Head of the Gambling Authority: “First encounter with gambling in Cyprus starts at age 12”

The issue of minors participating in gambling is becoming increasingly serious in Cyprus. Despite existing legislation, more and more teenagers are gaining access to betting and online games, bypassing age restrictions.

The author of the article, Panagiotis Trisokkas, Chairman of the National Gambling Authority of Cyprus (Εθνική Αρχή Στοιχημάτων, ΕΑΣ), notes that combating this trend requires the involvement not only of the state but also of parents, schools, and society as a whole.

According to him, teenagers’ first exposure to gambling typically occurs at the age of 12–13, most often via online platforms. Even with technical restrictions, minors find ways to bypass them — using adult data or unlicensed websites not monitored by Cypriot regulators.

Such practices, warns Trisokkas, carry serious risks — the development of gambling addiction, financial losses, and psychological problems. According to ΕΑΣ data, more than 21,000 illegal sites were blocked last year alone, and hundreds of accounts belonging to minors were removed.

As part of prevention, from October 13 to 19, Cyprus will host the 8th Safe Gaming Week, organized by the National Authority. The program includes lectures, meetings with parents, workshops for students, and training for educators. The main goal is to raise awareness of risks and teach children to recognize early signs of addiction.

Panagiotis Trisokkas emphasizes that no child should be left unattended if warning signs appear — constant online presence, hiding information, increasing debts, or aggression when access to games is restricted.

He urged parents and teachers to seek help from specialized services, including the “Perseas” Adolescent and Family Counseling Center and the free support line 1456.

“Protecting minors is not only a legal issue but also a moral duty of society. Each of us is responsible for ensuring that our children grow up in a safe environment where gambling does not replace real life,” emphasized the head of ΕΑΣ.