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National Betting Authority Mobilizes Covert Agents To Bolster Compliance And Safeguard Integrity

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 21, 2026

Covert Enforcement Measures In Betting Agencies

The National Betting Authority (ΕΑΣ) has deployed a team of 150 undercover agents who pose as customers to rigorously assess compliance at betting agencies. By engaging private sector services, the ΕΑΣ ensures that agency owners and employees strictly adhere to legal requirements, including the prevention of illegal betting and the exclusion of underage individuals from premises.

Comprehensive Inspections And Regulatory Oversight

During their visits, these agents meticulously observe employee actions and verify that all operations comply with established law. In tandem with these undercover checks, ΕΑΣ officials conduct immediate on-site inspections while also monitoring online gaming platforms that attract hundreds of bettors. Additionally, inspections are extended to betting companies to detect any indications of money laundering.

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Financial Penalties And Regulatory Impact

Recent disclosures to the parliamentary Economic Committee outlined that last year, fines totaling €46,000 were imposed on several betting agents for non-compliance with licensing and adherence regulations. Approximately €26,000 of these fines targeted violations related to licensing provisions while additional revenue was generated from infractions such as permitting underage patronage.

Record-Breaking Betting Volumes And Revenue Growth

Data presented before parliament indicate that last year saw bets amounting to approximately €1.3 billion, with winnings totaling €1.17 billion. Furthermore, due to an increase in betting taxes, the state’s collections surged to €6 million from €3.2 million the previous year.

Legislative Proposals And Future Revenue Projections

Discussions with the Ministry of Finance have been underway for over a year, focusing on a legislative draft that aims to introduce new products, enhance safe gaming practices, and bolster the protection of minors. The ministry has explicitly stated that there are no plans to offer online casino gaming. Meanwhile, the ΕΑΣ is forecast to generate revenues of approximately €71.85 million this year—a 28.03% increase over 2025 figures—with further growth projected in the coming years.

Breakdown Of Revenue Streams

Revenue streams include €53 million from betting activity taxes, €8.2 million from licensing fees, and an additional €10 million from betting activity contributions. For licensed operators in both Class A (land-based) and Class B (online) betting, a tax of 10% is applied to net earnings. Moreover, measures linked to the new contract with OPAP Cyprus ensure that the state will collect €32 million from betting taxes based on gross earnings, as well as supplementary fees from licensing and supervisory contributions.

This rigorous oversight and systematic enforcement reflect the commitment of the National Betting Authority to uphold legal standards and secure the integrity of both physical and online betting operations.

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Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

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European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.