Gaming Suppliers

To be eligible to apply for a Gaming Supplier licence you must either have a contract of supply or a pending contract (which contract is subject to obtaining a gaming supplier licence) with the Republic of Cyprus Integrated Casino Resort (ICR) operator. Applications received that do not meet these criteria will not be accepted and you could lose your application fees.

No individual is allowed to supply gaming machines to the casino and the casino operator is not permitted to be supplied with such gaming machines unless the supplier of such gaming machines holds a valid gaming supplier licence.

The Commission may, in specified circumstances, waive some of the information and documentation required in support of an application. ALL of the following criteria MUST be met before the Commission will consider applying a waiver and accepting a simplified application. However, please note that, even if all criteria are met, the Commission may require a full application to be made (including supporting documents) should it have any concerns. Should the Commission accept a simplified application it may call for further information at any time as it sees fit.

To be eligible for the waiver, ALL criteria must apply:

• the supplier is approved and/or licensed by a government authority in another member state of the European Union or state, belongs to the European Free Trade Zone which has signed the Agreement for the Single European Area or is in a state with which the European Union has signed an agreement for a customs union and mutual recognition for compliance evaluation of products
• sufficient evidence is presented to satisfy the Commission regarding the existence of such approval and/or licence in the particular jurisdiction
• the standards and procedures of the particular jurisdiction where they are approved and/or licensed do not deviate substantially and are not substantially less protective than those applied by the Commission in relation to the due diligence and suitability investigation.
• If you consider that you can meet ALL of the above criteria, then please contact the Commission: licensing@cgc.org.cyor telephone 0035725573810.

You must apply for a Supplier licence if you intend to manufacture, or supply gaming machines (or part thereof) or software for the ICR.

Entities which apply for a Gaming Supplier licence must:

• be able to demonstrate that they can meet the Commission’s suitability assessment
• ensure that the activities they plan to carry out will be conducted in a manner which minimises the risks to the licensing objectives
• work with the Commission in an open and cooperative way, and
• disclose to the Commission anything which the Commission would reasonably expect to know.

The Commission needs to be satisfied that licensees are suitable to hold a licence and undertake the activities for which they are licensed. In assessing suitability, the Commission will look at the suitability of the applicant and those individuals relevant to the application. Relevant individuals include, officers of the company, senior management, shareholders and any other person who may influence or benefit from the activities or services provided under the licence.

The Commission will take a number of factors into consideration whilst processing your application and determining suitability including:

• identity and ownership– The identity of the applicant and any individual(s) relevant to the application will be established and verified using appropriate official documentation. The ownership of a corporate applicant will be investigated, and all major shareholders identified. The Commission will check company and director records to ensure that the correct entity is being licensed and check any related companies or directors. The Commission will also wish to establish who benefits from the gambling services and facilities provided. We therefore require that any shareholder with a 3% or more share is listed within the application and those with over a 10% share may be subject to further checks. If the beneficiary of any business is a Trust, we will require details of the beneficiaries of that Trust. If the applicant is a company based overseas, or part of the company structure is based overseas, we require a full description of the company structure, and may carry out checks with overseas regulators.
• integrity– The reputation, honesty and trustworthiness of the applicant and/or individual(s) relevant to the applicant and/or associated companies will be assessed using a variety of means. The Commission will consider whether the information it collects raises any concerns about integrity. This includes an assessment of an applicant’s criminal record, and any past involvement in civil or regulatory investigations or proceedings. We will also consider the manner by which the applicant has conducted their business with specific regard to the provision of gambling services in other jurisdictions. In addition, the Commission will also consider the evidence and findings of any complaints about the applicant and/or investigations by other regulators, and we will investigate any history of business failure.
• finances– The financial condition, stability and strength of the applicant as well as their financial resources and the integrity of any source of funds will be considered to ensure that the licensing objectives will not be put at risk. The past and present financial circumstances of the applicant and any individual(s) relevant to the application will be investigated to ensure that sufficient resources are in place to carry out the licensed activities. Additionally, the Commission will ask for accounts from existing businesses and associated companies. Our focus is on assessing the source of funding and the resources likely to be available to enable a licensee to conduct the licensed activities.
• competence– Whether the applicant has the technical capability to manufacture, install, test, inspect, maintain or repair gaming machines in accordance with the technical standards and for the purposes for which the licence may be granted will be taken into consideration. This includes the applicant’s track record of compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements of any jurisdiction where it may hold a gaming licence/permit or approval. The Commission may also take up references and may review the CVs of relevant persons to assess their work experience and the training they have received which demonstrates their competence to carry out the role required of them.
• criminality– The criminal record of the applicant and/or individual(s) relevant to the application will be considered. Any prior offences committed by the applicant and any individual(s) relevant to the application will be taken into account when assessing an application for a gaming supplier licence. Any previous offences do not mean that the application will automatically be refused. Each case will be considered on its individual merits, and consideration will be given to the seriousness, relevance and date of the conviction. In evaluating the seriousness and relevance of an offence, the Commission’s assessment will focus on whether the conviction has a potential bearing on suitability to hold a licence and will have regard to safeguarding the licensing objectives and the public interest.

In assessing suitability, the Commission will use both the information and supporting documentation provided by the applicant as part of the application and information available from other sources (for example open source, government departments, overseas regulators).

For every application, the Commission may:

• grant a licence
• limit the scope of licensed activities that can be accrued out in accordance with a licence
• refuse a licence where there are reasons to do so.

If you wish to apply for a Gaming Supplier licence you must:

• familiarise yourself with our guidance notes.
• complete the Gaming Supplier Licence Application Form OR, if applicable, the Simplified Gaming Supplier Licence Application Form
• complete, if applicable, Annex B – Personal Declaration
• ensure that your application and investigation fees(as required) have been paid
• deliver the completed application form and the supporting documentation to the Commission (either by post or by hand).

The Commission expects licensees to conduct their activities in a way that does not put the licensing objectives at risk. It expects those holding a gaming supplier licence to:

• conduct their business with integrity
• act with due care, skill and diligence
• maintain adequate financial resources
• work with the Commission in an open and co-operative way
• disclose to the Commission at any time anything which we would reasonably expect to know
• provide to the Commission such information or records as the Commission considers necessary from time to time
• ensure that every gaming machine manufactured or supplied by them comply with the technical standards requirements in the standards notices issued by the Commission, and
• ensure that gaming machines manufactured for or supplied to the casino are gaming machines approved by the Commission.

– LICENSED GAMING SUPPLIERS