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Isle of Man DTI Appoints E-gaming Ambassador
The Isle of Man's Department of Trade & Industry has appointed John Gilmore as e-gaming Ambassador to address the issues that led a number of the Island's online casinos to leave for other jurisdictions, and help to develop appropriate solutions.
Mr Gilmore has joined from Rank Interactive Gaming, where he was Island Director. Throughout his career he has worked for more than 30 years in the gaming industry world-wide.
In his role, Mr Gilmore will be investigating how the Isle of Man can best meet the requirements of the on-line gambling industry, while ensuring the island's position as a Tier 1 jurisdiction continues. Specifically, Mr Gilmore's main task is to work closely with all interested parties – both public (including GCC, FSC, C&E, DTI) and private (including licence holders, supporting IT, telecoms and payment businesses, plus legal and accounting services) - to develop the Island as a leading centre for e-gaming.
He will also promote other segments which are currently fairing well, such as sports betting. Last month BetInternet, the AIM-listed online gaming firm, reported rapid revenue and profits growth leading to its share price trebling. In addition to this licence holder and Manxonline (IOM) Ltd, the Island has recently issued two additional licences for Chronicle and Paddypower.
Alex Downie, MHK, Minister of the DTI said "I believe John is an important addition to our efforts to diversify the Manx economy. The Island's experience with e-gaming has been very valuable, and we have developed a high standard of e-business expertise and facilities that are applicable to all aspects of e-business. I have been impressed by the level of both support and commitment from many Manx businesses and I believe this will be a very powerful force if we can better align it and support it with the Island's legislative and regulatory environment. John will play a key role in helping to co-ordinate our efforts with respect to online gambling."
Mr Gilmore said, "The loss of Littlewoods as the last of the Island's five online casinos is obviously disappointing. From my initial discussions with many individuals in both the public and private sector, I believe there is a recognition that changes need to be made to the Island's gaming environment. I look forward to working with all key parties to help make these changes a reality. This industry is still at a formative stage and will continue to change, so the battle is by no means lost."
"As well as helping to evolve our casino segment, I look forward to promoting the sports betting segment, where the Island's recent move to standardise duties with the UK now enables IOM-based businesses to market into the UK. It remains the case that the IOM's well regulated e-gambling jurisdiction appeals greatly to businesses that need to maintain their international high quality image."
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