Needless to say, there is a wide variety of casinos offering real money gaming. In Cyprus, many such casinos are blacklisted and it can be difficult finding a good one. This text will aim to facilitate your research and help you choose the best online casino in Cyprus for 2023.
Read on and find more about gambling laws and regulations in Cyprus, how to find the best casino sites, how to join them, what to expect, and much more.
The important laws and regulations in Cyprus:
✅ Casinos:
The Casino Operation and Control Act 2015 124 (I)/2015 defines the framework of the legislation governing the operation of a casino resort and four online casinos in various provinces as well as the establishment of the EIA. K. as the competent authority for the supervision of casino games. The Casino Operation and Control Act (General) Regulation 2016 provides a more detailed description of the supervision of legal casinos.
✅ Sports Betting:
The Betting Law 106 (i) 2012 defines the basic framework of activity in the field of betting in the Republic of Cyprus through a fixed and online platform. This Law provides for the imposition of penalties for betting transactions and the operation of an online casino.
✅ Lotteries:
The Lottery Law 1983 governs the creation and framework of the National Lottery. This Law prohibits lotteries issued by individuals, with a few exceptions. The 1983 Lottery Regulations provide further details and specific information on the regulation and operation of the National Lottery.
Many players are wondering which are the legal online casinos in Cyprus that have a license. The answer to this question is no company has yet received a license to play online casino games. We note that until 2012 the Cypriot market was not regulated not only for sports betting but also for other gambling, such as casino games and poker. That year, the “Betting Law” was enacted, which, however, had not entered into force until 2016, so the Cypriot market was essentially a “gray zone” for the four years. In 2016, the blacklist was published for the first time by the National Betting Authority (EAS) and thus the desired separation of the illegal from the legal betting websites took place.
Nine betting websites are currently operating legally in Cyprus, which means that they have received the relevant license from EAS and are legally providing their services. The licensed betting companies are Stoiximan, Bet365, Winmasters, Parimatch, Meridianbet, Fonbet, Betonalfa, Megabet Plus and Ubet.
Of course, there may not be legal online casinos in Cyprus, but at the same time, land-based casinos have started operating in some cities, while others are in the pipeline. The first licensed land-based casino is that of Limassol, Cyprus Casinos Limassol (C2 Limassol), which opened its gates on June 28, 2018. On December 10, 2018, it was the turn of the capital, Nicosia, to welcome the public, with the name C2 Nicosia. In the same month, the casino at Larnaca International Airport, Cyprus Casinos Larnaca (C2 Larnaca), started operating. At the same time, this summer of 2019 the Ayia Napa casino (Cyprus Casinos Ayia Napa or C2 Ayia Napa) is expected to start operating, while at the end of 2019 the φ Paphos casino (Cyprus Casinos Paphos or C2 Paphos). The company to which all land-based casinos in Cyprus belong is Integrated Casino Resort Cyprus Ltd (ICR Cyprus).
Is Online Casino Legal in Cyprus?
Online casino gambling is officially illegal in Cyprus and hence, there are no legal casino sites. Be that as it may, players can find various foreign casino sites in Cyprus and enjoy such activities with ease.
When looking for the perfect online casino site in Cyprus, we should analyze everything. According to these criteria, the online casino in Cyprus should have been chosen:
Our mission is to give you a worthwhile casino selection so you don’t lose your money playing on unsafe sites. This is the reason why every Cypriot casino we propose meets all these parameters.
The competition between gambling houses is increasing every year. Every best online casino provides generous bonuses to players, enticing them to start playing. Every Cypriot casino that should be considered must provide bonuses that are beneficial to you. No Deposit Bonus, Free Spins, Recharge, Cash Back, Friend Referral Bonus, Welcome Bonus, and more are waiting for you to use them wisely.
Before diving into the world of bonuses, it is worth checking out the payment methods. Every online casino in Cyprus must try and provide the most popular and convenient withdrawal methods. All casinos must accept bank cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies. This is done for your benefit so that you can play in the Cyprus online casino without any hassle. The best online casinos in Cyprus offer a variety of payment methods.
Even with all the amenities for players, the most important thing in a casino is the license. Without a valid gambling license, it is in danger of closing. Casinos like this can lose all their money. This is why every online casino in Cyprus recommended here is licensed by reputable organizations such as AGCC, Curacao, KGC, UKGC, and MGA to ensure legal gambling on their platform.
The ability to communicate with the casino is also important. Players have the right to easily get in touch with the gambling facility where they play. Any leading Cypriot online casino must have at least two methods of communication. Ideally, it should support all four modes:
To ensure that players have access to the game at all times, every online casino in Cyprus offered here has an advanced mobile application. All of them are fully adapted to play on a smartphone or tablet. In addition, almost every online casino in Cyprus has exclusive bonuses for users of mobile applications. Also, every online casino here offers the opportunity to either play for free or gamble with real money. The choice is always yours.
Casinos must be available either on Android, iOS, or Windows, as well as on tablets. Upload the Cyprus casino applications for mobile and enjoy a complete game.
The best online casino in Cyprus gives you the opportunity to play many games, such as Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Video Poker, Keno, Craps, Bingo, and one of the most popular gambling games – Slots. Try playing progressive slots as well. They are the only ones who can make millions of dollars. But before you start enjoying the game, we advise you to check the rate of return to the player (RTP). The higher it is, the more often you can win for a longer period of time and have a successful game.
However, only the best online casino developers will offer you a good game. Therefore, when choosing software providers, we should pay attention to their reputation and license. This includes the availability of RTR indicators, technological innovations, convenient gaming, and an intuitive interface. So here is a list of certified providers present in Cyprus:
If you are looking for a place to entertain yourself in classic games such as blackjack, online roulette, or slots, then this is a step-by-step guide on how to register casino sites in Cyprus. Below are the steps to join any casino site in the country (all of them have more or less the same registration processes). There are only 3 steps you must follow to open your account and it will not take you more than 2 minutes.
When you enter the casino’s main page, you will find the green button to start your registration. The button usually says “Register” or “Join” and is usually at the top right of the web page. Click to display the complete form and enter your personal information to register.
To open an account at any casino site in Cyprus, you must share personal information such as names and surnames, and confirm your nationality, and date of birth. You must also put other information such as your residence address and all the information related to your ID such as the number and date of issue. Do not worry about giving this information to the online casino since it is necessary to confirm that you are a real person and have no other accounts at the casino of choice. The casino site is in charge of protecting your information.
Finally, you must share your identity document data such as the number and date of issue. You must also confirm that you are over 18 years of age and that the origin of your funds is legal. All of this is necessary for online gambling to be a safe experience.
To finish the process of registering, click on the Finish button and that’s it, you will have your account enabled in the casino site in Cyprus of your choice. But first, do not forget to accept the terms and conditions for your account to be enabled.
Once the process is finished, the casino will give you the option to set a daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limit (if you want). If you wish to change them, you can change these limits by logging into your account. When depositing, simply choose the payment method you wish to use and the amount of money you wish to deposit. Bear in mind that not all payment methods will be available for withdrawals so choose carefully.
In any case, remember that the money invested in bets and casino games is for your entertainment and should not alter personal finances.
Take advantage of the gift bonus offered by almost all casino sites in Cyprus. Depending on the casino, you can use this bonus for sports betting or certain online casino games. The bonus usually applies to the first deposit and will only be credited once. Read the wagering and other requirements of such bonuses before claiming them. Remember – big bonuses are great but useless if you can’t meet the requirements.
You are all set up! Your account has been created, you have money to gamble with, and the welcome bonus is there to help you out with your first bets. Simply choose the games you wish to play and enjoy. Some casino sites in Cyprus will offer demo mode, which is a free-to-play mode, where players can try out the games before depositing money. Demo mode is always recommended in order to learn the game and create strategies.
The variety of casino games is very important and distinguishes good from mediocre and bad casinos. And in this case, there is a categorization of casino online games, as each game does not give you the same feeling as another. Online casino sites in Cyprus give you the opportunity to play every type of game, from slots to poker, and from roulette to Keno, even sports betting. Here are the most popular casino games in Cyprus:
In Keno, the first and last word is the luck factor, but the game changes are so intense and fast that they really do not let the player breathe. At the same time, the game has simple, easy, and understandable elements that intrigue the Cypriot players, who have proven to have a great appreciation for live keno.
Poker is a game where craftsmanship and strategy, mind, intelligence, and perception meet the Goddess of Fortune. In this game, if the player has a good first hand, he will hardly lose. Players need to remember many poker rules but also the top strategy for the game. There are also many variations of the game, with Texas Hold ‘Em being the most popular, as well as video pokers.
Fast, exciting, and requires a sharp mind and skills, perhaps more than luck itself. This is the popular online blackjack, also known as blackjack 21. Players need to learn all the secrets of basic blackjack strategy, what to avoid while playing, and how to differentiate the most important variations of the game. At the same time, some casino sites in Cyprus give you the opportunity to play free blackjack, so that you can practice and become better over time.
Roulette is a game that is more connected to the casino than any other. The adrenaline it generates, the sound of the ball spinning, and the wait for the bet to be confirmed, make casino roulette an extremely popular game both at online casino sites in Cyprus and worldwide. At the same time, it is one of the games with the highest payout percentage, which stands at 97.3%.
There are many variations of the popular game and players need to learn how to play roulette, but also the best roulette strategies, in order to always win by playing.
Here players will find a huge range of games from which to choose. Online slots are the most popular category of games and not unjustly so. The quality of graphics, sounds, and gameplay of games created by providers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Play N ’Go and Novomatic, has skyrocketed in recent years.
At the same time, slots are easy and are the ultimate form of entertainment since the push of a button is enough to start the action. The casino slots are also divided into categories with the most popular being the classic, the Video slots with their thematic subcategories, the progressive, and the 3D slots. They all differ in payout rates and mixing them up from time to time is a good way to balance expectations from slot machines.
But there are not only casino games at casino sites in Cyprus, as sports betting fans will not complain either. Many casinos will offer sports betting and sometimes, the odds and markets will be as good as with online bookmakers. On a more positive side, players who like both casino games and sports bets can enjoy both at the same place.
In the realm of online gambling, there’s one thing that’s not up for chance: the house always comes out first. Casinos aren’t charitable organizations handing out free money. They’re businesses with a business model that prioritizes profits over anything else. Like any other business, casinos in Cyprus (and elsewhere) have fixed advantages that guarantee they’ll come out on top, while players generally won’t.
These advantages, typically known as “house edge”, reflect the average profit in percentages the casino site in Cyprus expects from each hand. The more you play, the more likely it is that the outcome of your game will coincide with the particular edge of the game, and probably you will blow most of your funds. The casino advantage varies between the different games. Among them, blackjack has the lowest and keno has the highest edge of the house.
Regardless of the game you choose to play at a casino site in Cyprus, the odds are in favor of the house. This is because each game has a built-in advantage, the house edge, which reduces the player’s chances of winning and limits the potential payouts.
For instance, in roulette, a player betting on a single number can win 36 times their bet. However, the actual odds of winning are higher, as the wheel has both 0 and 00, bringing the odds to 37 or 38 to 1. The house edge determines the average profit that a casino can expect to make from each game. For example, games with the lowest house edge only yield a profit of 1% to 2% for the casino, while others can generate profits of up to 15% to 25% or more.
The house edge on roulette with a double-zero is 5.26%. This means that for every 1 million euros wagered, the casino management can expect to keep 50,000 euros while returning 950,000 to the players. The goal of the casino is to avoid immediately bankrupting a player but to ensure that they walk away with less money in the long run, thereby leaving money in the casino’s pockets.
Many people know the house edge but must fully understand its effects on their bank balance. For example, they might think that the 5% margin at the roulette table means that they can reasonably expect to sit down with 100 euros, play for a few hours, and end up with around 95 euros. However, this is different. The house edge is not related to the initial bankroll but to the total wagered amount.
For instance, if a person places a 5 euro bet on each spin of the roulette wheel, spinning the wheel 50 times per hour, they will end up wagering 250 euros an hour. Despite winning some and losing some bets, if the house edge plays out perfectly, after four hours of play, they will have lost 50 euros or 5% of 1,000 euros, an amount 10 times greater than they initially expected due to a misunderstanding of the house edge.
The house edge makes it more probable that the outcome of a game will align with the casino’s advantage over time. Although some players may experience success in the short run, the house edge will eventually overpower them and result in long-term losses. To prolong play, casinos in Cyprus, like elsewhere, have tactics to distract players from the passage of time, such as a lack of clocks and windows at land-based casinos.
In terms of casino games, the house edge can vary greatly. The game with the lowest house edge is blackjack, with a margin of just 0.5% for players who use optimal strategy. At some casinos, the house edge for blackjack can even drop to 0.28%. The second-lowest house edge is found in craps, with 0.8%, followed by baccarat at 1.06%.
It’s important to note that the low house edge only applies to players who use perfect betting strategies, which is not typical. The house edge increases as players are less skilled. Popular games like roulette have a high house edge of 5.26%. Slot machines have a house edge of 17%, and Keno has a staggering 25%.
When we talk about casino bonuses, we are referring to a type of promotion that online casino sites in Cyprus give to their users. This usually translates into additional real money funds or free spins for slot games. To enjoy these promotions, users must generally be registered on the platform that offers them.
It is common for online casinos to constantly offer promotions to players in order to keep them on their platform as well. This is why casino bonuses have been diversified, however, we can classify them into the four most common:
Almost all online casino sites in Cyprus offer their gamblers a bonus for signing up and registering an account. Typically, it is credited when the user makes their first deposit and is usually equal to 100% of the first deposit, although the amount could be higher. For example, if we deposit 15 euros, 30 euros could be credited to our account.
An increasingly popular strategy among internet casino operators is free spins on slots. In this way, online casinos seek to attract more players both to their sites, as well as to certain slots.
Some online operators in Cyprus offer players a free money bonus without the need to make a deposit. It is true that in general, the value of these bonuses is not usually high, and releasing them implies betting the value of said bonus a certain number of times in a certain period of time. However, it is one of the most attractive promotions for players.
This type of promotion rewards those users who bet higher amounts of money or who do it more regularly. It usually consists of crediting a certain amount of points to the player for each game he plays in the casino. Upon reaching a certain number of points, the user will be able to redeem them for a variety of exclusive bonuses.
Whether a loyalty program is worth it or not is determined by each player, since it is only he who knows if he bets enough to reach the different levels. But if we analyze all casino bonuses and promotions in general, without a doubt, the VIP club is one of the best in terms of terms and conditions. That is, from the beginning you know that you must reach a certain number of points to obtain benefits. Upon arrival, you can enjoy the VIP program without meeting other requirements.
On the other hand, the rest of the bonuses, especially the welcome ones, have more demanding terms and conditions, which most of the time are not clear to those who are just starting out. In addition, with the loyalty program, you are not risking money, you simply play as you always do and in parallel, you will add points. For this reason, we believe that it is a beneficial bonus for regular players and that’s why they are popular in Cyprus so much.
Among the rewards you can get with loyalty bonuses are:
That said, all you have to do is choose the online casino site in Cyprus that has the loyalty program that seems most attractive to you, taking into account the different levels, rewards, and other things. On the contrary, if you decide to play without entering the loyalty program, you can do so without any problem, and the experience in the online casino will continue to be just as good.
When talking about the “best bonus” people do not want to be fooled by appearances – the biggest bonus is not always the best. Hence, the important thing is to know the advantages and disadvantages that each one offers so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs or preferences. However, it is necessary to take into account these three points:
In short, online casino bonuses are promotions that, if used well, can be very lucrative for players. Looking for online casino sites in Cyprus that combine generous welcome bonuses with affordable wagering requirements can help players get more out of the money they bet.
Choosing the perfect online casino in Cyprus is a daunting task in itself, but what many players forget is that choosing a casino by deposit and withdrawal method is very important. That’s why a comprehensive list of standard deposit methods is presented below that should help you make that important decision.
At online casinos, you’ll find a dizzying array of well-known and less popular methods of funding your account. Each online casino top-up method differs in terms of fees, processing time, convenience, and limits.
✅ Credit and Debit Cards – Most online casino sites in Cyprus accept credit cards, but players may find it difficult to choose this option as some financial institutions block the use of credit cards for overseas gambling. The most popular credit cards are Visa and Mastercard which are usually always present.
Making a deposit with a credit card has several advantages:
✅ Electronic Wallets – An electronic wallet is a type of digital or electronic account that is used to make payments and transactions online through a computer or smartphone. It is linked to an individual’s bank account or credit card for payments and is password protected. There are many eWallets such as ecoPayz, Skrill, and Neteller, each with its own features. All online casino sites in Cyprus that offer eWallets should be considered for various reasons, as electronic wallets have a number of advantages that make them beneficial for you:
✅ Cryptocurrency – Cryptocurrency is the latest addition to a long list of deposit methods and has become one of the most popular deposit methods at online casinos. Casinos in Cyprus have been quick to realize this and have made sure to offer various cryptocurrencies.
The advantages of using cryptocurrencies to make a deposit are as follows:
✅ Bank Transfers – This method is also called electronic funds transfer or wire transfer. Most players are familiar with bank transfers. Bank transfers offer exceptional security, which is why this simple method remains a staple at online casinos in general. But bank transfers are rarely used in Cyprus due to legal conditions. Still, it might be possible to use them in the future if Cyprus receives legal online casinos in the country. Then, this method will be just fine.
The advantages of bank transfers are as follows:
What Is the Best Payment Option for Cypriot Players?
Due to the gray area of online gambling in Cyprus, bank and credit card transfers, although possible, are not the most preferred method. Instead, electronic payments, such as eWallets and cryptocurrencies are widely used. E-wallets have the edge over other methods as they are quite popular and present everywhere, as well as fast, safe, and secure.
In general, gambling in Cyprus is legal but the online casino situation in Cyprus is still a gray area. While sports betting is legal both online and on land, casino games are a peculiar case. There are casinos in Cyprus and the law allows gambling but the state doesn’t provide online casino licenses yet. Therefore, opting for foreign casino sites is necessary.
Casino sites all around the world are, in general, very safe. Every legal and licensed casino in Cyprus will be completely safe. Of course, as players need to look for options outside of the country, they can stumble upon a shady casino site that is not safe to access. For that matter, it is of utmost importance to look for licenses and find good reviews.
Betting on sports is a legal activity in Cyprus as Cypriots simply love sports. Whether in land-based bookmakers or online sports betting sites, sports betting is safe, as long as such providers are legal and licensed.
While some countries set mandatory deposit limits for their players, there are no such limits for Cypriots (mainly as the gambling law towards online gambling is still not completely regulated). Some casino sites will offer players to set their personal deposit limits per week as part of the Responsible Gambling initiative that is spread across Europe. Of course, while this is a good idea to prevent gambling addiction and unnecessary money wasting, it is completely optional whether a player will opt for such actions.
Apart from lottery winnings, gamblers from Cyprus will not have to report any winnings nor pay gambling tax to the state. Since online gambling is still not well regulated, keeping your gambling habits to yourself is recommended.
When a player requests money withdrawals, a casino site will usually process such a request in a timely manner. It shouldn’t take longer than a few minutes, or maybe hours, depending on the situation. Still, what most influences the timing are payment options. For example, e-wallets are quite fast and take up to 24 hours in general to process withdrawals from casinos. Cryptocurrencies are even faster but not very popular still. Bank transfers are the slowest and usually take 5 working days, while credit cards are a bit faster, with 2-3 days of waiting.
With the use of VPNs, players can access dozens of fantastic casino sites in Cyprus. Naturally, each casino site will provide specific services. Likewise, all gamblers have particular tastes when it comes to gambling. A casino can be fantastic but if it doesn’t suit your needs, then it won’t be the best for you. Going for a casino that will offer services to your tastes is the best option. Of course, that casino must be safe and licensed.
As players can access many casino sites, there will be virtually every casino game possible. Cypriots will be able to enjoy classic casino games, such as roulette, poker, blackjack, slots, baccarat, craps, and all their variants. Depending on the casino, there will be bingo and sports betting, but also Sic Bo, Teen Patti, scratch cards, etc.
Like in most countries in the world, slot machines are incredibly popular in Cyprus. The main reason is their easy-to-learn mechanics, beautiful graphics, and interesting themes. Additionally, there are thousands of slots to choose from. Of course, progressive jackpots are especially appealing to Cypriot players as they can make players millionaires in just a few minutes.
Free spins can be found at numerous casino sites. The main condition is that a player creates an account at a casino site in Cyprus. From then, free spins can be awarded in various ways. Most commonly, some welcome bonuses will include free spins as a reward. Certain casino sites will have loyalty programs that will reward regular players. Here, free spins can be claimed more regularly.
Sign-up, or welcome bonuses, are awarded to new players when they, logically, sign up for the first time at a specific casino site in Cyprus. Sign-up bonuses come in various forms – no deposit bonus (free money or free spins), deposit bonus (matching the first deposit and sometimes receiving free spins in addition), or similar.
As gambling addiction is a serious problem that is present in most countries in the world, the Cypriot state has provided a large number of helplines and prevention centers. Helplines are many and can be found here, with 1402 and 1422 being the most commonly used among Cypriots. For institutions, Pharos Center for Gambling Addiction is available, among others. The Safer Gambling web page provides more information about gambling prevention in Cyprus
🔎 Looking for betting sites? Here are the best betting sites in Cyprus.
