Obtaining a gambling license in the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is one of the most innovative jurisdictions for online gambling regulation, actively implementing new technologies and adapting its legislation to new challenges. After incorporating digital currency into anti-money laundering legislation in 2015 and allowing cryptocurrency operations in 2017, Man became the first jurisdiction to license blockchain lottery, and in 2019 introduced voluntary licensing for blockchain software providers, strengthening its position as a center for technological innovation in gaming and finance.

Obtaining a gaming license in the Isle of Man provides operators with numerous advantages that make this jurisdiction one of the best choices for iGaming business:

• A license issued by the Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has a high level of trust among players, partners, and financial institutions, and is recognized in many countries, facilitating access to the global market.
• The Isle of Man provides significant tax advantages for iGaming businesses: low gaming revenue tax (0.1% to 1.5%), zero corporate income tax (0%), no capital gains tax, and no dividend tax.
• The Isle of Man gaming license is suitable for various activities: online casinos, sports betting, poker, lotteries, fantasy games, etc.
• The Isle of Man actively supports innovative solutions, including blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies in gaming business.
• The island offers modern IT infrastructure, including data centers, high-speed internet, and cybersecurity services, providing access to first-class payment providers, banking services, and partner networks.
• The Isle of Man government actively invests in technology development and supports the online gaming industry: new companies receive support through consultations and tax benefits.
• Continuous GSC supervision ensures operators' compliance with fair play standards and legislation, improving company market image.

Types of Online Gaming Licenses in the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man offers various types of online gambling licenses, each covering specific aspects of the operator's business model. License choice depends on whether the company plans to operate in B2C or B2B segments, and whether the operator has its own content or player base. Licenses are issued for five years, and the Gambling Commission has the right to revoke them if any conditions are violated. Main license types available in the Isle of Man:

Full License:

• For whom: Operators planning to work in B2C segment, register players on their platform, and store their data.
• Features: Licensee can work with own technologies and games, provide White Label solutions to other operators, and cooperate with multiple sub-licensees. The main licensee is also responsible for partners but not for their administrative and legal actions.
• B2C activities: Collection and storage of player data, possibility of partnership with multiple sub-licensees, use of own technologies.
  
  

Sub-license:

• For whom: Operators without gambling industry experience who want to launch their own online casino or have a player base without games.
• Features: License allows working with main licensee's technologies and games at a reduced rate, without needing to meet full license conditions independently. However, sub-licensee can contract with only one main licensee but can apply for a full license in the future.
• B2C activities: Reduced rate, player data collection and storage, access to main licensee's technologies.

Network License:

• For whom: Operators wanting to accept players registered in casinos of other jurisdictions without additional registration.
• Features: This license allows easy player data migration between servers without KYC and AML procedures if the partner meets requirements. License opens opportunities for new market entry and audience expansion.
• B2C activities: Ability to accept players from other jurisdictions, use own technologies, partnership with multiple sub-licensees.

B2B Software Services Licensing:

• For whom: Software developers wanting to supply solutions to Isle of Man operators.
• Features: While software licensing isn't mandatory for offering software in the Isle of Man, obtaining it adds prestige to developers. Licenses can be obtained for standard fiat currency platform providers or blockchain software providers.
• B2B activities: Supply of gambling software to Isle of Man operators, ability to work with fiat currencies and blockchain.

These licenses allow operators and software providers to choose the most suitable option depending on the type of business and strategic goals, while maintaining high standards of security and integrity in the gambling industry.

Procedure for Obtaining Online Gaming License in the Isle of Man

The process of obtaining an online gambling license in the Isle of Man is clearly regulated and consists of several stages. Application review takes about 10-12 weeks, and the total licensing process takes about 6 months.

1. Document preparation
2. Application submission with required documentation
3. License review fee payment
4. Company and personnel verification
5. Games and technology certification
6. License issuance for up to 5 years
7. Annual license renewal

Campio Group provides comprehensive assistance in obtaining online gaming licenses in the Isle of Man, including:

• Company registration in the Isle of Man.
• Collection and preparation of all necessary documents for gambling license.
• Development of internal website policies, including KYC, AML, and CTF.
• Ensuring annual license renewal and business compliance monitoring.
• Digital wallet opening for payment reception.