The contents of this page are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise.
What Is the Isle of Man Gambling Commission?
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission is a regulatory authority that monitors the gambling industry on the Isle of Man. The Gambling Isle of Man Commission was established in 1962 with the aim of ensuring that all gambling activities taking place on the island are done in accordance with the law and a fair manner.
The online gambling Isle of Man Commission also issues licences to operators who wish to offer their online gambling services and products on the island. The Commission also keeps a close watch on licence holds to ensure that they are operating in compliance with the rules and regulations set.
Isle of Man Gambling Commission Contact Details
If you need to get in touch with the Isle of Man Gambling Commission, we have compiled the following table to help you have a good overview.
Official name
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
Founded
1962
Headquarters
Ground Floor, St George’s Court, Myrtle Street, Douglas, Isle of Man
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission kicked off its journey in 1962 to protect the interests of gamblers on the island, by making sure that gambling remained fair and crime-free.
The commission regulates many forms of gambling, including land-based and online gambling services. The Online Gambling Regulation Act (OGRA) of 2001, was created with the aim of drawing business to the island, but also to implement player protection.
Why Play at Casinos With an Isle of Man Gambling Licence?
There are many reasons why you should consider an online casino with an Isle of Man gambling licence. The Gambling Commission has been around since 1962 and during this time, it has proven to be a strict gambling authority that pushes player protection.
The Gambling Act Isle of Man has been designed to protect players’ interests, whilst at the same time, promoting business growth. Moreover, the Isle of Man gambling laws ensure that all licensed casino sites have the right safety and security measures in place to keep players protected.
This would also mean that casinos must have the right tools to protect players’ personal and financial information, by adopting SSL encryption technology. They should also have the best interests of players at heart by providing them with all the essential responsible gambling tools.
It’s no wonder then why many online gambling companies choose to locate to this place.
How to Choose the Best Isle of Man Casino
If you are looking to sign up for an account at one of the best Isle of Man casinos, follow the below steps:
1
Select a casino
Browse through the list of the best Isle of Man casinos listed above.
2
Read reviews
Read our in-depth casino reviews and pick a top casino site Isle of Man.
3
Read the terms
Take the time to read the terms and conditions of any casino bonuses or promotions you are thinking of claiming.
4
Register and deposit
You can now proceed to sign up for an account and make a deposit by choosing one of the many available payment methods.
5
Play
As soon as your funds are credited to your casino account, you can start playing games.
Player Protection in Isle of Man Licensed Casinos
Online casinos with a valid Isle of Man gaming licence must adopt a number of player protection measures to ensure the safety of customers whilst they are playing on the site.
All casinos with an Isle of Man licence must verify the identity of their players, to safeguard against any potential underage gambling and money laundering attempts. Furthermore, all licensed and regulated online casinos must use safe and secure payment methods to protect the players’ financial information.
The Gambling Supervision Commission Isle of Man also required that all licensed online casinos use random number generators so that the results of the games are produced at random and not manipulated.
Casino Dispute Resolution Under Isle of Man Gaming Licence
In the event that a dispute arises between a player and a casino, the Commission advises that the player tries to resolve it with a member of the casino’s customer support team. If this does not lead to a satisfactory resolution, then the player can get in touch with the Commission via email or by filling out the complaint form.
The Commission does not take sides and will actively offer resolutions to help both parties reach a satisfactory conclusion.
How to Check a Casino for an Isle of Man Gambling Licence
Checking if your preferred online casino has a valid Isle of Man Gambling Licence is a straightforward procedure. Follow the below steps to help you validate and authenticate the licence:
Scroll down: Scroll all the way down to the online casino’s footer and look for the logo of the Isle of Man Gambling Commission.
Click: You should be able to click on the logo, which will in turn take you to the Isle of Man Gambling Commission’s website.
Check: Here, you will be able to look up information on the online casino of your choice. You will be able to cross-check the information available on the casino with that of the Gambling Commission’s. You can also look if the licence has expired as well as other relevant information.
A note from Mr. Gamble: We always recommend checking the validity of a casino’s gambling licence, since there are many rogue casinos available on the market. If you are signing up for an account at a gambling site recommended by Mr. Gamble, you can rest assured that we have run all relevant checks.
Casino Rules and Regulations by Isle of Man Gambling Commission
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission has established a number of rules and regulations to ensure that all gambling activities are conducted in an honest and fair manner. These regulations cover a number of areas but are not limited to:
Anti-money laundering: The Commission has a number of regulations regarding Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing Of Terrorism.
Player protection: The Commission mandates that all licensees should have a system in place that fully safeguards all player funds. This means that any deposits or winnings generated by players are protected and kept in a separate account.
Technical standards: The Commission has established a number of technical standards that cover areas such as game fairness, software integrity and data protection.
Dispute resolution: If no satisfactory resolution is agreed between the player and the casino in the case of a dispute, the Commission will step in and recommend procedures.
Why You Should Get Isle of Man Gaming Licence in 2024
There are many reasons why many casino operators ultimately choose to pick it as their gambling license, including:
Trust value: An Isle of Man Gambling licence adds a high trust and credibility value, which players look upon favourably.
Payment providers: Many payment processors will require online casinos to be licensed and regulated before working with them.
Player protection: The Commission mandates that all licensees must have a safe system in place to protect player funds. Players are more likely to sign up for an account knowing that their funds and interests are protections.
New markets: Acquiring a gambling licence from the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission allows operators quick access to new markets.
Gambling Licence Types Offered by Isle of Man Gambling Commission
The Isle of Man Gambling Commission offers many types of gambling licences to operators including:
Full Licence (Main OGRA Licence)
This is the standard Isle of Man gambling license, which enables holders to operate B2C, register their players and store their data. Moreover, they can offer other operators a White Label solution by providing them with a platform, business solutions and content.
Applicants with this Isle of Man gaming license can also strike partnerships with other operators by offering them software and games without bearing the operators’ administrative and legal activities. In short, they can:
Run a B2C operation
Store and collect player data
Operate and offer games and platform
They can partner up with sub-licensees and offer White Label Solutions
Sub-Licence
Operators who have no experience in the online gambling industry and can enter the market for the first time may want to opt for the Isle of Man online gambling sub-licence. This licence is the ideal option for a new company that has a database of potential players but has absolutely no products to offer as yet.
Sub-licences are granted to an online casino Isle of Man on a reduced fee and bind the licensee to a full licence holder with an exclusive agreement. In short, they can:
Run a B2C operation
Benefit from a lower fee
Collect and store player data
Have the opportunity to strike a partnership with a full licence
Gain access to the full licensee’s portfolio of software, such as games, etc
Network Services Licence
The Network Services Licence has similar obligations and rights as the full OGRA licence, but the key exception here is that licensees can also accept players registered with casinos licensed in other jurisdictions, essentially skipping the re-registration process. This transition process enables the quick migration of player data from the source server to a server located on the Isle of Man without requiring any KYC or AML checkers. There are no fees applicable to adding new partner operations to the network. Here is a summary:
Ability to offer services as a B2C operator
Ability to collect and store player data
Can accept players registered in other jurisdictions
Can operate with own technology
Can partner up with sub-licensees and offer White Label solutions
B2B Software Supplier Licence
This licence is not obligatory when it comes to offering software to Isle of Man licensees. That said, providers across the globe could benefit from this licence since it grants them the reputation of the Isle of Man business network.
There are two main types of software supplier licences, namely one for standard fiat platform providers and another one for blockchain-based software providers. Products must undergo thorough testing and get certified to be listed in the GSC games registry.
Isle of Man Gambling Licence Requirements
To acquire a gambling licence in the Isle of Man, online casino sites must meet a certain number of prerequisites and eligibility criteria.
To qualify for an Isle of Man gambling licence, all authorised parties, including the director, shareholders and officers must submit a certificate of no criminal record that is not older than three months.
The online gambling operators must also provide a detailed rundown of all the games they are planning on offering as well as proof that the servers that are going to be used are going to be located in the Isle of Man. Financial reports as well as personal information such as IDs and background checks must also be submitted.
How to Get an Isle of Man Gambling Licence
To apply for a gambling licence from the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, there are a number of steps that applicants must take.
First, they must submit an application to the Gambling Supervision Commission and provide all personal information, such as their full name, address and other contact details. The applicant must also provide detailed information about the company, including its structure, ownership and management.
Furthermore, the applicant must also provide financial reports that show they can run a gambling business as well as a detailed rundown of all the games and services that are going to be offered.
Along with background checks for every authorised person, proof of the location of the servers and market research must also be submitted.
Why You Shouldn't Operate Without a Gambling License
There are many good reasons why operators should opt for an Isle of Man gambling licence. To begin with, the Isle of Man has a very modern telecommunications infrastructure, that enables companies such as online casinos to run their operations smoothly.
Here are a number of reasons, why you should never operate without a valid gambling licence:
Legal consequences: It is a criminal offence to operate without a valid gambling licence. The authorities can impose fines, penalties and even imprisonment for non-compliance. Players or other stakeholders can file civil lawsuits against unlicensed operators for a number of reasons, including fraud, failure to pay winnings and unfair practices.
Financial consequences: Without a valid gambling licence, you miss out on potential revenue from legal operators. Licensed operators attract players, leaving unlicensed operators at a disadvantage.
Reputational consequences: Operating without a valid gambling licence damages your reputation and makes players question your integrity and reliability. Industry watchdogs may also blacklist unlicensed operators.
Isle of Man Gambling Licence Cost
The Isle of Man gambling license cost varies depending on the type of gambling licence purchased. Each license type requires annual fee payments and is valid for a five-year duration.
Licence type
Cost
OGRA application
£5,250
OGRA full licence
£36,75
Sub-licence
£5,250.
OGRA network services licence or an OGRA token-based software licence
£36,750
Annual fee (must be paid in addition to the application fees)
£35,000
FAQs
Is casinos regulated by isle of man safe to play?
Yes, casinos regulated by the Isle of Man are safe to play. The Isle of Man is a well-respected jurisdiction for online gambling and has a strong regulatory system in place to ensure that all gaming activities are conducted in a fair and secure manner. All gambling sites regulated by the Isle of Man must adhere to strict rules and regulations. This helps to ensure that players are protected and that the games they are playing are fair and secure.
Is isle of man casinos reputable?
Yes, the Isle of Man is home to several reputable casinos. The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission regulates the industry and ensures that all casinos are safe and secure for players to use. The Commission also ensures that all casinos adhere to stringent anti-money laundering regulations and protect the rights of their customers.
When did the Isle of Man gambling licence start?
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission was established in 1962.
How long does it take to obtain the Isle of Man gambling licence?
The Gambling Supervision Commission aims to process all applications within 12 weeks of receipt, provided that all information has been provided.
Is crypto allowed under Isle of Man gambling laws?
To date, the Isle of Man Government encourages the development of gambling, but there is no evidence to suggest that crypto is allowed under present gambling laws.
Do I have to register with the Isle of Man Gambling Commission?
You would need to register with the Isle of Man Gambling Commission only if you are aiming to offer your products and services on the islands.
What are the Isle of Man gambling licence requirements on security?
The Gambling Commission has very strict requirements and regulations around anti-money regulations and security. Operators must keep players’ money separate from that of their operations.
How do I contact the Isle of Man Gambling Commission?
You can get in touch with the Isle of Man Gambling Commission by calling them at +44 1624 694331 or by shooting an email to info@gambling.gov.im
How do I complain to the Isle of Man Gambling Commission?
If you are unable to resolve a dispute with an operator, you can get in touch with the Gambling Commission by either visiting the office, calling them at +44 1624 694331 or sending an email to info@gambling.gov.im.
How to get the Isle of Man gambling licence?
To acquire an Isle of Man gambling licence you must fill out the appropriate licence and submit all relevant information, including business plan and background checks amongst others to the Gambling Commission.
How much does the Isle of Man gambling licence cost?
The cost of an Isle of Man gambling licence varies between £5,250 and £52,500 depending on the type of licence you are interested in acquiring.
Paul Puolakka is an experienced marketing executive with a decade's worth of experience in the iGaming industry. As a Chief Marketing Officer, Paul has led initiatives for some of the most renowned casino comparison sites in the Nordics, helping them drive growth and engagement in a highly competitive environment...
