BW Game Hub Cyprus: The Complete Guide to Online Casinos

The Complete Guide to Online Casinos in Cyprus

Cyprus is home to some of the top casino resorts in Europe. While land-based gambling is permitted, surprisingly, online gaming isn’t. The online casino Cyprus sector still exists in a grey area, with the National Betting Authority (NBA) only licensing sports betting sites rather than casinos.

Because of this, players often resort to offshore platforms. While there are plenty to pick from, the key is to choose a safe and secure online casino to play slots online in Cyprus. This is harder than it seems, but we’re here to help.

In the guide below, we’ll cover the necessary steps to choose safe internationally licensed online casinos and what else to pay attention to before joining.

The Regulatory Divide: NBA Class B vs. Offshore Casinos

There’s a strict legal divide in Cyprus in regards to online gambling versus online betting. The NBA (the regulatory authority, not the professional basketball league) oversees the gambling sector, but issues Class B licenses to digital sportsbooks only.

Per the law, slot machines and chance-based games are excluded from the framework. Due to this, Cypriot players rely on offshore gaming platforms to play table games, live dealer titles, and online slots and jackpots.

Internationally-licensed casinos such as Betway Cyprus offer their services to local players. Player should stick to MGA-licensed casinos for fair RTPs, a large selection of games, and casino offers. An MGA casino in Cyprus offers all of this, with state-of-the-art security in the mix as well.

User-friendly payment methods are another fit for local residents, so despite the grey zone casino sites operate in, they do offer plenty of convenience.

Payment Friction: Why Revolut is King in Cyprus

Local banking institutions such as the Bank of Cyprus or the Hellenic Bank most often delay or block direct credit and debit card deposits to offshore casino sites. This creates a lot of friction and confusion among Cypriot players, who are left scrambling to find an alternative.

That alternative exists on international casino sites in the form of e-wallets and similar digital payment solutions. Betway, for example, accepts several of these payment methods, including the top one in the country – Revolut.

Revolut has quickly gained a lot of attention from Cypriot players for its fast and safe transfers. There are zero fees on EUR deposits and withdrawals, while offering top-tier SSL encryption. The other popular options include Neteller and Skrill. Both are available in EUR, so you can avoid currency conversion fees. However, they are often excluded from bonus eligibility, which needs to be confirmed before using.

Both are built specifically for online gambling, and act as an ideal bridge between online casinos and local bank accounts. Revolut still remains the king in Cyprus, with a growing number of players using it.

The Digital City of Dreams: Live Casinos

Casinos in Cyprus offer high-stakes action at massive gambling resorts. Players from the capital of Nicosia, Ayia Napa, and Paphos often take trips to these resorts just for a few rounds of blackjack. However, more and more are joining the live casino wave, where they get a digital substitute to gambling at physical resorts.

Live dealer games are played in real time against human dealers, and aim to replicate the atmosphere of physical casino play. Studios such as Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play Live are leaders in the sector, with innovative games that push the boundaries of live casino gaming.

VIP game tables with high limits and interactive game shows streamed to mobile devices are the main driver of the growth of live casinos. Due to their nature, these games can only be played for real money, which isn’t an issue for international casinos such as Betway Cyprus that accept fast digital payment solutions.

Quick Tips for Cypriot Casino Players

Now that you know the market’s ins and outs, you’re probably itching to get started. Check out a few further tips before you do for an even better experience.

• Always verify licenses: For the best gaming experience, verify the license first. Simply scroll down to the bottom of the website and check the badge. If it’s MGA or Curaçao, you’re golden.
• Use e-wallets for privacy: E-wallets allow for quick digital transactions and keep your gaming bankroll separated from the primary local bank account. This helps you avoid transaction blocks. Revolut or Skrill serve this purpose nicely.
• Beware of VPN blocks: Offshore sites may be open to Cypriot players, but using VPN is sometimes prohibited. Check the terms and conditions of the platforms to ensure that you can use VPN apps for access.