Isle of Man Regulator Considers Policy Update

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has announced that it may revise its responsible gambling policies following insights from a recent survey. Responses from 33 of the Isle of Man’s 35 licensees revealed a generally positive outlook on responsible gambling measures but identified areas for improvement, such as processing times for self-exclusion requests and uptake of responsible gambling tools. The potential policy update reflects GSC’s commitment to strengthening player protection and compliance across the jurisdiction.

Isle of Man Gambling Regulator Reviews Policies After Responsible Gambling Report

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) is evaluating its responsible gambling policies after reviewing findings from its Online Responsible Gambling Survey Report. This report, based on feedback from 33 licensed operators, analyzed responsible gambling practices across the island’s iGaming sector from January to December 2023. With key insights into underage gambling prevention, self-exclusion processes, and responsible gambling tool usage, the GSC is considering targeted updates to enhance player safety and operator compliance.

Key Points:

• GSC survey reveals effective underage gambling prevention but highlights areas for improvement in self-exclusion processing times.
• Only 2.5% of players used responsible gambling tools, though GSC notes the uptake may be understated.
• The GSC may update policies to address self-exclusion response times and boost responsible gambling measures.

The survey found that 2,972 underage users were successfully blocked from accessing online gambling sites in 2023, primarily through age consent requests. 32 operators reported using monitoring controls for age verification, which all licensees described as “effective” or “very effective” in preventing minors from gambling. Additionally, 79% of licensees recorded no incidents of underage registration, underscoring the effectiveness of existing controls.

Marketing Practices and Uptake of Responsible Gambling Tools

The survey also assessed operators’ marketing practices, noting that 31 licensees enforce ethical marketing standards to avoid targeting underage audiences. 27 operators maintain contractual restrictions with affiliates to prevent underage exposure to gambling advertisements, while 20 licensees employ social media policies aimed at protecting minors.

However, the GSC’s findings on responsible gambling tools reveal a low uptake, with only 2.5% of players actively using options such as deposit, spending, or loss limits. While all licensees offer at least one elective control, GSC highlights that the actual take-up rate may be higher, as a third of respondents could not provide complete usage data. This gap points to a need for increased awareness and accessibility of responsible gambling tools to encourage greater use among players.

Self-Exclusion Requests and Compliance Concerns

Self-exclusion emerged as an area where the GSC sees potential for improvement. By the end of 2023, 21,999 players (0.8% of the total market) were registered for self-exclusion. While most requests were processed immediately, delays were reported depending on the request method. The survey found that 57% of self-exclusion requests were enacted instantly, while others took up to 12 hours to process. For longer exclusion periods, 21% took up to 12 hours, and 4% extended beyond this timeframe.

The GSC noted that customer-managed account requests typically took effect immediately, whereas email requests could experience delays of up to six hours. To address these discrepancies, the GSC stated: “The time taken to action a self-exclusion request varied by the means by which a customer made the request… All respondents could apply at least one form of self-exclusion request within six hours.”

Potential Policy Updates and Compliance Focus

Following these findings, the GSC is now considering updates to its responsible gambling policies to improve self-exclusion response times and increase the uptake of responsible gambling tools. By leveraging these insights, the regulator aims to ensure that licensees fully understand their responsibilities and that player protection measures remain effective and accessible.

“The GSC is committed to ensuring that the interventions that are specified in regulations are evidence-led and intends to use the results of the survey to inform future legislative changes,” the regulator said. The GSC’s emphasis on evidence-based policy highlights its approach to fostering a responsible gambling environment that evolves with industry developments.

This announcement comes shortly after the GSC issued a £140,000 fine to Cyberhorizon, a former Isle of Man licensee, for failing to meet anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations. This enforcement action underscores the regulator’s dedication to maintaining high standards of compliance across the island’s gambling sector.

The Isle of Man GSC’s consideration of policy updates following the survey report demonstrates its commitment to refining responsible gambling practices within the jurisdiction. By addressing self-exclusion processing times and encouraging more widespread use of responsible gambling tools, the GSC aims to uphold a safe and responsible iGaming environment. As it prepares for potential updates, the regulator’s proactive approach ensures that Isle of Man licensees remain aligned with evolving player protection standards and regulatory expectations.