On the occasion of Safer Gambling Week, the Cyprus Online Gaming Association (COGA) sends a clear message: player protection – especially for young people – must advance through a modern and effective regulatory framework.
The Association actively supports the campaign, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sector in Cyprus.
Founded in May 2025 with the participation of leading operators – Stoiximan, Bet365, and Bet on Alfa – COGA places responsible operation and sustainable growth of online gaming at the core of its mission. Its goal is to serve as the institutional voice of the industry.
Through its actions during Safer Gambling Week, the Association renews the discussion on the need for a robust regulatory framework to safeguard both the market and players.
As COGA President Angelos Chontoulidis emphasized, “The online casino market already exists today — it simply operates without rules. This means a lack of protection for players, loss of tax revenue for the state, and an unregulated environment. It is time for a clear and modern regulatory framework.”
Panos Giannisis, Head of Legal & Compliance at Stoiximan, stated, “It is important that we are now at a stage where the new bill is expected to regulate markets that have so far remained unregulated, such as online casinos. Through a clear licensing framework, the market will gain credibility and growth potential, to the benefit of everyone.”
The representative from Bet365, added, “A clear and effective regulatory framework is essential to ensure transparency and responsible market operations, for the benefit of both players and operators.”
As part of the campaign led by the National Betting Authority, COGA is implementing awareness and community initiatives to promote responsible participation and raise awareness about the risks of online betting. At the same time, the Association has initiated meetings with political and institutional stakeholders to strengthen the dialogue on the sector’s prospects and the need for a strong regulatory framework.
With the official establishment of COGA, Cyprus gains a key institutional interlocutor between the State and the industry. The Association aims to play a catalytic role in promoting high operational standards, ensuring transparency, and creating new employment opportunities that will strengthen the Cypriot economy.
