Presentation to ICSA 29 March 2011
E-Gaming Law and Regulation Claire C Milne WS Partner Chair of Gambling Supervision Commission
Overview The industry in the Isle of Man. The GSC – who we are and what we do. The legislation. Update on past 12 months. The future.
The E-Gaming Industry in the Isle of Man E-Gaming Success Employment Spending£60m£70m£91m£123m£154m Taxes *£3m£4m£5m£11.2m£19.1m *Income Tax, NI and Gaming duty Source: MEGA Survey
GSC Originally established in Statutory Board under the Gambling Supervision Act 2010 Remote and land based gambling. 25 online licence holders; all bookmakers; controlled games; Casino. 4 members plus Chair (Chair must be solicitor, advocate, barrister of at least 5 years’ standing).
Director of Regulation – Steve Brennan. Head of Policy and 4 full time inspectors.
GSC – What Do We Do? Due diligence on operators, who are the beneficial owners? Licensing principles under Gambling Supervision Act 2010 are:- a) Ensure remote gambling is fair and open; b) Prevent remote gambling from being a source of crime; c) Protect the young and vulnerable;
GSC – What Do We Do? Continued... d) Ensure gambling products promoted by operators in the Isle of Man can compete effectively throughout the world. Issue licences and post licensing reviews. Ensure regulations are complied with – AML/KYC/ring fencing of player funds/fairness of play/software testing.
The Legislation – The Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 (“OGRA”) Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 – covers remote casinos, lotteries and all forms of betting undertaken by means of a telecommunication. Excludes:- a) Insurance and investment business (IPA and FSC). b) ISPs.
Regulation continued... c) Software developers. d) Disaster recovery (covered by secondary legislation). e) Online Gambling (Exclusion) Regulations 2010
Regulation continued... Operators require to be incorporated in the Isle of Man. Designated Official or Operations Manager resident in the Isle of Man (section 10 of OGRA). Transactional servers in Isle of Man. Banking in the Isle of Man. Ring fencing of player funds
Regulations 1. Online Gambling Duty Regulations Online Gambling (Advertising) Regulations Online Gambling (Prescribed Descriptions) Regulations Online Gambling (System Verification) (No 2) Regulations Online Gambling (Betting and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations Online Gambling (Disaster Recovery) (No 2) Regulations Online Gambling (Registration and Accounts) Regulations Online Gambling (Licence Fees) Order Online Gambling (Participants’ Money) Regulations Online Gambling (Exclusions) Regulations Copies available at
Update – Past 12 Months Gambling Supervision Act Online Gambling (Exclusion) Regulations Increase in licence holders.
The Future? EU USA Licensing at point of consumer?
Questions?