Gambling and e-gaming
| Cannabis licensing |
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| On 19 January 2021, Tynwald approved regulations that allow the GSC to issue licences for participation in a new medical cannabis sector. We are now accepting applications for hemp grown outdoors, please visit the GSC's website for further information. For the high THC market, the commission is finalising its approach to regulation and is finalising consultation with relevant commercial and government stakeholders. We are now accepting license applications, please visit the GSC's website for guidance and application forms. |
| Coronavirus (COVID-19): Important Information |
| The GSC has three messages to those who rely upon its supervision to keep gambling safe. To those who choose to gamble with our licensees, the GSC is fully operational and continues to supervise the Isle of Man's regulated gambling sector. This means that all of the regulations designed to keep you safe are still being monitored and if you encounter difficulties with a gambling operator that you cannot resolve, you can contact the GSC via its website to lodge a complaint and the complaint will be dealt with. To those who are supervised by us, we take it for granted that you continue to implement the high standards expected of you with respect to player safety and the protection of funds. We also recognise that it is a time of significant economic distortion and so we are prioritising measures that help you adapt to the changes you are experiencing. You should continue dialogue with us so that we can accommodate difficulties in a way that both meet our mandate for protection and your commercial realities. To those who intend to license with us, it remains our aim to throw our regulatory umbrella of protection over as many people as possible, so we continue to accept applications for licensing. COVID-19 update 5 May 2020 Some trends have emerged during the lockdown. Please see our comments below. We have become aware of a number of gambling websites, which claim to be licensed by us, but which are not. When we become aware of these sites, we list them on our website's rogue's gallery. While the GSC does make some attempts to remove any false reference to being licenced by the GSC, unfortunately there is little of practical use that we can do to shut these sites down, because they operate outside the Isle of Man. If you gamble with these sites, you may not have the same protections that you have on genuine Isle of Man licensed sites. We've observed a surge in DIY-gambling using social media and tele-conferencing apps such as Facebook, Zoom, Skype etc. If you use your computer in the Isle of Man to organise these without first having a licence, then you're breaking the law. There are exceptions for charities and private clubs. We're very aware that not many people understand that there is specific law to cover gambling and fewer still who know the details. However gambling, even when privately organised locally between friends carries risks that our law regulates, which is why we operate a system of licensing. We are reasonable when we become aware of these activities, but if you are offering gambling that is regular and from which you or your company benefits, then you should either cease or approach us for details of licensing. Finally, if you are a licensee, please be aware that we have modified our policy in the following areas. If you have not been made aware of these changes, please contact us for details. The areas are:
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| Freedom of Information |
| The GSC are subject of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, the GSC publishes its responses on line and these can be found on Online Services by searching for Gambling Supervision Commission. |
The Gambling Supervision Commission ('GSC') is an independent statutory board established in 1962. In addition to the licensing and regulation of land-based gambling operations (casino, amusement and slot machines, betting offices and lotteries), the Commission also regulates all online gambling activities, which have grown significantly in recent years. The core principles the Commission upholds are
- To keep the gambling industry crime free
- To protect the young and those at risk
- To ensure that the services offered by licence holders are fair and that players receive their true winnings
GSC Services
- Anti-money laundering
- Application forms and guidance notes
- Approved Software Register
- Commission meeting dates
- Disaster recovery providers
- Legislation
- Licence holders
- Memorandums of Understanding
- Problem gambling
- Player protection
- Society lotteries
- Testing companies
For Further information on our services please contact us:
Gambling Supervision Commission
Ground Floor
St George's Court
Myrtle Street
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 1ED
The GSC is committed to transparency and accountability and will always endeavour to act in a fair and professional manner. The GSC accepts feedback and comments and complaints are acknowledged as a way to improve procedures or ensure that our role is better understood. Please see Guidance - Making a complaint against the GSC for further details on how to make a formal complaint.
The Isle of Man as a jurisdiction
The Isle of Man Government actively encourages the development of gambling and e-gaming business on the island. It remains committed to delivering a stable government and strong regulatory environment, supported by a wide range of attractive business benefits.
If you are looking to locate your business in the Isle of Man, this site contains information and application forms to assist you in making your decision and getting the application process started.
In 2001, the Isle of Man Government was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to introduce legislation specifically designed to benefit gambling and e-gaming firms and fully protect customers. Following further recent changes, the licensing and regulatory controls are now more responsive to the needs of the gambling and e-gaming industries.
The Isle of Man Government and the private sector have worked hard to ensure that the island has a world class infrastructure and full range of support services in place for the gambling industry.
Department for Enterprise
The Department for Enterprise actively promotes the gambling sector on the Isle of Man and has a dedicated e-Gaming section which offers help to companies wishing to have a gaming presence on the island. If you need practical advice on your potential application for a licence, they will help guide you through the process.
For more information visit DfE's website.
