Best online casinos in Cyprus (2024)
Cyprus, an island country in the eastern Mediterranean, is home to many avid casino enthusiasts. Currently, there is a strict regulation in place and online gambling in Cyprus is prohibited except for sports betting. According to the law, Cypriots’ thirst for casino games and slots is limited to the land-based licensed casinos. Despite that, many international online casinos manage to offer their services to Cypriot players. However, not all of them are reliable. Thus, we thoroughly reviewed casino sites in Cyprus product-wise and in terms of safety & transparency; to separate the trustworthy from the shady ones.
Best Cypriot casino sites
The following list contains the best online casinos Cyprus has to offer. They offer enticing welcome packages, 900+ slots from top providers, and fast payouts. So, go ahead and check out our top choices in the list below and you will surely find the one that is a match.
How do we rate the best casinos online in Cyprus?
Since several foreign casinos have already been blacklisted by the Cypriot National Betting Authority; we highlight the features that the top international online casinos in Cyprus share and list them below.
Top-tier bonuses
In most cases, Cyprus online casinos come with an appealing welcome package for your first deposit (i.e. 100% up to 500 EUR + 50 free spins). Besides that, there are plenty of other bonus types, such as reload bonuses, exclusive no deposit bonuses, and free spins. Needless to say that you will have to pay attention to the terms & conditions. If they have an unrealistic rollover demand or too many games are excluded from the wagering, it is difficult to make your winnings withdrawable and you should consider it twice before choosing this specific bonus.
Licensed by well-established international authorities
Numerous international online sites excel in providing amazing casino offerings, even if it is not easy to receive a local license. However, they have been licensed by reputable gambling authorities (e.g. MGA). In this way, they ensure a safe playing environment with data protection mechanisms, strict verification processes, and clear T&Cs.
Big variety of slots and games
It’s worth noting that the best online casinos in Cyprus come with a wide array of slots and games. Our list included those that offer all popular table games such as roulette, blackjack, bingo, and baccarat. If you consider yourself a fan of live-dealer games, in the majority of Cyprus online casinos you will find 20+ live tables of blackjack and roulette available. Apart from that, since slots are among the games with the greatest demand in Cyprus, online casino sites offer at least 900 titles each, with many of them having a progressive jackpot as well.
Games by top-notch software providers
We reviewed the games featured on casino sites in Cyprus and they are offered by the most known software providers. Big names such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play’n Go, Novomatic, and Yggdrasil are among them. Regular tests are being conducted by gambling authorities like GLI and this way you can be sure that you don’t put your money on rigged games.
RTP validation warranty
What’s more important is the fact that the overall payout of online casinos in Cyprus is verified; as the operators with international licenses have their games regularly tested by third-party testing agencies (i.e. iTech Labs, TST) which make sure that the RTP (Return To Player) is valid.
Quick and secure transactions
Most of the Cyprus casino sites operating with international licenses offer a quite big selection of payments, such as Skrill, Neteller and Paysafe. Regardless of which one of the aforementioned you choose, bear in mind that you will be able to deposit and withdraw your funds instantly and safely.
Mobile casino
Lately, more and more Cypriot players are searching for online casinos to play fast and under the radar. Thus, the demand for a mobile casino in Cyprus keeps growing. Luckily, we are ready to present an array of online casino sites with handy mobile platforms. You can sit at every table game or slot by pressing less than 2 buttons on your device. On rare occasions, several games are not available on the mobile version but, definitely, you will be compensated in terms of comfort and speed.
How do online casinos in Cyprus operate
The National Betting Authority (NBA) is the supervising regulator for online gambling sites operating within Cyprus. According to the Betting Act of 2012, the only form of online gambling allowed in Cyprus is sports betting, both land-based and online. As of today, online casinos cannot even apply for a license and are considered illegal. Several of them comprise the NBA’s blacklist; with more than 2,500 casino sites being in it.
In 2015 the Cyprus Gaming Commission (CGC) was established under the Cyprus Casino Control Law and is responsible for all land-based casinos operating in the country. As of today, several land-based casinos have obtained a license from the CGC mainly owned by Melco Group. The last addition is the City of Dreams, a luxury all-inclusive resort with a casino containing more than 900 slots and at least 100 tables, which will begin operations in mid-2021.
Local players are choosing online sites for their activity, regardless of the active gambling laws in the country. It is worth noting that there are no real threats towards players that use their services. So, provided that you are 18 or above you are free to opt for online casino sites with accredited operating licenses.
Are Cypriot online casino sites safe?
Currently, the majority of online casinos in Cyprus have acquired a license issued by prestigious gambling authorities such as UKGC or MGA; which means that player safety and protection are their main concern. They use encryption technology to keep their players’ personal information and payments’ info safe. Plus, the best casinos in Cyprus have their table games & slots regularly tested by third-party independent agencies, as we previously mentioned, and this is proof that their games are safe and not rigged.
Moreover, you need to keep in mind that even if online gambling in Cyprus is illegal (except for sports betting) and the NBA has issued a blacklist that is constantly renewed; the government shows a certain tolerance towards players who opt for international online casinos. There are no prosecutions or fines towards players and since these sites are not included in the regulated framework, all winnings deriving from them are tax-free. On the opposite side, all winnings coming from the land-based casinos and exceed 100 EUR are subject to 15% tax.
How to deposit at Cyprus online casino sites
The Cyprus gambling market has been on the rise in recent years and more and more payment options are becoming available to local players. However, international sites do not present any dedicated payments for Cyprus. Thus, Cyprus casino players have maintained the classic bank transfer and debit cards as the most popular payment methods. However, since online casinos in Cyprus are typically restricted, the obvious choice that rose to prominence are e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and Paysafe. They guarantee speedy payouts, with transactions hardly taking longer than 24 hours to be completed, anonymity, and don’t involve your bank account in any way. Whichever of the above you may select, rest assured that they are more than safe and the best online casinos in Cyprus have them available at your disposal.
Advantages of Cypriot online casinos
Below we will take a closer look at the pros that international online casinos operating in Cyprus have and compare them with the local land-based Cypriot casinos. Our head-to-head comparison will consist of the most critical aspects, such as slots & games diversity and safety.
✔ Games & slots diversity: Typically we cannot compare international online casinos available in Cyprus with local ones, as there is no locally licensed online casino operating in the whole country. Despite that, we will attempt to do it with land-based casinos such as Casino Limassol and C2 Cyprus casino. These casinos offer approximately 300-500 slot machines each and about 10-15 tables for roulette and blackjack. Undoubtedly, it is much less than the number of slots (around 1,000) and tables (20+) that are provided by reputable software suppliers.
✔ Clear terms & conditions: International online casinos that come with distinguished licenses are obliged to follow certain rules adopted by the gambling authorities and have transparent terms. We need to mention this, as there are several scam casinos that haven’t been blacklisted by the NBA yet. So you need to be very cautious and not get misled by them. Proper KYC verification, RTP percentage display, and clear bonus terms are the most important characteristics that you will have to notice, before registering in international online casinos. This way you will have a safe gambling experience.
✔ Top-level support: In case you need guidance and assistance with several issues related to your account such as registration and bonus terms, rest assured that most real money casinos in Cyprus operating online offer a well-organized support department. They come with many communication channels, such as live chat, email, telephone, and social platforms. They usually operate 24/7 and you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home.
✔ Financial security & payments: The vast majority of payment options (i.e. cards, bank transfer, e-wallets) are available in most Cyprus online casino sites and this helps to ensure flexibility to complete your transactions. On the contrary, local land-based casinos still have quite limited options. Apart from that, most international operators use a centralized transaction system, like Worldpay, and an encryption system to ensure the safety and integrity of their payments and prevent malicious acts like money laundering or terrorist financing.
Disadvantages of Cypriot casino sites
Even if there are significant pros, we also have to record all the cons that Cyprus online casinos have. What exactly can make you decide it’s not worth it to play online? Let’s find out.
❌ Lack of Greek language: Having said that, there are quite a few international online casinos in Cyprus that acknowledge Cypriot players’ need for a website offered in Greek, the demand is still considered small. For this reason, international sites are prevented from choosing Greek to provide their services.
❌ Low-level complaints resolution: There is no report within the existing law framework that protects the Cyprus online casino players from a potential dispute between them and the casino operator. So currently it is safe to say that you may opt for a trusted online casino site with an accredited gambling license in order to address your concern or dispute after an official complaint process.
❌ Potential scam online casinos: Despite the government’s efforts to control the online gambling market and blacklist several untrustworthy online casinos, there are still lots that have escaped its net. These usually operate without a license and don’t come under the control of any regulatory body. In most cases, their games are rigged, they use mirror sites to control RTP, deliberately delay withdrawals, or even withhold your winnings without a reason. So, it’s self-evident that you need to stick to the safe side and choose licensed online casinos like the ones featured in our analysis.
Is it worth playing on online casino sites in Cyprus?
It is more than obvious that in Cyprus, casino online has taken major steps towards players’ acceptance and preference within the last few years. However, there still exist dangers that need to be taken seriously by all Cypriot players in order to choose a safe and well-established casino. The casinos we reviewed above follow certain principles, such as reputable international licensing, a big variety of slots and games, attractive bonuses, and thorough audits for their transaction safety and payout percentage. So, if you are still looking for the best casino in Cyprus, we strongly advise you to pick one from our list.
Sports betting is the only type of online gambling that is allowed in Cyprus for the time being, as there are only 12 operators that have obtained the relevant license. However, international online casinos also manage to operate in Cyprus and accept local players, freely.
The only casinos that are licensed in Cyprus are the brick-and-mortar ones that are regulated by the Cyprus Gaming Comission. Nevertheless, many well-established international online casinos also offer their services to Cypriot players, without fear of prosecution from the local authorities.
The legal gambling age for Cypriot players in order to participate in lotteries or sports betting is 18 years old. Nonetheless, in order to enter and play in land-based casinos, you need to be at least 21 years old.
If you are of legal age (18), you may find a reputable online casino with an accredited license, like the ones featured in our analysis, that accepts players from Cyprus and begin your activity there.
Due to the current legal framework in which international online casinos are considered illegal; many of them are regularly monitored and eventually get blacklisted by the NBA. Thus, you need to make sure that you will opt for reputable casino sites in order to have a safe gambling experience.
In land-based casinos operating in Cyprus, there is a 15% taxation applied on your winnings above 100 EUR and 20% above 500 EUR. On the other hand, if you choose a foreign online casino, there is absolutely no tax that you will ever possibly pay.
The National Betting Authority (NBA) is the sports betting regulator for both land-based and online operators and the Cyprus Gaming Commission (CGC) is responsible for licensing and supervising the country’s land-based casinos.
Licensed casino venues and casino-hotels are completely legal and trustworthy in Cyprus. Apart from them, there are several international online casinos having acquired a reputable license from well-established gambling authorities, available for Cypriot players.
Even though there is a lack of local payments in online casinos, you may find the majority of the most known global online payments at your disposal; including credit/debit cards, bank wire, e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller and Paysafe, and in a few sites even cryptos.
The famous gambling company operates legally in Cyprus via its bet365 cy domain; but players get to enjoy only its sports betting product, due to the fact that its online casino in Cyprus is illegal.