Regulatory Authority on the Isle of Man Addresses Allegations of Lack of Vigilance from the United Nations
Isle of Man's Gambling Supervision Commission Refutes UN Report Claims
The Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) of the Isle of Man has firmly denied allegations of laxity in its licensing practices, following the release of a United Nations (UN) report. Despite the UN report's claims, the GSC maintains that its regulatory system aligns with international standards and is vigilant in countering money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Mark Rutherford, the deputy chief executive of the GSC, expressed disappointment at the UN report's findings. He emphasized that the GSC's regulatory team is underpinned by experienced staff that carefully assesses foreign operators' license applications. Rutherford reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards financial crime within the GSC.
In a proactive move, the GSC's members are actively engaging in industry forums to learn about new money laundering approaches and counter them. Moreover, the GSC closely follows market developments and promises to maintain the highest possible standards.
Recent actions by the GSC include the suspension of King Gaming following detected irregularities and the intervention to stop approximately 2,972 underage players from gambling. The GSC also monitors typologies that arise in other countries and screens its licensees for those typologies.
The GSC has the regulatory powers needed to counteract online fraud, and the team is vigilantly monitoring existing licenses for possible violations, responding to threats when needed. Rutherford acknowledged that AML monitoring is a constant process due to criminals always devising new ways to commit fraud.
The Isle of Man government conducts its regulatory supervisory activities against stringent requirements outlined in the Gambling AML/CFT Code 2019. This demonstrates ongoing efforts to maintain compliance and effective oversight. A July 2025 standalone Isle of Man National Risk Assessment on terrorist financing highlighted that more focus and action were necessary to strengthen controls, signaling awareness and responsiveness towards potential vulnerabilities in financial areas, including gambling.
Prior to the UN report, the GSC received high praise from Moneyval, which gave the GSC a high AML and CFT score, acknowledging its robust regulatory capabilities. This contradicts the UN report's claims and suggests that the GSC's controls may be insufficient.
In summary, while there is recognition of medium-low risk and specific risk elevations tied to online gambling activities, no direct UN allegations of lax licensing are documented here, and the Isle of Man appears to be actively monitoring and strengthening its regulatory controls accordingly. The GSC remains committed to ensuring its licensing system is unaffected by criminal influence.
The Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) of the Isle of Man, despite facing criticism from a United Nations (UN) report, continues to emphasize its adherence to international standards in casino-and-gambling regulation. The GSC, in an effort to promote responsible-gambling and counter crime-and-justice issues, participates actively in industry forums and closely monitors the activities of its licensees, including casino-games providers.
