator taxed?

For corporate income tax purposes a Cyprus betting company is taxed like any other company: 15% corporate income tax on taxable profits from 1 January 2026, with the standard Cyprus features of income-tax exemption for qualifying securities disposals and 0% withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents. The standard VAT rate is 19%.

Separately from corporate tax, betting is subject to its own sector levies and betting-tax/contribution rules administered through the NBA framework. These are distinct from CIT and depend on the licence and turnover. Because these betting-specific charges are set by sector legislation rather than the general tax facts, confirm the current rates and bases with the NBA and a regulated adviser rather than relying on a generic figure.

Betting-specific taxes and contributions are governed by sector rules and change over time. This is general information, not tax advice — confirm current rates with a regulated adviser and the NBA.

Indicative setup sequence

1. 1Confirm the activity is within the licensable perimeter (sports betting, not online casino).
2. 2Incorporate the Cyprus operating company.
3. 3Build the compliance stack: AML/CFT, KYC, responsible gambling and player-protection policies.
4. 4Establish genuine substance — directors, staff and office in Cyprus.
5. 5Prepare and submit the NBA licence application with the required documentation.
6. 6Open corporate banking and arrange payment processing aligned to the licensed activity.
7. 7Operate under NBA supervision with annual ICPAC-audited accounts and ongoing reporting.

Official verification starting points

Business in Cyprus official portal and Cyprus Tax Department documents publish the controlling material for this topic. Check the current law, form, circular or portal instructions before acting; this article is general information and the live official material prevails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Share this article

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Consult a qualified Cyprus adviser for guidance specific to your situation. The information on this page is general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, immigration or financial advice. Specific advice should be obtained based on the facts of each case.