Compliance Updates
Isle of Man Sees Unprecedented Demand in Licence Applications From Global Online Gambling Businesses
The Isle of Man has seen a huge increase in demand from global gaming operators amid proposed changes to regulation and structure in some jurisdictions.
Initial enquiries, sparked by uncertainty about the impact and scope of jurisdictional and political changes, and positive follow-up discussions have seen service providers on the Isle of Man report an uptick in enquiries from businesses wanting to relocate to the Island over the last 12 months.
There has been a thirty per cent increase in demand this year with the number of licensees to be supervised by the Gambling Supervision Commission now at 55 with several more in the pipeline, an increase of 21 in last 12 months, in comparison to 8 licence approvals in 2019.
The recent regulatory changes in alternate jurisdictions, combined with the Islandâs handling of Covid-19 and the introduction of a new software supplier licence has contributed to a significant surge in the number of applications as businesses seek strong regulation around player protection providing comfort to banks, PSPâs and investors.
Steve Brennan, Chief Executive of The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, comments:
âWe are exceptionally busy at the minute processing a significant rise in the number of applications for online gambling operators.
We continued to work throughout lockdown, and over the last 10 months, we have received or completed a considerable number of applications. By the time we have closed those out and added recent applications, we will have 60 licences to supervise.â
Speaking on why operators are choosing the Isle of Man, Jade Zorab, Director of Amber Gaming, responded:
âThe Isle of Man has proven to be at the forefront of the more notable eGaming jurisdictions over the years. It has a combination of a stable political and economic environment, low tax and advanced IT infrastructure in addition to a cluster of experienced and reliable professional organisations â all of which has created a compelling proposition for eGaming companies both locally and further afield.
âThe Island also offers a flexible licensing regime with a pragmatic and efficient regulator, which is especially valuable during a time where there is so much global uncertainty and regulatory changes in several other jurisdictions which brings the prospect of significant operational challenges. Given the Islandâs strong reputation and open and innovative approach in the evolving gaming landscape, the future outlook is positive and it is no surprise that the Isle of Man is experiencing an influx of eGaming ventures, which we are proud to support.â
Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive at Digital Isle of Man, adds:
âA key strength of the Isle of Man is its commitment to the development and continued success of the eGaming companies domiciled here. Digital Isle of Man supports this by striving to build and maintain solid foundations for our Island businesses to flourish, offering quick fire advice and tackling obstacles to ease business decisions and burdens along the way.
We have strong heritage and credentials in the eGaming sector and are renowned for our premium regulation which is becoming more and more important to businesses. As businesses licensed elsewhere seek security and continued business growth, the experience and expertise based in the Isle of Man is the logical next step for businesses to mature and grow.
The Isle of Man has a track record of being a safe and secure place for businesses to grow, and boasts a confident, stable economy, with no market restrictions, ensuring minimal disruption to business progress and opportunities.â
Compliance Updates
Aviatrix flying in Italy following certificate approval
Aviatrix, the groundbreaking crash game renowned for its unique engagement mechanics, is building new partnerships in Italy following the granting of a certificate in the country.
The Italian certificate enables Aviatrix to collaborate with operators regulated by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, introducing casinos fans in Italy to the award-winning game for the first time.
Players at many of the biggest brands in Italy will soon be enjoying Aviatrix.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: âWe are excited to be bringing Aviatrix to players in Italy for the first time. This is a market where innovation and player engagement are highly valued, so weâre certain our product will be a great fit. And more than that, we have an opportunity to play a central role in one of Europeâs most vibrant online gaming cultures. We canât wait to get started with operators in the country.â
Aviatrix is fast establishing itself as an important game in regulated jurisdictions, as it already is in emerging ones.
Australia
NSW Govt Appoints New Board Members to ILGA
The NSW Government has made appointments to the board of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), including a deputy chairperson and two new members.
Associate Professor Amelia Thorpe and Nicholas Nichles have been appointed following a rigorous public expression of interest selection process. Additionally, existing member Chris Honey has been appointed deputy chairperson.
ILGA is a statutory decision-maker responsible for a range of liquor, registered club and gaming machine regulatory functions including determining licensing and disciplinary matters.
The appointments follow the end of the term of appointment for outgoing deputy chairperson Sarah Dinning, and also fill vacancies that existed on the board.
Mr Honey, who was appointed a member of ILGA earlier in 2024, has been named deputy chairperson until the end of his current appointment term (11 February 2027).
Mr Honey has extensive experience in the advisory and restructuring field, including working extensively in highly regulated sectors.
Associate Professor Thorpe and Mr Nichles have both been appointed for four years commencing 6 November 2024.
Associate Prof Thorpe is with the Faculty of Law & Justice at the University of New South Wales and an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Mr Nichles was previously a Consul General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Australian Government agency Austrade, based in the US.
The new appointments bring the ILGA board membership to seven. The new appointments will join chairperson Caroline Lamb, new deputy chairperson Mr Honey and current members Cathie Armour, Jeffrey Loy APM and Dr Suzanne Craig.
Compliance Updates
Irelandâs New Gambling Regulator to Begin Work on Phased Basis Next Year
Irelandâs new gambling regulator is likely to begin overseeing betting businesses in the Republic midway through next year, industry figures predict.
President Micheal D Higgins recently signed the new Gambling Regulation Act, which overhauls licensing and creates a new authority to govern betting firms, into law. Industry figures forecast that the new regime should begin operating midway through next year, a key point for many businesses as they will have to renew online betting licences by that time.
Government also has to pass several milestones before the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland can start functioning, including appointing the seven people the body requires.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee appointed senior civil servant Anne Marie Caulfield as chief executive designate of the authority in summer 2022. Her office has 11 staff. According to the Department of Justice, the Stateâs Public Appointments Service will shortly begin recruiting the authorityâs seven members.
The Minister will appoint the candidates the service recommends.
The department could not say when the authority would start regulating but noted this would happen in a phased âtimely mannerâ after its establishment.
Jack Chambers, Minister for Finance, earmarked âŹ9.1 million for the authority next year in this monthâs budget. That includes âŹ4 million for technology.
Ms Caulfield wrote to industry organisations last week confirming that her organisation would begin its work on a âphased basisâ but pointing out that it has already completed many preparations. In a statement she said that the authority was committed to keeping the industry fully informed so businesses can âplan for the new regulatory regimeâ.
Meanwhile, the Public Service Appointments Service last week advertised for someone to head the authorityâs social fund. Under the new lawâs provisions, betting businesses will contribute to this fund which the authority will use to tackle problem gambling.
Betting businesses regard the fundâs establishment as one of the key steps towards establishing the new regime.
Alongside that, they say that the authority will also have to set up its new licensing system. The law demands that all gambling businesses operating in the Republic be licensed and makes it a criminal offence to operate without a proper permit.
Lawyers at Arthur Cox recently noted that current permits are preserved until licensing sections of the act come into force. Existing high street and online bookiesâ licences will have a run-off period, but lawyers said that how this would work in practice depended on how the regulator developed the new system.
Betting businesses are keen that the authority works on a national self-exclusion register for customers who voluntarily ask bookmakers not to take their bets. Currently, most individual bookies have systems where customers who fear they have a problem, or are at risk, can exclude themselves in this way.
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