Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
Encyclopedia
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (formerly the Gambling Control Commission) is the Gaming Control Board
of the Isle of Man
. It regulates most forms of gambling in its territory including land based (casino
, amusement and slot machines, betting offices and lotteries) and online gambling services.
The Commission was established in 1962 to protect the interests of gamblers in the Island by ensuring that gambling remains fair and crime-free and that players receive their winnings. It gained worldwide notice with the advent of online gambling
in the early 21st Century due to the Isle's reputation as a tax-friendly jurisdiction. It was one of the first jurisdictions to offer legislation to regulate the activity of e-gaming companies and create a secure atmosphere for the gamblers. One of the main documents underpinning the activity of the Commission is the Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 (OGRA).
The Commission can't enforce any operator to return the stakes that have been voluntary placed and lost in a fair game, but it can provide advice and assistance in enforcing the deposited money and the actual winnings.
of the UK Gambling Commission
and allowed to advertise their services on the territory of the United Kingdom
. This means that the Isle of Man gambling jurisdiction meets the UK government's regulatory requirements regarding the openness, fairness and security of the licensed online gambling operators.
As of 2010 the Commission licences several well-known online gambling companies. The list of current license holders of the Gambling Supervision Commission is provided on their website.
Gaming Control Board
A gaming control board , also called by various names including gambling control board, casino control board, gambling board, and gaming commission) is a government agency charged with regulating casino and other types of gaming in a defined geographical area, usually a state, and of enforcing...
of the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. It regulates most forms of gambling in its territory including land based (casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
, amusement and slot machines, betting offices and lotteries) and online gambling services.
The Commission was established in 1962 to protect the interests of gamblers in the Island by ensuring that gambling remains fair and crime-free and that players receive their winnings. It gained worldwide notice with the advent of online gambling
Online gambling
Online gambling, also known as Internet gambling and iGambling, is a general term for gambling using the Internet.-Online poker:Online poker tables commonly offer Texas hold 'em, Omaha, Seven-card stud, razz, HORSE and other game types in both tournament and ring game structures...
in the early 21st Century due to the Isle's reputation as a tax-friendly jurisdiction. It was one of the first jurisdictions to offer legislation to regulate the activity of e-gaming companies and create a secure atmosphere for the gamblers. One of the main documents underpinning the activity of the Commission is the Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 (OGRA).
Functions
The Commission deals with:- Licensing and regulation of the gaming operators.
- Guidance and cooperation at all stages of the application process.
- Protection of player's funds – the organisation makes sure that their licensees have appropriate systems that regulate player's funds. All the money deposited and withdrawn from the licensed sites is secure and can be enforced by law.
- External testing of games – the Commission approves independent testing facilities to ensure the randomness of results of all games of chance. All companies seeking to be licensed by the Isle of Man have to test their software systems with one of the companies approved by the Commission.
- Monitoring – the activities of the licensed operators (including marketing activities) are constantly monitored by the Commission to ensure their compliance with the law and principles of fair gaming.
- Investigation of complaints concerning the licensees on behalf of the players.
The Commission can't enforce any operator to return the stakes that have been voluntary placed and lost in a fair game, but it can provide advice and assistance in enforcing the deposited money and the actual winnings.
Commissioners
- Claire Milne, Chairman, ? - present
- Ron Spencer, Commissioner, ? - present
- Neil KinradeNeil KinradeNeil Kinrade was the former Deputy Chief Constable of the Isle of Man Constabulary. He is best known for his part in the "Manx Bugging Scandal" of the late 1990s and 2000s, his subsequent suspension from duty and his fight to clear his name, taking High Court action against among others, the Chief...
, Commissioner, ? - present - Jon AllenJon AllenJon Allen is a current Canadian diplomat. He is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel since June 14, 2006. He is Canada's third Jewish ambassador to Israel ....
, Commissioner, ? - present - Howard Callow, Commissioner, ? - present
Status
As the Isle of Man is a British Crown Dependency, they have their own government and legislation, therefore gambling legislation and licensing requirements do not have to be the same as in the UK. Nevertheless, this jurisdiction has very strict rules and therefore remains one of the countries named in the whitelistWhitelisted gambling jurisdictions
Whitelisted gambling jurisdictions are those gambling jurisdictions that are allowed to advertise gambling services on the territory of the United Kingdom....
of the UK Gambling Commission
Gambling Commission
The Gambling Commission is Great Britain's regulatory body for most, but not all, gambling.-History:It was established under the Gambling Act 2005 and assumed full powers in 2007, taking over responsibility from the Gaming Board for Great Britain, in regulating arcades, betting, bingo, casinos,...
and allowed to advertise their services on the territory of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. This means that the Isle of Man gambling jurisdiction meets the UK government's regulatory requirements regarding the openness, fairness and security of the licensed online gambling operators.
As of 2010 the Commission licences several well-known online gambling companies. The list of current license holders of the Gambling Supervision Commission is provided on their website.