Key Moments:
- The GSC has prepared new legislative reforms after mostly positive public consultation.
- The changes target seven main laws. The GSC will present them to Tynwald in October, aiming for implementation in 2026.
- The reforms give the GSC stronger investigatory powers. They also clearly separate industry promotion from regulation.
Advancing Regulatory Uniformity
The Isle of Man’s GSC will make significant changes to the gambling legal framework. After a public consultation, the GSC aims to standardize regulatory powers across all gambling laws. The plan is to bring the proposals before Tynwald later this year, targeting enactment in 2026.
The consultation ran from 2 July to 13 August 2025 and received fifteen responses. It focused on standardizing inspections and investigations. While most participants supported these updates, some requested clarification on the extent of certain regulatory authorities.
| Key Laws Impacted |
|---|
| Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 |
| Casino Act 1986 |
| Gambling (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism) Act 2018 |
The reforms are structured to streamline and strengthen the GSC’s oversight, delivering a more consistent and effective supervisory process.
Enhancing Oversight and Accountability
Consultation discussions spotlighted expanded investigatory powers, particularly relating to unlicensed operators, former licensees, and private premises. The GSC clarified that these tools are confined to investigation and do not place ongoing regulatory requirements on those lacking a license or former license holders. According to the regulator, investigatory requests must be “proportionate, targeted, and justified in the context of a specific investigation,” and can only be initiated “on the basis of a reasonable belief that the person may hold relevant information.”
Regarding individual civil penalties under the AML/CFT Act, opinions were mixed. Some believed the change would clarify personal accountability, while others warned it could discourage prospective leaders. The GSC explained that the intent is to “strengthen accountability and ensure that those in positions of significant influence… are held to appropriate standards,” with penalties applicable only following an investigation if a breach resulted from “consent, connivance, or negligence.”
Dividing Industry Growth and Supervision
The planned removal of section 5(3)(h) from the Gambling Supervision Act 2010 will formally separate the industry’s promotional activities from regulatory duties. The GSC affirmed its commitment to impartial oversight, specifying that the Department for Enterprise will now handle the sector’s development. As stated by the regulator, this division ensures regulation remains unbiased while still reacting effectively to industry trends.
Additionally, a new clause will instruct the GSC to consider recognized international standards. Although some feedback expressed concern about tying local law too closely to global norms, the GSC made it clear that it intends to adopt such standards only when suitable for the Isle of Man’s context.
Looking Ahead to International Evaluation
The regulatory updates are set in anticipation of the Isle of Man’s MONEYVAL inspection in 2026, which will review local anti-money laundering measures. The GSC stated it has been “working to align with international standards that keep the sector and the jurisdiction safe from financial crime,” referencing newly established data-sharing agreements with both local law enforcement and foreign authorities. The Commission added that “through its modern and robust regulatory practices, the GSC primarily aims to keep the Isle of Man a fair and safe jurisdiction to do business.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
