Cyprus gambling regulator urges tougher action against illegal betting market

Cyprus must strengthen its response to illegal gambling and ensure that player protection goes beyond regulatory compliance, National Betting Authority (NBA) chairman Panayiotis Trisokkas said this week, as the island opened its ninth Safer Gambling Week. Speaking at the 9th Safer Gambling Conference on October 12, Trisokkas stressed the need for effective regulation, stronger prevention measures and greater use of technology to identify risks before they cause harm. The conference brought together academics, researchers, regulators and gambling industry professionals from Cyprus and abroad to discuss illegal betting, artificial intelligence (AI), public health concerns and the future of player protection. “A well-regulated market is a prerequisite for a sustainable market. And a sustainable market is one in which player protection is an integral part of its operation,” Trisokkas said. However, he warned that regulatory compliance alone was insufficient, explaining that authorities must continuously assess whether existing rules reflect actual market conditions and emerging risks. The discussions examined developments in European gambling regulation, including the shift towards more effective player safeguards and the treatment of gambling-related harm as a public health issue. Particular attention was given to the psychological and biological factors behind risk-taking, alongside the difficulties regulators face in identifying and tackling illegal gambling activity. The conference also explored how AI, data analysis and digital tools could help detect potentially harmful gambling behaviour earlier and support more effective intervention. According to Trisokkas, these technologies offer opportunities to improve understanding of player behaviour and strengthen protective measures. Meanwhile, the role of responsible advertising and the obligations of communications professionals were discussed, together with developments affecting Cyprus’ gambling sector. Representing the Finance Ministry, Lucy Herodotou Mouskou, director of financial management of the central government, praised the authority’s work while stressing that the industry’s growth should not come at the expense of consumer protection. She said economic performance should not be the sole measure of the sector’s development, pointing instead to the importance of effective regulation, transparency and public safeguards. Mouskou also conveyed a message from the Finance Minister emphasising that economic prosperity could not be separated from the protection of citizens. The message stressed that people choosing to gamble should do so responsibly and within safe limits, while the state had a duty to provide support when those limits were exceeded. The conference marked the start of Safer Gambling Week, running from October 12 to 18, with a programme of educational events, public awareness activities and interactive sessions. This year’s campaign, under the slogan “Play within limits. Play safely”, focuses on self-control, recognising harmful behaviour and making informed decisions about gambling. The initiative also seeks to raise awareness among young people and vulnerable groups about the risks associated with betting and the tools available to help prevent gambling-related harm. The full programme is available here, while further guidance on responsible gambling can be found at safergambling.gov.cy.