Isle of Man Gambling License

The Isle of Man offers a compelling set of advantages for obtaining a gambling license:

Reputable Jurisdiction
The Isle of Man boasts a highly respected reputation as a well-regulated and transparent gambling jurisdiction. Obtaining a license here speaks volumes about your company’s credibility, increasing player confidence and potential partnerships.

Supportive infrastructure
The island government creates a favorable environment for the gambling business. Developed infrastructure, experienced professionals, and readily available resources simplify operations and provide valuable support throughout your journey.

Government support for businesses
The Isle of Man government supports gambling entrepreneurs through various support programs for businesses on the island. These programs include grants for micro-businesses, loans, equity investment, and funding for business process improvements. It is also possible to receive financial support when a business relocates to the Isle of Man. For gambling entrepreneurs, there is a favorable business environment here that facilitates integration into the business. This includes advisory support in the areas of software development, marketing, investment, and other areas.

Business Emergency Recovery Program
The Isle of Man Emergency Business Recovery Program is designed to assist gambling companies affected by political or economic crises in their home countries. It ensures a smooth transition of their operations to the island, minimizing the risks of suspension or complete cessation of operations. Under the program, gambling operators can legally operate in the Isle of Man for 90 days, acting by the laws of their country. After this period, companies are required to obtain an Isle of Man license following standard procedures.

Tax benefits
The island is a paradise for profitability thanks to its incredibly low tax rates. With a 0% corporation tax rate for most gambling and no VAT, businesses thrive with significant savings. This competitive advantage allows for reinvestment in growth and development.

Flexibility and Opportunities
The licensing system provides flexibility to suit your needs. Choose a full license covering a wide range of games or a sub-license for specific activities. In addition, the Isle of Man welcomes innovation and demonstrates a positive attitude towards new technologies such as cryptocurrency, allowing you to cater to a wider audience.

Speed of obtaining a license
Compared to many other jurisdictions, the Isle of Man boasts a much faster application and approval process for gambling licenses. This streamlined system, which typically takes 3-4 months, allows you to get your business up and running faster and capitalize on market opportunities sooner.

Low financial reporting requirements
A private limited company is not required to prepare financial statements unless any of its members or directors request it under local law. Private companies are usually exempt from having their financial statements audited and accounting records can be kept anywhere in the world.

Market Access
The Isle of Man license allows access to a wide range of markets, especially the attractive UK market. This wider reach opens the door to a wider player base and expands your potential audience and revenue streams.

Under local law, a company seeking to obtain a gambling license in the Isle of Man must meet the following requirements:

• be registered in the Isle of Man;
• have two resident directors;
• the appointed officer or operational manager must be a resident of the Isle of Man;
• have sufficient financial resources to carry on the gambling business;
• game servers must be located in the Isle of Man (if applicable);
• random number generators and gaming systems must be certified by an independent software testing organization (if applicable);
• customer gambling rules must be developed, and published on the business website in several world languages;
• directors, designated officers, money laundering reporting officers, and beneficial owners controlling 5% or more of the company are required to undergo due diligence;
• internal AML/CFT policies and procedures must be in place to assess money laundering and terrorist financing risks;
• open a bank account with a local bank into which the operator will accept funds from players, with licensed remote gaming operators only allowed to make payments to players using payment systems approved by the licensor;
• the amount of the minimum authorized capital of the company depends on the type of services it offers.

In addition, to maintain its reputation as a safe jurisdiction for gambling, licensees must comply with Isle of Man policies, protect player funds, and follow advertising standards and anti-money laundering policies. Violation of these requirements may result in the revocation of GSC’s license during its five-year period of validity.

In the Isle of Man, companies choose the type of license depending on their business model and strategic goals, including whether they intend to operate in the B2C or B2B segment, have their game content or, for example, simply have databases of potential players. The license from the GSC permits the use of all digital assets, including cryptocurrencies. The license is valid for five years and the Commission has the right to revoke it if any conditions are violated.

Types of licenses a company can obtain in the Isle of Man:

Full license
This is the main standard type of license. Full license holders can operate the B2C segment, register their players, and store their data. They can offer a White Label solution to other operators, giving them access to the platform, content, and other business solutions, thereby exempting them from the Isle of Man’s compliance requirements. Full license holders also have the right to cooperate with other operators by providing them with their games and software. In this case, they are not responsible for the administrative and legal activities of the operators, but allow them to obtain a sub-license from the Commission. The full license covers the activities of the licensee’s main company and its subsidiaries.

The annual fee for a full license is £36,750 (US$46,764).

Sublicense
An Isle of Man sub-license is a document that grants a company the ability to engage in gambling under the brand and full license of another company. Sublicenses are granted at a reduced fee and bind the licensee to the full license holder through an exclusive agreement. Registered players of the sublicensee may access software or games provided by the full license holder. Notwithstanding the association with the full license holder, a sublicensee may apply for its full license at any time and become a fully independent license holder.

The annual fee for a sub-license is £5,250 (approximately $6,681).

Network Services License
The Isle of Man Network Services License provides companies with the ability to provide hosting and management for online gambling operators. Holders of this license can manage multiple operators by providing them with technical resources. In addition, they can offer White Label solutions including platform, gaming content, and other business solutions for operators looking to enter the market quickly.

This license also provides cost efficiencies as companies can provide technical support to multiple operators, making infrastructure costs more reasonable. License holders must have a high level of technical expertise, ensuring stable, secure, and efficient services. They must also comply with strict regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering and player protection measures.

The annual fee for a network services license is £52,500 (approximately $66,806).

Software Provider License
The Isle of Man Software Provider License enables gambling software developers and suppliers to provide their solutions for use by operators in the Isle of Man or other jurisdictions. It allows companies to engage in the development and supply of gambling software, ensuring their compliance with regulatory requirements.

This license does not restrict software providers in the choice of their customers, nor does it impose restrictions on the geographical location of the use of the software products. It is important to note that the acquisition of this license implies strict verification by the regulatory body, ensuring high standards of technical reliability and compliance with safety standards in the gambling industry. Also, holders of this license are required to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) laws and report accordingly.

The annual fee for a software provider license is £36,750 (approximately $46,764).

To obtain a gambling license in this jurisdiction, it is necessary to start by establishing a limited liability company (Ltd) and registering it with the Isle of Man Registrar of Companies. Given that the Isle of Man is a British Crown dependency, the official language is English, which simplifies the process of applying for a license, as there is no need for translation.

To set up a company you will need:

• memorandum of association;
• articles of association;
• copies of the personal documents of the directors and shareholders;
• a document confirming the address of the registered office located in the Isle of Man.

For a full list of the documents required for incorporation, as well as the requirements for their execution, please contact our lawyers.

The registration process is quite simple and involves several steps:

• reserving a unique company name (you can check the availability of the name on the Registrar of Companies website);
• preparation of documents;
• opening a bank account in a local bank;
• submitting documents to the Registrar of Companies;
• paying the registration fee;
• receiving the certificate of incorporation.

The registration fees payable to the Registrar of Companies depend on the urgency with which you need to obtain a certificate of incorporation:

• £100 (about US$127) for standard registration within 48 hours of receipt of application documents;
• £250 (approx. USD 318)for registration within 2 hours (only possible if the registration documents are received at the branch before 14:30 on a business day);
• £500 (approximately $636) for expedited registration while the registrant waits (only available if the registration documents are received at the office before 4:00 p.m. on a business day).

The registration fee paid to the department is non-refundable, whether or not the company was registered by the specified requirements.

The laws of the Isle of Man distinguish between Internet gambling and traditional gambling. The former is defined as the creation of online games using telecommunications, while the latter includes controlled machines, usually installed in casinos, that provide players with the opportunity to win prizes.

The Gambling Supervisory Commission (GSC) in the Isle of Man was established in 1962 as an independent regulatory body overseeing land-based gambling. With the massive and steady growth of online gambling, this commission has also taken responsibility for regulating online activity.

Unlike other countries around the world that have amended their existing gambling laws to adapt to online gambling, the Isle of Man has developed a specific legislative framework for the online market. The key piece of legislation regulating Internet gambling in the Isle of Man was the Internet Gambling Regulation Act 2001 (OGRA), which seeks to protect players and support online casino operators.

Gambling, including betting, bookmaking, and lotteries, also falls under the regulation of the Gaming, Betting and Lotteries Act 1988 (GBLA) and the Gaming Betting and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2001. These Acts contain provisions on gambling regulations, control of underage participation, and other restrictions and regulations.

It is important to note that the activities of gambling licensees in this jurisdiction are also subject to AML/CFT regulation. Compliance with AML/CFT regulations is also monitored by the GSC. The Commission is also actively involved in national initiatives to assess money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the gambling industry and contributes to the evaluation of the effectiveness of AML/CFT measures in the Isle of Man by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. The primary legislation regulating gambling and countering money laundering and terrorist financing is the Gambling (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism) Act 2018.

Due to the legislation developed, a gambling website holding the Isle of Man license can be considered a safe and legal place to engage in real money gambling.

The tax system in the Isle of Man is considered one of the most competitive in the world. The corporate tax rate for most types of income is 0%. Distributions of dividends, royalties, and interest paid to non-residents of the Isle of Man are subject to income tax at 0%.

Instead of corporation tax, gambling operators in the Isle of Man are liable to pay gambling tax. Gambling tax rates can vary from 0.1% to 1.5% of gross gaming revenue, depending on the type of gambling activity and the company’s income.

In addition, the island has more than 30 double tax treaties, which allows international companies to optimize their tax burden.

A gaming license in the Isle of Man is valid for five years. You must apply to renew your license six months before it expires. This will allow you to resolve any problems before the expiry date.

Documents required to renew your license:

• renewal application form (available on the GSC website);
• any changes to your company details, directors, shareholders, or key employees;
• financial statements certified by an auditor registered in the Isle of Man;
• a compliance statement confirming compliance with the regulations;
• anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC policies and procedures;
• information on measures taken for responsible gaming;
• technical specifications and updates to your platform or systems.

Depending on the type of your license and activities, additional documents may be required, a list of which can be checked with our lawyers.

Application Process:

• submit your completed application form and supporting documents to the GSC;
• GSC will review your application for completeness and compliance;
• you may be contacted by the GSC if they need additional information or clarification.

Once approved, you will receive a new license for five years.