MPs examine measures to prevent GMI recipients from gambling at casinos
Lawmakers discussed privacy-conscious ways to prevent Guaranteed Minimum Income recipients from gambling and to verify benefit eligibility.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Lawmakers on Thursday continued examining ways to prevent recipients of Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) from gambling at casinos, while acknowledging that any measures must comply with privacy requirements.
Proposed safeguards
MPs and officials considered several options, including a proposal by Data Protection Commissioner Maria Christofidou to issue special cards to GMI beneficiaries. Some MPs cautioned that such cards could stigmatise recipients.
The discussion focused on protecting beneficiaries from spending their income on gambling while also ensuring that recipients remain eligible for the benefit and are not generating casino earnings using government support.
Access to bank data
A key issue was the Welfare Benefits Administration Service’s (Wbas) access to the bank account data of GMI recipients.
The service currently has limited access to information, including account balances and the highest balance during a specific period. A Wbas official said such information may suggest gambling activity but does not alone constitute sufficient evidence.
MPs heard of a case involving a GMI recipient who had around €3,000 in her bank account and later received a €5,000 subsidy for solar panel installation. Her total account balance exceeded the eligibility threshold, leading to the suspension of her benefit until authorities investigated the source of the funds.
Legal basis and gambling patterns
The Data Protection Commissioner said a legal opinion issued in 2022 found no legal basis for obtaining detailed bank account information. The commissioner’s office later reviewed the matter and determined that a legal basis does exist.
Harris Tsangarides, executive director of the Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission, said the commission has identified since 2023 a pattern of increased gambling around the middle of the month, when GMI payments are made.
He said this prompted the commission to contact Wbas to explore a way to verify whether people issued casino membership cards are GMI recipients.
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