Isle of Man Licensees Block Nearly 3,000 Underage Gamblers

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has reported that nearly 3,000 underage players were successfully blocked from accessing licensed gambling platforms in 2023. This finding highlights the effectiveness of current age verification and responsible gambling measures implemented by Isle of Man licensees. With only a small percentage of responsible gambling tools actively used, the GSC is now considering updates to its policies to better support safe and responsible gaming practices across the jurisdiction.

Isle of Man Licensees Block 3,000 Underage Gamblers, Review Responsible Gambling

A recent report by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) reveals that nearly 2,972 underage players were prevented from accessing licensed gambling platforms throughout 2023. Conducted with input from 33 of the Isle of Man’s 35 licensees, the Online Responsible Gambling Survey Report reviewed the responsible gambling practices in place, showing robust controls and policies to block underage players, enforce ethical marketing, and support self-exclusion.

Key Points:

• 2,972 underage players were blocked from accessing licensed sites in 2023.
• 31 licensees implement ethical marketing policies to prevent targeting underage audiences.
• Self-exclusion response times varied, with some requests taking over 12 hours.

According to the GSC, the most common method for detecting underage players is age consent at sign-up, where users are prompted to verify their birthdate before creating an account. A total of 32 out of 33 operators reported using monitoring controls, and all operators rated their tools as “effective” or “very effective” in preventing underage gambling. Moreover, 79% of licensees reported no instances of underage registration in 2023, showing a high level of compliance across the board.

Additionally, 31 licensees have policies in place to prevent marketing from targeting underage audiences. These ethical marketing guidelines are reinforced by contractual restrictions on third-party affiliates, with 27 licensees ensuring affiliates uphold responsible marketing standards. Meanwhile, 20 licensees implement policies that prevent underage exposure to gambling advertisements on social media.

Responsible Gambling Tools: Usage and Compliance

The survey also reviewed the uptake of responsible gambling tools across the Isle of Man licensees. While all respondents confirmed they offer systems such as elective deposit limits, spending caps, and loss controls, only 2.5% of players engaged with these tools. This figure may be understated as one-third of respondents could not provide usage statistics, prompting the GSC to caution that actual uptake rates could be higher.

To comply with Isle of Man regulations, operators must provide at least one elective control option, helping players manage their gambling activities responsibly. The GSC’s findings indicate that there is room for improvement in promoting these tools to players, ensuring they are widely known and accessible.

Self-Exclusion Measures and Response Times

Self-exclusion requests, another key area of focus, were also analyzed. By the end of 2023, 21,999 players had registered for self-exclusion, representing 0.8% of the total player base. While the majority of self-exclusion requests were processed immediately, response times varied based on the request method. For example, 57% of self-exclusions were enacted immediately, whereas some requests took up to 12 hours or longer, especially if submitted by email.

The GSC also noted that 73% of operators received complaints regarding responsible gambling, typically related to communication on limits, self-exclusion enforcement, and documentation for affordability checks. Additionally, the report identified two cases where players circumvented self-exclusion controls, a serious concern that highlights the need for continued improvement in compliance procedures.

GSC Considers Responsible Gambling Policy Updates

Following these findings, the GSC is evaluating potential policy adjustments to enhance responsible gambling practices. The regulator emphasized that regulations must be “evidence-led” and intends to use the survey results to inform potential legislative changes.

“The GSC is committed to ensuring that the interventions specified in regulations are evidence-led and intends to use the results of the survey to inform future legislative changes,” a GSC spokesperson said. The GSC aims to provide licensees and the public with clearer guidance on regulatory expectations, enhancing transparency in responsible gambling efforts.

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission’s 2023 report underscores the effectiveness of the island’s current responsible gambling controls but also reveals opportunities for improvement, particularly in promoting the use of responsible gambling tools. With almost 3,000 underage players blocked and over 21,000 self-exclusion registrations, the GSC’s findings demonstrate a robust system while indicating the need for continuous adaptation. As the GSC reviews its policies, these efforts aim to ensure Isle of Man’s gambling market remains a responsible and secure environment for all players.