Lawmakers in Cyprus are actively discussing measures to stop recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) from spending public welfare funds on gambling. Known locally as EEE, this benefit serves as a safety net, ensuring a legal minimum income for residents whose earnings fail to cover basic living expenses.
Eligibility for the GMI extends to anyone in Cyprus whose income does not meet their fundamental needs. This issue is not unique to Cyprus; Brazil implemented a similar prohibition for welfare recipients in 2025.
Last Thursday, the House Audit Committee convened, bringing together members of parliament (MPs), the Data Protection Commissioner, and officials from various organizations including the Welfare Benefits Administration Service (WBAS), the Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission, and the National Betting Authority (NBA). The meeting focused on identifying ways to curtail gambling activities funded by GMI.
The overarching goal is to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure welfare funds are dedicated to vital needs. However, potential legal, technical, and privacy concerns complicate these measures. Harris Tsangarides, executive director of the Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission, noted a pattern of increased gambling activity around the dates when GMI payments are issued. This led the commission to contemplate a “technical solution” that would allow cross-referencing GMI beneficiary information with casino membership records.
Giannis Vasiliadis, director of WBAS, pointed out challenges in accessing the banking information of GMI recipients. While some data can indicate unusual gambling activity, it is insufficient for confirming actual gambling transactions.
Maria Christofidou, the Data Protection Commissioner, reported that her agency has reassessed a previous legal opinion from 2022. Now, there appears to be a possible legal framework for acquiring more detailed banking data.
However, MPs have raised concerns about privacy violations and the stigma associated with such data disclosures. Christofidou also proposed issuing special cards to GMI recipients for verification at gambling establishments. MPs cautioned that this could further marginalize those receiving welfare.
Existing gambling laws prevent participation from minors and individuals deemed “financially vulnerable,” but GMI recipients are not currently classified under this designation. Since 2024, the NBA has facilitated an online self-exclusion program that requires users to register with their mobile number, email, and ID. Given that approximately 80% of gambling in Cyprus occurs online, this method may provide a more straightforward means of managing GMI beneficiaries than monitoring gambling activities in physical venues.
