The Gibraltar Gaming Commission has received a number of enquiries from the gambling sector amidst the publication of its new Gambling Bill. The country’s Gambling Commissioner, Andrew Lyman, revealed that the bill is progressing as it edges towards Parliamentary debate.
Providing an update on LinkedIn, Lyman revealed that following the debate in Parliament, the government is planning on issuing administrative guidelines and draft codes. He did, however, highlight the importance of section 19 within the bill, which defines the scope of B2B activity in the market.
Lyman stated: “S19 defines ‘providing facilities for gambling’ and this now extends to management control in or from Gibraltar. This may capture certain multi-jurisdictional models that were previously not in scope.
“S19 also extends the scope of what constitutes B2B activity both in or from Gibraltar, but also what constitutes licensable supply chain business to Gibraltar licensed operators. So, CRM support in or from Gibraltar to an operation outside the jurisdiction may be licensable B2B activity or, if the external business is managed or controlled from Gibraltar, it may even be B2C activity.
“Whilst existing licensees will be “grandfathered” into the new regime, those businesses will need to look to see if any other functionality conducted in or from Gibraltar falls within scope.
“Gambling marketing companies in Gibraltar will also need to start a dialogue, ideally having taken advice, with the Gibraltar Gambling Division regarding the licensing process, as the grant of marketing licenses is on a prima facie restrictive basis and at the discretion of the Licensing Authority.
“Gibraltar is host to a number of multi-jurisdictional business models and also acts as a service centre. We will take a pragmatic approach and will be supportive of any business that does not pose a risk to the reputation of the jurisdiction.”
The changes to the framework come amidst a wider effort for Gibraltar to eradicate financial crime from the market.
Earlier in the year, Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit (GFIU) confirmed a collaboration with the regional INTERPOL sub-bureau, which boosted the sector through the utilisation of INTERPOL’s Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism.
The unit swiftly identifies, freezes, and recovers illicit funds before criminals can move them beyond reach.
The Commissioner of Police, Richard Ullger, commented: “Financial crime is a growing threat, often involving international networks that seek to exploit legal and jurisdictional gaps. By joining forces with INTERPOL and integrating I-GRIP into our enforcement strategy, we are reinforcing our ability to disrupt criminal activities, giving our officers at the Economic Crime Unit another tool at their disposal.”
As a result of I-GRIP, the GFIU will be empowered to take immediate action on suspicious transactions in coordination with INTERPOL and international law enforcement agencies.
Director of the GFIU, Edgar Lopez, stated: “This collaboration with INTERPOL represents another step forward in our ability to combat economic crime. The ability to act swiftly is critical in preventing illicit funds from being moved beyond reach.
“By combining I-GRIP and our suspension order powers, we are strengthening our financial defences, ensuring that criminals cannot profit from their activities. More importantly, we are enhancing support for victims by improving the chances of asset recovery.”
Subsequently, Gibraltar was removed from the European Parliament’s AML grey list, following a vote by the group.
Previous efforts to remove Gibraltar from the list had been met with friction from a section of Spanish MEPs.
However, in the latest round of removals from the list, Gibraltar has joined the United Arab Emirates in being removed from the list.
The Minister for Trade, Justice and Industry, Nigel Feetham, praised the decision: “This is testament to the work undertaken by my Ministry to bring Gibraltar to the vanguard of the fight against money laundering and counterterrorist financing, and Gibraltar’s reputation as a world-leading financial centre has been rightfully restored.
“It is clear too that our engagement with partners in Brussels, both with the European Commission and the European Parliament, has worked to produce the result that we have worked so hard to obtain.”
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Telegram channel!
