The draft law relates to Information Society services. More specifically, it relates to the provision of gambling services, where the player is physically present at the betting shop in order to validate his or her participation through a terminal.

Draft law entitled ‘2017 Law on certain gambling services'

The purpose of the draft law is to revise the regulatory framework governing the provision of gambling services in the Republic of Cyprus, in order for it to meet the requirements of EU law as well as to ensure the protection of citizens against the various risks posed by gambling, by providing strict regulations and appropriate control and supervisory mechanisms on behalf of the relevant state authorities.

The draft law grants to a gambling services provider the exclusive right to provide gambling services, under specific terms and conditions. The provider is selected on the basis of a specific procedure laid down in the draft law. The state control on the provider and on the services provided will be exercised on an ex-post basis by the National Betting Authority (NBA) and on an ex-ante basis by a three-member control committee, in a consistent and systematic way. The aim of this is to combat crime related to gambling as well as to address illegal gambling. According to the draft law, the provider pays to the Republic, on a monthly basis, a gambling tax as well as a certain amount as sponsorship for the organisation of sport and social activities and activities of public interest in the Republic; these amounts are defined as a percentage on the gross profits of the provider from the provision of gambling services. The draft law also provides for the strict regulation, control and supervision of the operation of betting shops used for the provision of gambling services, as well as for the strict regulation of the organisation, operation and provision of gambling services. In addition, the draft law authorises the ΝBA to open disciplinary procedures against the provider in case of non-compliance with the requirements of the draft law and to impose administrative fines; it also includes a number of criminal law provisions regarding offences as defined in the draft law. Finally, the draft law includes a number of general provisions relating to the protection of the public.