CYPRUS: Draft bill for casino resort goes to parliament

The draft bill that will regulate the establishment, operation, function, control and supervision of a casino resort has been sent to parliament, after it was approved by the Council of Ministers two weeks ago.

The government said that “the relevant regulations have been drafted and, following the completion of legal review by the Office of the Attorney General, will be presented to the House of Representatives for enactment.”
The Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism has invited interested parties to provide comments relating to the draft regulations, which have been posted on the Ministry’s website, www.mcit.gov.cy while comments can be sent by email to [email protected] until January 16, 2015.
The draft bill determines a single casino-resort operator, who may also issue sub-licenses to smaller gaming operators in other locations.
This will now send all the towns’ tourism bodies and hotel operators into a frenzy to lure the operator, with one argument saying the location should be a seaside town, while other prefer the capital or even the mountainous regions that need a tourism boost.
The draft bill also lays down the ground rules for gaming, amounts to be allowed and screening of locals to prevent issues of addiction, as well as age limits and access.