Debates are intensifying on the Isle of Man over updates to gambling legislation.
Members of the House of Keys, the island’s parliament, are currently considering a bill that proposes reforms to the existing gambling regulations, some of which have been in place since 1984.
According to the Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), the primary goal of the Gambling Acts (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2025 is to “strengthen and harmonise” the GSC’s powers within the existing legislative framework.
The bill includes expanding the commission’s authority to conduct inspections and investigations, enhancing oversight of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and tightening fit and proper requirements for market participants operating on the island.
However, House of Keys member for Glenfaba and Peel, Kate Lord-Brennan, warned that the gambling industry’s concerns were ignored and that “harmful over-regulation” could significantly impact the island’s economy.
“We should not impose measures that could seriously harm a sector of our economy,” she said.
Lord-Brennan attempted to halt the bill by referring it to a committee for review with a report due in April, but her efforts were unsuccessful. Ultimately, members voted to move the legislation to the clauses stage, where all proposed amendments will now be considered.
Growing AML Concerns
Across several European jurisdictions, there is a clear trend toward stricter regulatory oversight.
In Gibraltar, policymakers are reviewing the Gibraltar Gambling Bill 2025, aimed at modernising legislation, encouraging innovation, and strengthening market resilience, including tighter licensing requirements.
In both jurisdictions, the new legislation focuses on broader financial controls and measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. In particular, Gibraltar continues to implement the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) following its successful removal from the organisation’s grey list in 2024.
If the bill is approved on the Isle of Man, changes are expected to be implemented by mid-2026 as the jurisdiction prepares for the upcoming MONEYVAL inspection — a ten-year peer-reviewed assessment of its financial controls.
Over the past year, the GSC had to intervene and impose a £3,937,500 ($5.28 million) fine on Celton Manx, the parent company of SBOTOP, for AML failures.
The commission found deficiencies in risk assessments, ongoing customer monitoring, enhanced due diligence, identity verification procedures, and handling of suspicious transactions.
As a result, authorities plan to prevent similar issues ahead of the key MONEYVAL inspection.
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