An illegal bet or activity is:

  • A bet that breaches the provisions of the Law and/or constitutes a type of bet that is prohibited by the law.
  • Any “slot machine” that usually includes the following machines:

(a) poker machines or any other similar game with a pack of playing cards or other variations or representations
(b) horse racing machines or machines for races or speed (e.g. dog racing, car racing, etc.)
(c) machines known as “fruit machines” or with similar or other representations or shapes or numbers or letters or colours
(d) bingo machines
(e) machines that have the ability to zero any result or indication and transfer such data to memory
(f) any other game of chance machine which at the discretion of the National Betting Authority (NBA), falls within the meaning of the term slot machine
(g) any computer accessory or attachment which may be applied and operated through a screen as a slot machine.

  • Carrying out a Class A bet in premises which are not licensed by the Authority or carrying out a Class B bet (online bet) on a website which is not licensed by the Authority and/or the provision of illegal betting services.

For the purpose of informing the public and all interested parties in respect of licensed companies/bookmakers , the licensed authorized representatives as well as licensed premises for the provision of Class A betting services, relevant registers are posted on the Authority’s website under the link Registers.

There is also a relevant blocking list posted on the link blocking.nba.com.cy in respect of websites which are not licensed by the Authority as bookmakers for the provision of Class B betting services and/or which provide illegal betting services. You can also visit the home page of the Authority’s website in this respect.

  • The persons who are registered as players (by submitting a relevant registration application) with a Class B bookmaker (website) and do not meet the following criteria are considered to be illegal:

(α) They have not completed 18 years of age at the time of registration
(b) They do not submit their identity details
(c) They do not submit their address of residence
(d) They do not submit a valid e-mail address
(e) They do not certify that they have been informed of the terms and conditions in which bets are carried out, including the fee to be given to the licensed Class B bookmaker.

  • The registration of a person who has not completed 18 years of age, as a player on a website that belongs to a Class B bookmaker.
  • Any person who invites, incites or allows a minor (who has not completed 18 years of age) to participate in a bet or to enter licensed premises, shall be guilty of an offense and is involved in an illegal activity.

Explanation of definitions

A game of chance means a game the result of which depends partly on luck and which is played by paying money or movable or immovable property, or with credit, or with any other object that has economic value irrespective as to whether it yields any financial gain to the player.

On line casino means on line games of chance in which a direct link may be obtained either (a) through terminal machines interlinked with a central computerised system, or (b) with electronic computers through telecommunications and or any other appliance which may be used for such a link and includes, inter alia, on line roulette, on line poker and slot machines.

Slot machine means any mechanical, electric or other appliance, device or machine which, by either inserting a coin or a note, token or other similar object, or any other form of payment, provides the user with the ability to operate the same or play a game of chance, resulting in a return of cash or objects of a value or a reward or credit units or tokens or anything else which yields an economic value, irrespective of whether the return of the above is made automatically from the appliance, devise or machine or in any other manner and includes the following machines:

(a) poker machines or any other similar game with a pack of playing cards or other variations or representations
(b) horse racing machines or machines for races or speed, such as dog racing, car racing or other;
(c) machines known as “fruit machines” or with similar or other representations or shapes or numbers or letters or colours
(d) bingo machines, irrespective of any adjustment or addition that tends to liken it with another type of machine
(e) machines that have the ability to zero any result or indication and transfer such data to memory, either through the operator or by any other person
(f) any other game of chance machine which at the Authority’s discretion falls within the meaning of the term slot machine and
(g) any computer accessory or attachment which may be applied and operated through a screen as a slot machine.