The National Betting Authority (NBA) in Cyprus has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in advertisements for unlicensed online casinos on major social media platforms. Many of these sites operate without the required authorisation, violating Cyprus’s strict gambling regulations.
One growing concern is the use of public figures in ads — often without their consent — to create a false sense of legitimacy. The NBA warned that this tactic can mislead viewers and lure them into illegal gambling activities.
In Cyprus, online casino operations remain prohibited under national gambling laws. The regulator stressed that interacting with illicit platforms poses serious risks, including potential breaches of personal and financial data, as well as direct monetary losses.
To stay safe, the NBA urged the public to verify a platform’s licensing status, avoid suspicious apps or links, and report questionable advertising. It reminded residents that both the registry of licensed operators and the list of prohibited sites are available on its official website.
The authority also reiterated past warnings about fake pages that redirect users to illegal gambling operators, urging extra caution when engaging with online betting content.
