Cyprus: National Betting Authority Reveals Strong Growth in Q3 2023

The National Betting Authority has released the financial outcomes for the third quarter of 2023, showcasing a continual surge in the revenue of the betting sector, underscoring its robust and consistent growth.

As per the disclosed financial results, the gross betting revenue for both Class A (land-based betting) and Class B (online betting) recipients reached €259,440,696. This signifies a noteworthy 9% surge in comparison to the third quarter of 2022 (€238,175,857) and an even more substantial 35% increase in contrast to the third quarter of 2021 (€192,087,098).

Breaking down the figures, Class A recipients contributed €70,941,349, while Class B recipients accounted for €188,499,347 of the total gross revenue. Class A recipients observed an 8% increase in gross revenue compared to the same period in 2022 and a substantial 21% surge in comparison to the third quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, Class B recipients experienced a 9% rise compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022 and an impressive 41% increase compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Profits for both Class A and B players continued their upward trajectory, reaching €232,011,110. This represents an 11% uptick compared to the same period in 2022 and a notable 38% increase from the third quarter of 2021. Notably, the lion’s share of profits, specifically €172,726,941, belonged to Class B players during this quarter.

However, Class A and B betting earnings totaled €27,429,585, reflecting an 8% decrease compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year (€29,705,139). Specifically, Class A betting receipts amounted to €11,657,180, marking a 14% decrease compared to the third quarter of 2022, while Class B betting receipts totaled €15,772,406, presenting a 2% decrease compared to the same period.

Examining the landscape of Class A properties, their number decreased by 2% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The licensed properties, predominantly concentrated in Nicosia (169), Limassol (140), Larnaca (88), Paphos (54), and Famagusta (39), amounted to a total of 490 Cypriots.

Despite the positive financial indicators, there was a 44% increase in license cancellations or application withdrawals compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022. The number of individuals employed in licensed premises reached 1472, showcasing a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Addressing the issue of illegal betting, the report highlighted a 2% increase in blocked websites compared to the second quarter of 2023, with a total of 339 illegal websites added to the list. The current roster of prohibited betting service websites now stands at 18,577.