Cyprus is considering a ban on gambling for welfare recipients
Legislators and regulators in Cyprus are discussing how to identify recipients of the so-called Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) and restrict their access to gambling. The discussions arose due to concerns that state benefits might be used for betting by vulnerable households.
The discussion involved members of the parliamentary audit committee, the commissioner for data protection, representatives from the Welfare Benefits Administration Service, the Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission, and the National Betting Authority. Executive Director of the commission, Harris Tsangarides, stated that the regulator observed an increase in gambling activity on GMI payout dates. Options under consideration include cross-referencing beneficiary data with casino membership databases and gaining more detailed access to banking information.
Participants noted that legal, technical, and privacy-related limitations could hinder the implementation of these measures. Data protection commissioner Maria Christofidou acknowledged the potential legal grounds for extended access to banking information, though some deputies pointed out the risks of stigmatization. Online gambling was discussed separately: about 80% of gambling activity in Cyprus occurs online, making digital monitoring and exclusion tools potentially more effective, according to the authorities.