How to base an e-gaming business in the Isle of... e- gaming Isle of Man e-gaming – A World Class Package

e-gaming
How to base an e-gaming business in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man e-gaming – A World Class Package
A supportive and accessible Government combined with high quality professional services, makes
starting up or moving to the Island a positive experience.
A brief guide to e-gaming business in the
Isle of Man
Regulation and Legislation
Not all gaming business activities require a licence in the
The Isle of Man Government fully supports the growth of the
Isle of Man. Activities such as marketing, software, skills
e-gaming sector on the Isle of Man and there is a team within
games and disaster recovery can be hosted or carried out
the Department of Economic Development (DED) who are
without any need for an Online Gambling Regulation Act
responsible for providing hands-on support to companies and
2001 (OGRA) licence. This means that companies can be
individuals wanting to do business in this sector.
registered and have head office facilities in the Isle of Man
while licensing elsewhere.
If you are considering the Isle of Man as a licensing jurisdiction
or are interested in what the Isle of Man could offer your
The Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) is the body
business, please contact:
responsible for regulating those gaming operators who require
a licence in the Isle of Man. OGRA is the primary legislation
Mr Garth Kimber
and can be found with all the secondary legislation at
Head of eGaming Development
www.gov.im/gambling along with useful guidance notes on
Department of Economic Development (DED)
making an application.
Isle of Man Government
Tel: +44 (0)1624 682307
Mob: +44 (0)7624 464473
Email: [email protected]
www.iomegaming.im
It is advisable in any case to contact the Department for
further guidance on whether or not your business needs
a licence and how to complete the licensing process.
Department of Economic Development
Isle of Man Government
St Georges Court, Upper Church Street, Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 1EX
Tel: +44(0) 1624 682307
Email: [email protected]
www.iomegaming.im
a winning jurisdiction
e-gaming
The Licence
Gaming Duty
In the Isle of Man one licence covers all activity from sportsbook,
Gaming duty is payable by licensed gaming operators on gross
poker, casino, bingo, lotteries to running network gaming. The
gaming profit at the following rates:
exception is where a sub-licence can be issued for those operators
who are exclusively tied to an Isle of Man based licensed network.
For gross gaming profit not exceeding £20 million per
annum - 1.5%
Basic requirements
For gross gaming profit of more than £20 million per
annum but not exceeding £40 million per annum - 0.5%
The basic requirements for securing an Isle of Man e-gaming
licence are:
The business is carried out by an Isle of Man incorporated
company
The servers, where the bets are struck, are hosted in the
For gross gaming profit of more than £40 million per
annum - 0.1%
These rates apply equally to all operators and in respect of all
bets, wagers, etc. wherever the player is located.
Isle of Man
Affiliate costs can be deducted before calculation of duty.
Banking is carried out in the Isle of Man
Licence Preparation
The business has a minimum of two company directors
resident in the Isle of Man
Although a business can prepare a licence application itself,
it is often easier and quicker to employ the services of an
In most cases an Isle of Man advocate or corporate service
experienced local advocate, advisor or Corporate Service
provider can facilitate the opening of a bank account, company
Provider (CSP).
formation and appropriate resident directors.
The DED can provide a full list of professionals experienced in
There are four data-hosting centres all of which can be
preparing e-gaming licence applications and working with the
contacted through the DED.
gaming industry. In either case, it is useful to refer to the Guidance
Notes available at www.gov.im/gambling and to make contact
Fees
with the DED who can assist you with establishing and growing
There is an initial, non-refundable £1,000 application fee for an
licence.
OGRA licence. Application forms can be downloaded at
www.gov.im/gambling/applicationforms.
Once the licence is granted the licence fee is payable to the
Isle of Man Government. This is £35,000 per annum for a full
licence or £5,000 per annum for a sub-licence.
your business in the Isle of Man, whether or not you require a
Remember...
The Isle of Man Government has a Financial
Assistance Scheme for companies locating
jobs in the Island.
Time scales for licensing
A full and complete application will be put before the GSC for
consideration between 10 and 12 weeks of submission, subject
to answering questions within a reasonable timescale.
Representatives of the company will be required to present the
application in person. Following the hearing the GSC will advise
the outcome in a written response.
a winning jurisdiction