North Cyprus plans to introduce new laws allowing Turkish Cypriots with TRNC identity cards to legally enter casinos for the first time.
The ruling coalition introduced the proposed legislation, which opposition MP Salahi Sahiner exposed during a heated discussion in parliament this week.
The North Cyprus casino law changes would also grant automatic casino permits to hotels offering more than 1,000 beds to guests.
Lawmakers included a proposal to remove the limit of five casino licenses per company currently enforced across North Cyprus.
The updated legislation would also allow casinos to open near schools and inside towns or cities—previously banned under existing laws.
Sahiner strongly criticized the bill, accusing the government of prioritizing casino interests while citizens face increasing economic and social hardship daily.
“These reforms encourage delayed tax payments and open the door for unlimited casino licenses,” Sahiner stated in his passionate parliamentary address.
He added, “While society suffers from debt and unrest, the government protects casinos instead of addressing public struggles and collapsing finances.”
North Cyprus casino law changes follow a 2024 tax reform that cut casino tax rates in half to attract more investment.
In December, the parliament approved a betting levy to support football clubs, sparking major backlash from critics and financial watchdogs.
Critics argued the levy rewarded mismanaged clubs and diverted attention away from more sustainable methods of sports development and revenue generation.
