TLDR
- Cyprus’ National Betting Authority has called for stronger action against illegal gambling as the 9th Safer Gambling Week begins.
- Chairman Panayiotis Trisokkas said player protection must go beyond meeting regulatory requirements.
- The 9th Safer Gambling Conference on October 12 looked at how AI and data tools can help detect risky gambling early.
- The Finance Ministry said growth in the gambling sector should not come at the cost of consumer protection.
- Safer Gambling Week runs from October 12 to 18 under the message “Play within limits. Play safely.”
Cyprus’ National Betting Authority has called for tougher action against illegal gambling. The message came as the country opened its 9th Safer Gambling Week.
The authority said protecting players must go beyond following the rules. It wants stronger prevention measures and better technology to spot risks before they turn into harm.
Panayiotis Trisokkas, chairman of the National Betting Authority, shared these views at the 9th Safer Gambling Conference on October 12. The event brought together experts from academia, research, regulation, and the gambling industry, from Cyprus and abroad.
Speakers discussed illegal betting, artificial intelligence, public health, and player protection. Each topic tied back to how regulators can better protect people who gamble.
Regulator Says Rules Need Regular Review
Trisokkas said gambling rules must be checked often to make sure they still fit real market conditions. He said the rules must also respond to new risks as they appear.
In his view, meeting regulatory requirements is not enough on its own. Rules also need to address the real problems that players and authorities face.
The conference looked at how hard it can be to find and respond to illegal gambling. Speakers also discussed the psychological and biological factors linked to risk-taking.
Illegal betting remains one of the main concerns for the National Betting Authority. The regulator says it needs better ways to prevent it in order to support a sustainable gambling industry.
AI and Data Tools Discussed at Conference
Technology was one of the main topics at the event. Experts examined how AI and other tools could be used to detect harmful gambling activity.
Trisokkas said these technologies could help authorities and operators better understand player behavior. This could lead to faster interventions and stronger protections for customers who show signs of risky gambling.
Digital tools may also help regulators keep up with illegal gambling as it changes. Some risks are hard to spot through normal compliance checks, and technology could help identify them.
The conference also covered responsible advertising and the duties of communication professionals. The goal is to make sure gambling messages are handled in a way that protects players.
Lucy Herodotou Mouskou, director of financial management of the central government, represented the Finance Ministry at the event. She praised the authority’s work but said the sector’s growth should not come at the cost of consumer protection.
Mouskou said economic performance should not be the only way to judge the industry. She named effective regulation, transparency, and public safeguards as equally important.
She also shared a message from the Finance Minister. It said economic prosperity cannot be separated from protecting citizens.
According to the minister’s message, people who gamble should do so responsibly and within safe limits. The state has a duty to offer support when those limits are crossed.
The conference marked the start of Safer Gambling Week. The week includes education and awareness sessions on responsible gambling.
This year’s campaign uses the message “Play within limits. Play safely.” It focuses on self-control, spotting harmful behavior, and making informed choices.
The campaign also aims to raise awareness among young people and vulnerable groups about betting risks and the tools that can help prevent harm. Safer Gambling Week continues through October 18.
