With a narrow margin of three votes and amidst criticism from MPs regarding the tax debts of football clubs, the Cyprus Parliament approved an amendment to the Betting Law. The new law aims to increase funding for football clubs and academies from betting revenues.

The amendment introduces higher percentages of net betting revenue allocated by the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA) to the Cyprus Football Association (KOP). The bill passed with 27 votes in favor and 25 against. DISY, DIKO, ELAM, and independent MP Andreas Themistokleous supported the bill, while AKEL, EDEK, DIPA, the Greens, VOLT MP Alexandra Attalidou, and independent MP Kostis Efstathiou opposed it.

• The contribution paid by licensed betting operators to the National Betting Authority (NBA) increases from 3% to 4.5%.

• The percentage transferred by NBA to KOA rises from 2% to 3.5%.

• The percentage allocated by KOA to KOP for football clubs and their academies doubles from 1.5% to 3%.

The new framework redistributes the funds across 97 football clubs in all divisions and their academies.

Parliament also passed an amendment, supported by AKEL, DIKO, DIPA, and DISY, to increase the percentage of betting revenue allocated to other team sports. This measure was approved with 47 votes in favor and 4 against.

A separate AKEL proposal to impose conditions on the disbursement of these revenues was rejected.