Northern Cyprus Considers Gambling Changes

There could be a storm brewing between the North and South of Cyprus, but this time it is over casinos. According to differing reports the North of Cyprus which is Turkish controlled is considering for the first time allowing Turkish Cypriots to gamble in casinos to combat the opening of casinos in the south by Melco following the law change in Greek controlled Cyprus.

Operators in the north are concerned that the will be losing out to legalised gambling now in the south and are calling on the government to allow Turkish nationals to be able to enter casinos.

According to reports Northern Cyprus Finance Ministry Serdar Denktash has said that discussions over the possibility of allowing Northern Cypriots to gamble have already taken place.

But then , Kudret Ozersay, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Northern Cyprus took to social media to deny any such discussions.

Clearly casino operators in the north are concerned over the introduction of casino gambling in the south and want the local government to help them combat the loss of income it will create. However with the Turkish mainland having banned casinos it would seem out of character for them to allow Turkish nationals to gamble in Northern Cyprus.

One gaming consultant said there is the possibility of North Cyprus becoming a Macau type location where gambling is allowed for Turkish nationals, it is a long shot but would stop the exodus of money to other casino destinations by Turkish gamblers and at the same time increase taxes.

One thing is for certain the northern casino operators are not happy and they want change, will it come, only time will tell.