At 3,55% of GDP showing a significant increase compared to 2016 which was 0,99%, the amount bet in 2022, through betting agencies, reached 959 million euros, while the state collected a tax in 2022 amounting to 11,75 .2023 million euros, according to the President of the National Betting Authority Ioanna Fiakkou, who presented the Authority's budget for XNUMX to the Parliamentary Finance Committee.
In particular in relation to the amounts in the betting sector, Ms. Fiakkou said that there is a steady increase every year, adding that in 2022 there was a 22% increase compared to 2021 in the income from betting and a 20% increase in the income of state.
Specifically, it stated that the amount wagered in 2022 amounted to 959 million euros, which corresponds to 3,55% of GDP, while the return of profits to players amounted to 843,42 million euros.
He added that the Republic collected a tax in 2022 amounting to 11,75 million euros and the levy amount collected will be given 2% to the CMO, while the amount for the various sports federations and the KOP amounts to 3.525.000 euros. He noted that 1% will remain in the fund of the National Betting Authority to take measures to protect players from pathological gambling and betting.
Ms. Fiakkou announced that in this context, with the approval of the budget, the contract for the creation of a therapeutic program in the province of Famagusta will be signed, while a proposal has been submitted to the Minister of Health, as she said, for the inclusion of a screening program in the NHS so that at a preventive stage when individuals exhibit any instability to be able to receive appropriate treatment.
Additionally, he stated that the implementation of a self-exclusion platform is in the final stage, where the Authority's goal in consultation with the Ministries of Health and Labor is to have benefit recipients, especially those of the EEE, join the platform, so that they are not allowed to participate in betting and gambling .
Responding to questions from members of parliament, regarding the supervision carried out at licensed betting agencies, the President of the Authority, Ioanna Fiakkou, said that "all the necessary measures are taken so that there are phenomena of involvement and corruption".
He stated that in recent years the Authority "has gained the credibility and prestige of the market" and is at a very high level compared to the rest of the regulatory authorities at the European and international level.
In statements after the session, DIPA MP Alekos Tryfonidis said that he supports the Authority and its programs in order to implement its goals and to respect its operating principles.
Mr. Tryfonidis expressed reservations about the way private betting sites are controlled and added that the control of betting sites was entrusted to private individuals by another organization and "there were problems".
He expressed the opinion that this control should be done by permanent staff who would rotate and be controlled by others so that the correct control could be done.
In relation to the places for de-addiction of young people from the gambling habit, Mr. Tryfonidis referred to "tragic cases where the money of either the EEE or the disability income is spent on betting".
Source: KYPE