Students in Cyprus spend significantly more on gambling than their European counterparts, with 6% reportedly facing gambling-related problems compared to 5% across the EU, according to a report published in Fileleftheros.
The article, titled “Addiction, Gambling and Online Games – Help Requests Triple – Grim Outlook in Cyprus,” said the Cypriot government is preparing to expand the mandate of the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority to include scientifically documented disorders linked to gambling and electronic gaming.
A proposed amendment to the Law on the Prevention of the Use and Spread of Narcotics and Other Addictive Substances would place gambling-related disorders under the jurisdiction of the national addiction authority.
According to the report, 70% of individuals who contacted the authority’s monitoring unit were seeking help for the first time.
In the past 12 months, 23% of Greek Cypriots engaged in betting, with many participating in games of chance two to three times per week. Popular games included daily lotto and Joker.
About 4% of the population struggles with gambling addiction, with students making up 6.6% of that group.
Sports betting at licensed offices was the most common form of gambling among those seeking treatment. Casino players tended to seek help sooner, while those involved in state lotteries delayed treatment longer.