Zena Spanou Joins Global Law Experts as Exclusive Cyprus Gambling Law Member

Welcome Zena 

Global Law Experts extends a warm and formal welcome to Zena Spanou as the Exclusive Member for Gambling in Cyprus. Zena joins Global Law Experts as a distinguished practitioner whose presence strengthens the network’s Cyprus portfolio and its reach within the gambling sector. This exclusive designation reflects a collaborative commitment to connecting clients with leading local counsel who bring deep regulatory knowledge, practical experience, and a proven track record in navigating Cyprus complex legal frameworks surrounding gaming activities.

Background

Zena is a Partner at Markos P. Spanos & Co LLC, underscoring a senior leadership role within a long established Cypriot law firm. The firm itself traces its roots to 1978 and is widely regarded as one of the island’s enduring legal institutions, with a reputation for handling sophisticated matters across a broad spectrum of practice areas. With prior hands-on experience working as in-house legal counsel in a large, international gaming operator, Zena has a wealth of knowledge in the gaming industry, a sustained engagement with Cyprus’ dynamic regulatory environment and a leadership position within a team that includes notable professionals in corporate, commercial, dispute resolution, data protection, intellectual property, labour law and sports law. This combination of seniority and firm stability provides Zena with the experience needed to advise on complex, cross border matters that intersect with gaming regulation and licensing.

The Firm

Markos P. Spanos & Co LLC operates from its Nicosia offices, offering a long standing presence in Cyprus legal affairs. The firm emphasizes a modern and client oriented approach while maintaining a strong tradition of professional integrity and service. It is a proud member of the PLG International Lawyers network, which connects more than a thousand lawyers across dozens of countries and enhances the firm’s capacity to support international clients with Cyprus based counsel. This global reach complements Zena’s profile by enabling coordinated, cross jurisdictional strategies for gaming and related regulatory issues, including potential cross border investments, licensing matters and the handling of enforcement and compliance concerns within the region. In addition to its broader corporate, commercial and litigation capabilities, the firm maintains dedicated data protection and intellectual property practices. This focus on regulated activity and complex contract work demonstrates the firm’s experience with complex regulatory regimes and contractual risk management, skills that translate well to the licensing and compliance demands of gambling matters.

Practice Areas and Regulatory Context

The Cyprus gambling landscape is defined by a tightly regulated framework that governs betting, gaming machines and online gambling, with licensing regimes administered by national authorities and ongoing enforcement to ensure consumer protection and financial integrity. Cyprus allows certain forms of betting and gaming under specific licenses, with online betting currently regulated under Class B licensing schemes and related restrictions. The national regulatory environment emphasizes licensing compliance, robust due diligence and cross border cooperation for operators, suppliers and service providers. Counsel working in this space must master the Betting Law, licensing processes, and the oversight practices of authorities while also addressing commercial, contractual and dispute resolution issues that arise from gaming operations. The practice areas navigation in this field benefits from experience in regulated environments, including the sports and data protection sectors, where contract development, image rights, transfers and dispute resolution intersect with governance and compliance considerations. Cyprus-based firms with regional and international connections, such as Markos P. Spanos & Co LLC, are well positioned to support clients through licensing applications, corporate structuring, regulatory audits, and cross border enforcement considerations. Zena’s leadership within a Cyprus based firm that operates within a global network positions her to deliver informed, multi-jurisdictional guidance on gambling matters as Cyprus continues to refine its regulatory posture. This context reinforces the relevance of the Exclusive Member designation for Zena within Global Law Experts and mirrors the type of regulatory and cross border advisory capability clients expect in this sector.

• Regulatory insight drawn from the Cypriot gambling framework including licensing and enforcement considerations
• Experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on contracts, compliance and governance within regulated environments 
• Access to a global network through PLG International Lawyers, enabling cross border collaboration
• Established leadership and seniority at a long standing Cyprus law firm based in Nicosia

Why Zena Was Selected

• Recoganised senior leadership and a proven track record at Markos P. Spanos & Co LLC, a longstanding Cyprus firm with a diversified practice and a history dating back to 1978, signaling professional standing and reliability
• Practical and hands-on experience working in the gaming industry, specifically as in-house legal counsel at a large, international gaming operator
• In-depth knowledge of the Cyprus gambling regulatory framework and experience drafting, negotiating and reviewing gaming-related agreements, including game provider agreements, marketing and affiliation agreements, policies and procedures and advising on relevant regulatory matters
• Strategic positioning within a firm that is a member of the PLG International Lawyers network, enabling robust cross border collaboration for clients with Cyprus interests
• Direct involvement in a practice area that intersects with regulated industries, including sports law, data protection, IP and disputes, which provides a solid foundation for advising on gaming and betting matters within Cyprus regulatory constructs
• Strong regional relevance as a Cyprus based expert who can coordinate local counsel with international resources to support clients operating in or entering Cyprus gaming markets

Zena’s professional profile aligns with Global Law Experts’ objective to designate exclusive members who combine local authority with international access. The Cyprus based firm, its long running presence in the market, and its collaboration within a global network collectively create a compelling platform for advising on gambling law and related regulatory matters in Cyprus and across jurisdictions where clients have interests or operations. Zena’s role as a Partner further reinforces the credibility and depth of service that Global Law Experts intends to offer its clients seeking sophisticated Cyprus gambling counsel.

Global Law Experts looks forward to leveraging Zena’s expertise to support clients navigating Cyprus gambling regulation, licensing requirements, compliance programs, and related commercial considerations. The exclusive membership signals a commitment to high standards, client-focused service, and an integrated approach to cross border gaming matters that can help clients achieve their regulatory and business objectives in Cyprus and beyond.