Launch your iGaming business: a Cyprus company + the right international gaming licence.
We structure online gaming operators end-to-end — a Cyprus company as your EU corporate, tax and IP base, combined with a gaming licence in a suitable foreign jurisdiction, plus banking, payments and AML/compliance setup. Cyprus does not issue online casino licences; we build the model that does.
30 minutes · no obligation · talk to a qualified Cyprus advocate, not a salesperson.
- Regulated Cyprus advisors
- Multi-jurisdiction expertise
- End-to-end & compliance-first
We structure your gaming business end-to-end
iGaming Cyprus designs and builds the complete structure: a Cyprus company as your EU corporate, tax and IP base, combined with a gaming licence held in a suitable foreign jurisdiction, plus the banking, payments and AML/compliance setup that makes it operate. We provide advisory only — we do not operate gambling.
Cyprus corporate vehicle
An EU company — holding, IP and/or back-office — as your tax-efficient, substance-backed base.
Foreign gaming licence
The right licence for your product and markets: Malta, Curaçao, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Anjouan and more.
Banking & payments
Introductions and onboarding support with banks, EMIs and high-risk payment processors that serve licensed gaming.
AML & compliance
KYC/AML frameworks, responsible-gaming tooling, player-fund segregation, GDPR and geo-restriction.
Cyprus is the corporate base — not the licence
Cyprus is the EU corporate, tax and IP-holding base for an iGaming group, not the jurisdiction that issues the gaming licence. A Cyprus company offers a 15% headline corporate tax (from 2026), an effective rate of roughly 3% on qualifying software IP, 65+ tax treaties and EU market access — while the gaming licence is held in a foreign jurisdiction.
15% corporate tax — among the EU’s lowest
Cyprus raised its headline corporate income tax to 15% from 1 January 2026 to align with the OECD Pillar Two global minimum. It remains one of the lowest headline rates in the EU.
Source: PwC Tax Summaries ↗~3% effective on qualifying software IP
The Cyprus IP Box gives an 80% notional deduction on qualifying IP profit — an effective rate of roughly 3% on income from copyright-protected platform and game software (brands/trademarks are excluded).
Source: Mondaq — Cyprus IP Box ↗EU member & eurozone
Cyprus has been an EU member since 2004 and uses the euro. A Cyprus company benefits from freedom of establishment and EU directives such as Parent-Subsidiary and Interest & Royalties.
Source: European Union ↗65+ double-tax treaties
Cyprus has a treaty network of roughly 65–70+ jurisdictions, with 0% domestic withholding tax on outbound dividends, interest and royalties for rights used outside Cyprus.
Source: PwC — Withholding taxes ↗Banking, EMI & PSP ecosystem
Cyprus hosts established payment institutions, EMIs and (under MiCA) crypto-asset providers — useful supporting infrastructure for a licensed gaming group, alongside specialist high-risk acquirers.
Source: Mondaq — iGaming banking ↗Talent & professional-services hub
Limassol is an established forex, fintech and iGaming hub with a deep, multilingual professional-services layer across corporate, legal, audit, tax and AML/compliance.
Source: Emerald Zebra ↗What the IP Box does to your tax rate
Cyprus’s headline corporate tax is 15%. But income from qualifying software IP — your platform or game engine — gets an 80% deduction, so only a fifth is taxed. In plain terms: the effective rate on that income drops to roughly 3%.
Read the IP Box & tax guide →Accurate by design: Cyprus does not licence online casinos. Under the Betting Law of 2019, the National Betting Authority licenses sports betting only (Class A land-based, Class B online). For casino, slots or poker, the licence is obtained abroad — and we tell you exactly how the two fit together.
Why the structure is tax-efficient
The Cyprus IP Box taxes only 20% of income from qualifying software IP. On a 15% headline rate, that works out to an effective rate of roughly 3% — alongside a wide treaty network and no withholding tax on payments out to non-resident owners.
The 80% deduction means four-fifths of qualifying IP income is exempt; the remaining fifth is taxed at the 15% headline rate.
Compare the leading gaming-licence jurisdictions
The right gaming licence depends on your product, target markets, budget and reputation needs. Malta is the premium EU benchmark; Isle of Man and Gibraltar are low-tax, high-reputation alternatives; Curaçao (post-reform) is the mid-tier all-rounder; Anjouan, Tobique and Kahnawake are faster and cheaper with 0% gaming tax but weaker banking standing.
| Jurisdiction | Indicative cost | Timeline | Gaming tax | Reputation | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta (MGA) | €5,000 application + €25,000/yr (B2C Type 1–3)Plus a tiered compliance contribution and €100,000 min. share capital (Type 1/2). | 4–6 months · 10-year licence | 5% on Malta-based player revenue only | Premium | EU-credible, multi-vertical, scalable B2C/B2B operators |
| Isle of Man (GSC) | £5,250 application + £36,750/yr (full licence)0% standard corporate tax; financial-standing test instead of fixed capital. | ~10–12 weeks once complete (plan 4–6 months) | GGY duty 1.5% → 0.5% → 0.1% (tapering) | Strong | Crypto/blockchain gaming, B2B platforms, reputation-sensitive operators |
| Gibraltar | £10,000 application + £50k–£200k/yr (tiered, 2026 Act)Annual fee tiered by GGY, per vertical. | Several months · fit-and-proper heavy | 0.15% on GGY, capped at £425,000/yr | Strong | Operators whose core market is the UK (guaranteed UK access) |
| Curaçao (LOK / CGA)Most popular | ~€4,592 application + ~€47,450/yr (B2C)Post-reform direct licensing. ~€55k/yr government-side; €80k–€200k all-in year 1. Requires local office, director and in-jurisdiction server. | ~3–4 months (two ~8-week phases) | 0% GGR (E-Zone) · 2% corporate income tax on net | Mid | Affordable-but-credible post-reform option; crypto casinos |
| Kahnawake (KGC) | USD 40,000 incl. year 1 + USD 20,000/yr renewalPlus key-person permit fees. Established regime (since 1999). | ~6 months (incl. 6-month provisional permit) | 0% corporate / 0% gaming tax | Strong | Durable credibility and North-American standing |
| Tobique (Canada FN) | ~€43k–€60k year 1 · ~€19,875/yr renewal€33,500 licence + €7,000/yr compliance package. No local incorporation required. | 4–8 weeks from a complete application | 0% GGR | Emerging | 0% tax + better payment standing than entry-level options |
| Anjouan (Comoros) | ~€17,800 year 1 · ~€15,000 renewalLowest-cost, fastest. No local office or resident staff required. | 4–8 weeks | 0% GGR / 0% corporate tax (offshore income) | Entry | Lowest-cost, fast launch into emerging/grey markets |
Figures are indicative for 2026 and represent government-side costs; professional fees and third-party costs are additional. Sources per jurisdiction: Malta · Isle · Gibraltar · Curaçao · Kahnawake · Tobique · Anjouan. Gaming licensing changes quickly — we verify current status for your specific case.
Running a sportsbook? Cyprus has its own (sports-betting-only) licence
For sports betting specifically, Cyprus offers a Class B online betting licence through the National Betting Authority — it does not cover casino, slots or poker.
- Scope
- Online sports betting only — NOT casino, slots or poker
- Cost
- €30,000/yr (or €45,000 for 2 years) + ~€2,000 representative fee
- Requirements
- €500,000 paid-up capital · €550,000 bank guarantee
- Tax
- 13% on net proceeds (10% betting tax + 2% federations + 1% responsible gambling)
How the pieces fit together
The iGaming corporate structure works like this: the Cyprus company usually cannot hold the foreign gaming licence itself — Malta, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Curaçao each require a locally-incorporated, substanced entity. So a Cyprus company sits above as holding and IP company, and a local operating company in the licence jurisdiction holds the licence and faces players.
- ✓Revenue books in the OpCoThe regulated, player-facing entity in the licence jurisdiction books gaming revenue and pays the local gaming tax or duty.
- ✓Royalties flow to Cyprus IP-CoThe OpCo licenses platform and game software from the Cyprus IP company; royalty fees are deductible at the OpCo and taxed at roughly 3% in Cyprus.
- ✓Arm’s-length service agreementsManagement, development and marketing services are charged intercompany at arm’s length, transfer-pricing compliant.
- ✓Dividends to Cyprus HoldCoProfits flow up to the Cyprus holding company under the participation exemption, then onward to owners — generally with no Cyprus withholding tax for non-residents.
- ✓Substance on both endsThe licence jurisdiction needs local office, director and key staff; Cyprus needs genuine management and control, and real R&D nexus for the IP Box.
From first call to go-live
We run the setup in six clear steps: structure design, Cyprus company formation, the gaming-licence application, banking and payment onboarding, AML and responsible-gaming setup, and go-live with ongoing support.
Consultation & structure design
We map your product, target markets, budget and timeline, then design the right combined structure — which foreign licence, and how the Cyprus holding/IP company sits above it.
Cyprus company formation
We incorporate the Cyprus vehicle (holding, IP and/or back-office), set up real management and substance, and prepare for tax residency and treaty benefits.
Gaming-licence application
We prepare and submit the licence application in the chosen jurisdiction — corporate documents, fit-and-proper checks, business plan, AML and responsible-gaming policies, and system/RNG testing coordination.
Banking & PSP onboarding
We introduce and support onboarding with banks, EMIs and high-risk payment processors that serve licensed gaming, with the documentation they require.
AML & responsible-gaming setup
We implement KYC/AML frameworks, player-fund segregation, responsible-gaming tooling, GDPR controls and geo-blocking of restricted and prohibited markets.
Go live & ongoing support
We support launch and provide ongoing renewal, reporting and compliance support as your operation and target markets evolve.
Go live
Find your gaming licence in 30 seconds
Tell us about your business and we’ll suggest a jurisdiction (or shortlist) with an indicative cost and timeline. The Cyprus company sits alongside whichever licence you choose.
Built for legitimate, licensed operators
We structure businesses for compliant, licensed operation only. Every engagement embeds AML/KYC, responsible gaming, player-fund segregation, data protection and geo-restriction of prohibited markets — the controls regulators, banks and payment providers expect.
AML / KYC
Risk-based AML and KYC frameworks aligned to FATF and the regulator’s rules — including the EU’s new AMLR/AMLA single rulebook taking effect in 2026 for EU-licensed operators.
Responsible gaming
Deposit and affordability limits, self-exclusion and player-protection tooling, built to the standards of the chosen licence jurisdiction.
Player-fund segregation
Customer balances held in separate, reconciled accounts — with regulator viewing rights or creditor protection depending on jurisdiction.
Data protection (GDPR)
Privacy policies, access controls, breach-notification flows and approved-jurisdiction hosting for player data.
Geo-restriction
Geolocation and VPN-blocking to keep prohibited and ring-fenced markets (e.g. the US and sanctioned states) out — a licence condition, not an option.
Testing & certification
Independent RNG, game-math and source-code certification via accredited labs (GLI, eCOGRA, BMM) where the licence requires it.
Indicative costs and timelines
A Cyprus company can be formed in about 5–10 days from €749 + VAT. The gaming licence drives the overall cost and timeline — from about €17,800/yr and 4–8 weeks (Anjouan) to €25,000/yr plus contributions over 4–6 months (Malta) — before banking, testing and AML setup.
| Component | Indicative range | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus company — setup | from €749 + VAT | ~5–10 days | Plus actual / third-party costs. Annual levy abolished in 2024. |
| Cyprus company — annual running | €2,000 – €9,000+ | Ongoing | Office, secretarial, accounting, audit. |
| Anjouan licence | ~€17,800 / yr | 4–8 weeks | 0% gaming tax; entry-level reputation. |
| Tobique licence | ~€43,000 – €60,000 yr 1 | 4–8 weeks | 0% gaming tax; no local entity. |
| Curaçao licence (LOK/CGA) | ~€55,000 / yr (gov-side) | ~3–4 months | €80k–€200k all-in year 1; local substance required. |
| Malta licence (MGA) | €25,000 / yr + contributions | 4–6 months | 5% tax on Malta-player revenue; €100k capital. |
| System / RNG testing | ~€20,000 – €40,000 | 4–12 weeks | GLI / eCOGRA / BMM where required. |
| Banking / PSP & AML setup | Varies (quote) | Variable | Rarely fixed; depends on processor and risk profile. |
All figures are indicative for 2026 and exclude VAT and third-party / regulator fees. Final costs depend on jurisdiction, product, target markets and scale. We provide a tailored quote after the initial consultation.
Transparent, fixed-fee services
Piecing this together across a separate corporate lawyer, a licensing consultant and a local agent usually runs on open-ended hourly billing. We quote a fixed fee up front, agreed in writing before we start — plus VAT and any pass-through government, regulator and third-party costs. Cyprus company formation starts from €749 + VAT; the IP Box application is a fixed advisory fee; and the foreign gaming licence is quoted per case after a free consultation.
Cyprus company formation
Incorporation of your Cyprus company — the EU corporate, tax and IP base — including documentation and setup. Plus actual / third-party costs (government & filing fees).
+ actual costs
IP Box regime — reach a ~3% effective rate
A Cyprus tax ruling confirming your platform / game software qualifies for the IP Box, taking the effective tax on that income to roughly 3%.
Plus actual costs and the government fee shown opposite.
- IP structuring — Correct structuring of the IP within your company to maximise compliance and tax efficiency.
- Detailed analysis & strategy — Full review of how your IP qualifies, with tailored guidance based on your business activities.
- Meetings & consultations — Ongoing discussions to align the application with your objectives and address concerns.
- Preparation & submission — Comprehensive drafting and timely submission of the IP Box application.
All fees are exclusive of VAT and government fees.
Get a fixed quote → book a callForeign gaming licence
Cost is case-by-case — it depends on the jurisdiction, your product and target markets (see the licence comparison above). We give you exact figures after a free consultation.
All professional fees are exclusive of VAT and of third-party / regulator and government fees. Final figures depend on your specific business, product and target markets.
Specialist, accurate, independent
iGaming Cyprus combines Cyprus corporate and tax expertise with multi-jurisdiction gaming-licensing experience — giving you accurate, independent advice on the right structure, not a one-size-fits-all package.
- ✓Accuracy firstWe state the law as it is — including that Cyprus issues no online casino licence — so you build on solid ground.
- ✓Jurisdiction-neutralWe recommend the licence that fits your product and markets, not the one that is easiest for us.
- ✓Compliance-ledWe structure for legitimate, licensed operators with AML, responsible gaming and player protection built in.
Meet Sergios Charalambous
Cyprus & Athens Bar-admitted lawyer specialising in corporate and tax law.
Sergios Charalambous founded iGaming Cyprus to give international gaming founders and operators a single, coordinated path — Cyprus company formation, the right foreign gaming licence, banking and payments, and ongoing compliance. He is a member of both the Cyprus Bar Association and the Athens Bar Association.
He holds an LL.B. from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and two LL.M. degrees — Financial Regulation and Public Law — both with Distinction from the same university. He also holds a Professional Diploma in Tax Law (Distinction) and a Certificate in Accounting (LCCI Level 3 — Distinction) from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Before founding iGaming Cyprus, Sergios worked at one of the largest law firms in Athens, handling complex corporate matters and advising high-profile clients on cross-border structuring and regulatory compliance. He pairs that legal foundation with a practitioner’s grasp of Cyprus tax and accounting to deliver structured, fixed-fee engagements coordinated end-to-end.
He is known for a meticulous approach to regulatory compliance and for simplifying complex legal processes — making sure clients reach their business goals smoothly and without surprises in either jurisdiction.
Get in touch →Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions iGaming founders ask most.
No. Cyprus does not issue online casino, slots or poker licences. The National Betting Authority licenses only sports betting — Class A (land-based) and Class B (online). For casino or poker products, the gaming licence is obtained in a suitable foreign jurisdiction, while a Cyprus company is used as the corporate, tax and IP base.
A Cyprus company gives an EU corporate base with a 15% headline corporate tax (from 2026), an effective rate of roughly 3% on qualifying software IP through the IP Box, 65+ tax treaties, access to EU directives, and a deep fintech and professional-services ecosystem. It is the holding, IP and back-office vehicle that sits above the licensed operating company.
Anjouan (Comoros) is typically the cheapest and fastest, at roughly €17,800 in year one with 0% gaming tax and a 4–8 week timeline. The trade-off is the weakest reputation and more friction with banks and payment processors. Tobique and Curaçao are mid-tier, and Malta is the premium option.
Anjouan and Tobique are the fastest, both typically issued within 4–8 weeks of a complete application. Curaçao takes about 3–4 months, while Malta, Isle of Man and Gibraltar take several months.
Malta (MGA) is the premium, EU-credible benchmark, followed by Isle of Man and Gibraltar. These carry the strongest standing with banks, payment providers and B2B partners, at higher cost and longer timelines.
It depends on your priorities. Malta (MGA) is the premium, EU-credible option — higher cost (€25,000/yr plus compliance contributions and €100,000 capital) over a 4–6 month process, but the strongest standing with banks and payment providers. Curaçao, under the post-2024 LOK regime, is the mid-tier all-rounder — around €47,450/yr, roughly 3–4 months, 0% gaming tax, now requiring a local office and director. Choose Malta for EU prestige and easier banking; Curaçao for a faster, lower-cost launch with reasonable credibility.
There is no single best country — the right setup pairs two things: a corporate base and a gaming licence. Most operators base the company in Cyprus (EU member, 15% corporate tax, roughly 3% effective on qualifying software IP via the IP Box, 65+ tax treaties) and hold the gaming licence in a foreign jurisdiction such as Malta, Curaçao, Isle of Man or Anjouan, chosen for the product and target markets. Cyprus itself does not issue online casino licences.
Generally no. Malta, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Curaçao each require a locally-incorporated, locally-substanced entity to hold the licence. The Cyprus company sits above as the holding and IP company, while a local operating company in the licence jurisdiction holds the licence and faces players.
A Cyprus company can be formed in about 5–10 days. The overall timeline is driven by the licence: 4–8 weeks for Anjouan or Tobique, around 3–4 months for Curaçao, and several months for Malta, Isle of Man or Gibraltar — plus banking and payment onboarding.
Indicatively: Cyprus company formation from roughly €1,200–€4,000 plus annual running costs; the gaming licence from about €17,800/yr (Anjouan) to €47,450/yr (Curaçao) or €25,000/yr plus contributions (Malta); plus banking, system testing (~€20k–€40k) and AML/compliance setup. Final figures depend on jurisdiction, product and scale — we provide a tailored quote.
The licensed operating company pays the local gaming tax or duty (e.g. 5% on Malta-player revenue, 0% GGR in Curaçao’s E-Zone). The Cyprus company pays 15% corporate tax (about 3% effective on qualifying IP), with the participation exemption on dividends and generally no withholding tax on outbound payments to non-residents — subject to 2026 anti-abuse rules for low-tax jurisdictions.
Banking and payment processing are the most common real-world blockers. Regulated-gaming accounts require specialist high-risk acquirers, enhanced due diligence and often rolling reserves. A credible licence and a properly-structured Cyprus company materially improve onboarding. We introduce and support the process.
Banks treat gambling as high-risk, so a standard business bank account is rarely enough — operators need specialist banks, EMIs and high-risk payment processors that serve licensed gaming, with enhanced due diligence and often rolling reserves. A credible gaming licence and a properly-structured, substanced Cyprus company materially improve approval odds. We introduce and support onboarding with providers that accept licensed iGaming.
Yes. To claim Cyprus tax residency and treaty benefits, management and control must genuinely sit in Cyprus — majority Cyprus-resident directors, board meetings physically held and minuted there, and an office and staff proportionate to scale. A registered address with a nominee alone is not sufficient.
No. Curaçao’s reform (the National Ordinance on Games of Chance, in force since December 2024) replaced the old master/sub-licence model with direct licensing by the Curaçao Gaming Authority. The transitional "orange seal" expired permanently on 15 October 2025. New licences require a local office, a local managing director and an in-jurisdiction server.
Yes. For sports betting specifically, Cyprus does offer a Class B online betting licence through the National Betting Authority — €30,000/yr (or €45,000 for two years), with €500,000 paid-up capital, a €550,000 bank guarantee and 13% tax on net proceeds. It does not cover casino, slots or poker.
The Cyprus IP Box is a regime that taxes qualifying IP income at an effective rate of about 3% (an 80% deduction on a 15% headline rate). Copyright-protected computer software — such as your platform or game engine — can qualify. Trademarks, brands and marketing intangibles do not.
Every licence requires geo-blocking of prohibited and sanctioned territories — typically the United States, sanctioned states (e.g. Iran, North Korea), and ring-fenced regulated markets that require their own local licence. We configure geolocation and VPN-blocking as part of compliance setup.
No. iGaming Cyprus provides professional legal and corporate advisory only. We do not operate gambling, run any platform, or hold gaming licences ourselves. We structure and support compliant, licensed operators.
In Cyprus and most EU jurisdictions, betting and gambling services are generally VAT-exempt, with gaming taxed instead through the dedicated gaming tax or duty. B2B platform and software supplies can still attract VAT depending on the arrangement — this is fact-specific and confirmed per supply.
Honest about fit
We work best with operators building a legitimate, licensed business — and we’ll tell you plainly if Cyprus isn’t the right answer for your case. Choosing the wrong jurisdiction or structure can mean rejected payment processors, frozen accounts or re-applying from scratch; the point of getting advice first is to get it right the first time.
This is for you if…
- You’re an iGaming operator — casino, sportsbook or B2B platform — entering or scaling into regulated markets.
- You want one team coordinating company, licence, banking and compliance, not five separate vendors.
- You prefer a fixed fee agreed up front over open-ended hourly billing.
- You’re committed to licensed, compliant operation.
Probably not the right fit if…
- You only need a one-off contract or document review.
- You want to operate without a licence, or target prohibited markets.
- You’re after the cheapest offshore shell with no substance or compliance.
Let’s design your structure
Book a free, no-obligation consultation, or send your details and we’ll come back to you with the right Cyprus-company-plus-licence structure for your business.
Book my free consultation30 minutes · no obligation · talk to the advocate, not a salesperson.
- Regulated, EU-based Cyprus advisors
- Multi-jurisdiction licensing experience
- Compliance-first & confidential
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