Greek state monopoly OPAP now has an open path on the Cypriot online gaming market, with the Cyprus government&s new enforcement measures against online gambling, including the National Betting Authority&s blacklist of around 270 illegal online gambling sites.
These will be banned by the country’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from accessing Cypriots punters within 72 hours. Those who do not comply with the order will face fines of up to Euro 30,000.
Some of the major companies found themselves on the blacklist – Bwin.Party Digital, Betfair and William Hill. However, thanks to the fact that they have already pulled out of the Greek and Cyprus markets, many of the major European companies will not receive a blow by the measures.
At the same time when the government strives to ban all non-OPAP internet operators, some of its members and opposition parties are advocating the legalisation of land-based gambling on the island.