Compliance Updates
A Guide to Isle of Man Gambling Regulation: Ensuring Compliance and Integrity in the Online Gambling Industry

Nick Bowden is the Head of Regulatory Affairs for SolutionsHub with a passion for assisting businesses navigate complex gambling regulation. As a highly respected former Inspector for the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), Nick has a unique and invaluable perspective on the regulatory landscape.
During his tenure with the GSC, Nick worked closely with online gambling operators, ensuring their adherence to the stringent regulations set by the Commission. His responsibilities spanned a wide range, from processing applications, ongoing supervision, and conducting compliance visits to participating in policy projects.
In this article, Nick explores the intricacies of Isle of Man online gambling regulation and supervision. Leveraging his wealth of experience from both sides of the regulatory spectrum, he offers an overview of the regulatory landscape. This includes an examination of the key requirements for operators and the pivotal role of the GSC in upholding the integrity of the industry.
The Isle of Man: A Hub for Online Gambling Businesses
The Isle of Man is a well-established jurisdiction for online gambling operations, offering a number of significant benefits for licence holders:
- A robust regulatory framework;
- A favourable tax regime;
- A skilled workforce; and
- State-of-the-art infrastructure.
These factors have made the Isle of Man an attractive destination, both for start-up businesses and established operations who may be looking to relocate or set up an additional entity in the island.
What Does the GSC do?
The GSC is responsible for the regulation and supervision of all gambling activities on the Isle of Man. Its primary objectives include:
- Ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and transparently;
- Protecting the young and vulnerable individuals from the potential harms of gambling;
- Keeping the gambling industry crime-free; and
- Maintaining the Isle of Man’s reputation as a trusted jurisdiction.
The GSC achieves these objectives through a rigorous licensing process, regular compliance audits, and the ongoing supervision of its licensed operators.
The Licensing Process: What Does It Entail?
To obtain a license from the GSC, issued under the Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 (“OGRA”), an applicant must go through a comprehensive licence application process, which includes:
- Submission of a detailed business plan: This includes information about the proposed business model, company structure, ownership, key personnel, financial projections, marketing strategy and funding for the operation.
- Provision of supporting documentation: Applicants must submit various documentation to support their application, such as:
- Certificates of incorporation;
- Articles and memorandums of association;
- Shareholding structure;
- Proof of identity for key personnel;
- Evidence of financial stability;
- Evidence of the source of wealth and funds to finance the model.
- Technical systems evaluation: The GSC assesses the operator’s gaming platform, ensuring that it meets the required technical standards in terms of fairness, security, and reliability.
- Fit and proper tests: The GSC conducts thorough background checks on the company and its key personnel to ensure they possess the necessary integrity, competence, and financial standing.
- Payment of licensing fees: Operators must pay an application fee, and once successful with the application, a licence fee paid annually. Operators are also required to pay gambling duty where applicable, which is calculated based on the licensee’s gross gaming yield.
Upon successful completion of the licensing process, operators are granted an OGRA license, permitting them to conduct online gambling activities in the Isle of Man.
Compliance: An Ongoing Responsibility for Online Gambling Operators
Licensed operators must conform to the legislative requirements of OGRA and other Isle of Man gambling laws. To ensure the operations remain complaint, licensees are subject to ongoing compliance requirements, which include:
- Periodic reporting: Operators must submit quarterly financial and operational reports to the GSC, together with copies of audited financial statements on an annual basis; each demonstrating the licence holders’ ongoing compliance with regulations;
- Compliance audits: The GSC conducts both desk-based and on-site audits to assess the operator’s adherence with regulatory requirements;
- Player protection measures: Operators must ensure all player funds are segregated from operational funds and protected in the event of insolvency. Operators must also implement responsible gambling measures, such as the provision of self-exclusion options, and always maintain strict age verification and screening processes;
- Anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) controls: Operators must have robust systems in place to detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing activities. Operators must also appoint a competent Money Laundering Reporting Officer (“MLRO”) and AML/CFT Compliance Officer
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in penalties, including fines, or a suspension or revocation of the license.
Why Is Regulatory Compliance Crucial in the Online Gambling Industry?
At the heart of the Isle of Man’s regulatory framework is a focus on protecting players and maintaining the integrity of the industry, however unlike other tier-one regulators there is a distinct human connection between the GSC and its licensees.
By fostering a transparent, fair, and responsible gambling environment, the GSC helps build trust between operators, players, and other stakeholders.
Why is this trust so important? Consider the following aspects:
- Player confidence: When players feel confident that operators are regulated and adhere to strict guidelines, they are more likely to participate in that operator’s activities, which benefits both the industry and the Isle of Man economy;
- Responsible gambling: The GSC’s regulations help protect minors and vulnerable persons from the potential harms that are unfortunately often linked with the industry. The regulatory regime of the GSC ensures that operators promote responsible gambling practices and provide resources for those who may be struggling with gambling addiction;
- Fairness and transparency: By requiring operators to maintain fair and transparent gaming practices, players are able to have an enjoyable gambling experience with the knowledge they will always receive their fair and true winnings, whilst being free from risks of fraud and manipulation;
- Crime prevention: Strict AML and CFT measures deter criminals from using the services of OGRA licence holders as a conduit for illegal activities, keeping the sector clean and legitimate.
Ultimately, a well-regulated online gambling industry benefits all parties involved – players, operators, and the jurisdiction itself.
Key Takeaways for OGRA Licence Holders & Applicants
For online gambling operators seeking to set up operations in the Isle of Man, it is crucial to understand and comply with the regulatory requirements set by the GSC. Some key points to remember include:
- Thorough preparation: The licensing process is comprehensive, and operators must be prepared to submit detailed documentation and demonstrate their adherence to the required standards;
- Ongoing compliance: Obtaining a license is just the beginning; operators must maintain compliance with the GSC’s regulations throughout the lifecycle of their business;
- Player protection: A core focus of the GSC’s regulations is the protection of players, with an emphasis on responsible gambling, fair play, and security of player funds;
- Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism: Operators must have AML/CFT controls in the forefront of their mind, ensuring they have robust systems in place to mitigate the risk of financial crime within their operations.
The Isle of Man is a leading jurisdiction for online gambling operators, thanks in large part to the GSC’s commitment to maintaining a well-regulated and reputable industry. By understanding and adhering to the GSC’s regulations, operators can build a successful and sustainable online gambling business that benefits both their customers and the wider community.
AML
Payments Under Scrutiny: Polish Example

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Online gambling continues to thrive in Poland, despite the country’s strict regulatory framework. Virtual casinos and betting platforms still attract players with the promise of easy access and quick winnings. Yet, their operations would not be possible without the involvement of payment institutions that process transactions for entities operating outside the boundaries of the law. Behind the scenes lie not only questions about compliance with Poland’s Gambling Act, but also serious concerns about money laundering and the potential financing of criminal activity.
PSPs Legal Responsibility
The key question remains the legality of actions taken by payment institutions that handle transactions linked to illegal online gambling. Do they, even unintentionally, help such operations thrive? Under Polish law, payment service providers are required to monitor and limit high-risk transactions. In practice, this means that every deposit or withdrawal connected to unlicensed gambling activity should be treated as a red flag. Special attention is also given to transactions made through popular mobile payment systems such as BLIK. While BLIK itself is not a payment institution under Polish law, the banks and financial operators using it are and it is they who bear responsibility for preventing the flow of funds that may support illegal gambling activities.
Clear Legal Framework, Limited Excuses
Polish law leaves little room for speculation here. The register of domains used to offer illegal gambling, the ban on processing payments for unlicensed operators, and the penalties outlined in the Fiscal Penal Code and Criminal Code set clear boundaries of responsibility.
The Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML) and the EU Regulation 2023/1113 require payment institutions to actively monitor transactions, block suspicious transfers, and cut off risky relationships. Guidance issued by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF/UKNF) and the National Risk Assessment, along with its sectoral annex, describes typical abuse schemes and makes it clear that payments directed toward online gambling should be treated as a major warning signal. In practice, this means that financial channels supporting illegal gambling must be identified and shut down before the funds return to players as so-called “winnings.”
And this principle is now being actively enforced. Recently, the Financial Supervision Authority (UKNF) went a step further, issuing a sector-wide warning urging payment service providers to block financial flows to unlicensed operators. In response, Polish payment providers have begun withdrawing support for illegal gambling sites and removing payment options such as BLIK from unlicensed platforms.
The Hardest to Detect: The Intermediary Role
The flow of funds into illegal online gambling can take many forms, depending on the relationships between the parties involved in the transaction. The most difficult to detect, however, is the scenario in which a payment institution acts only as an intermediary within a larger payment chain transferring money between other financial service providers without directly serving the payer or the recipient. Even in such cases, the institution is not exempt from its obligation to continuously monitor and analyse all transactions.
Depending on the type of payment, it should apply different verification methods, all aimed at determining whether executing a transfer on behalf of another provider could, in practice, end up funding entities that organize illegal online gambling. The institution must obtain information from the ordering provider about the recipient, determine whether it is engaged in gambling related activity, and verify its legal status. If red flags arise during the analysis such as missing data in the payment chain, a domain listed in the official register, or the absence of the website from the list of legal operators the transaction should be paused or rejected and properly escalated. This includes raising the risk level, notifying the relevant authorities, or even terminating cooperation. When dealing with correspondent relationships involving other institutions, including those based within the European Union, heightened caution is essential.
Grey Market Fuelled by Inaction
Illegal online gambling would not exist without the support of the payment system. Although the law clearly defines the obligations of financial institutions, in practice it is often these very institutions that knowingly or not enable the flow of money into illegal online gambling. This is why effective identification and blocking of such transactions is crucial, especially within complex payment chains where tracing the connections can be most difficult. Every transfer made in support of illegal online gambling represents not only a legal risk but also real support for the shadow economy that thrives on the lack of vigilance within the financial sector.
This article was supplied by:
Marek is a founder and a head of the legal team at RM Legal Law Firm and Gaming In Poland, jointly providing multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional support for leading international gambling operators in the Polish, European Union, and African markets. His gambling practice includes regulatory support at the pre and post-licensing stage, IT, and taxation services, as well as the unique service of performing a function of a gambling representative. RM Legal is the only law firm in Poland representing offshore companies operating legally in the Polish gambling market. Apart from gambling Marek specializes in corporate commercial law and international investment projects.
The post Payments Under Scrutiny: Polish Example appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Indian Government Releases Draft Rules for Online Gaming Act 2025

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The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released draft rules for the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which was introduced back in August.
The draft outlines how online games will be classified and registered, what formats are permitted, and the powers of the proposed Online Gaming Authority of India. It also specifies how registrations can be suspended or cancelled, how grievances will be addressed, and what penalties will apply for violations.
The ministry has invited public feedback on the draft, asking stakeholders to send comments on each rule by October 31.
The Act aims to draw a clear line between gaming and gambling. Passed in August, it bans online money games while supporting esports and “social gaming” (regular video games) as legitimate forms of entertainment.
Introduced by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on August 20 in the Lok Sabha, the Bill cleared the Rajya Sabha the next day and received presidential assent by August 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a “major decision,” saying, “Gaming is not bad, gambling is. They call it gaming, but it becomes gambling.” He added that India should strengthen its global position in gaming and capture a larger share of the market.
The post Indian Government Releases Draft Rules for Online Gaming Act 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Turkey Blocks 30 Social Media Accounts Over Illegal Gambling Ads

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Turkey’s Advertising Board has banned access to 30 social media accounts for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling.
The board said its review found that some YouTube and other social media accounts carried content encouraging users to participate in live betting and promoting gambling.
It ruled that the advertisements violated Turkey’s Regulation on Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices as well as the Consumer Protection Law.
If the content is not removed, the accounts in question will be permanently shut down, the board said.
Gambling is tightly restricted in Turkey. Casinos were banned in 1998 and non-state online gambling was outlawed in 2006. However, the state-run lottery, Milli Piyango, and some licensed betting services remain legal, including a limited number of online platforms. Despite these restrictions, illegal online gambling, especially related to professional football, remains widespread.
In recent years, the Turkish authorities have carried out crackdowns on illegal gambling websites, social media promotions and payment networks, arguing that such activities fuel addiction and drain billions of lira from the economy. The government has also tightened internet controls, requiring platforms to remove banned content quickly or risk heavy fines and bandwidth throttling.
Critics say the restrictions form part of Turkey’s broader efforts to assert control over digital platforms and limit online content deemed harmful or politically sensitive. Major social media companies have faced pressure to comply with Turkish regulations, including demands to establish local offices and respond to takedown requests.
The post Turkey Blocks 30 Social Media Accounts Over Illegal Gambling Ads appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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