Cyprus’ betting industry continued to expand during the opening three months of 2026, with players wagering more than €360 million through licensed land-based and online operators.
Figures released by the National Betting Authority show total gross betting revenue reached €360.1 million between January and March, an increase of 12% compared with the first quarter of 2025. The strongest growth came from the online sector. Licensed online betting operators generated €273 million, up 17% year on year. In contrast, revenue from licensed betting shops slipped slightly by 1% to €87.1 million.
Gamblers received €314.2 million in winnings during the quarter, also representing a 12% annual increase. Betting companies retained €45.9 million in revenue after payouts, an improvement of 11% from the same period last year. The number of licensed betting shops across Cyprus edged up to 459, a rise of 1%, while employment in the sector grew by 10% to 1,529 workers.
The authority also continued its campaign against illegal gambling websites. By the end of the first quarter, its blacklist contained 22,415 unlicensed websites, including 406 added in Q1.
