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(AsiaGameHub) – The Isle of Man is proposing changes to its gambling laws that would allow the regulator to issue civil penalties directly to senior executives for compliance failings.
This represents a departure from the existing approach of only penalizing companies.
The measure aims to increase personal responsibility for directors, compliance officers, and other key staff at gambling firms.
The proposed Isle of Man Gambling Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 would give the regulator the power to fine individuals if violations happen with their consent, through their connivance, or due to their negligence.
This step is part of the regulator’s wider programme of reforms designed to tighten entry controls. It would also broaden investigative authority to keep pace with changing risks in the industry.
The bill, guidance and consultation
The Bill introduces new direction-making powers, permitting the gambling regulator to give formal written orders to licence and certificate holders. These directives could require the provision of information, the execution of corrective actions, the suspension or cessation of operations, or an orderly shutdown following licence surrender.
Failing to adhere to these directions could result in serious repercussions. The amendments would permit regulators to revoke or suspend licences and certificates.
Such offences could be punished with up to six months in prison or level-5 fines, with the potential for higher penalties if convicted on indictment.
In addition to the bill, the Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has published draft guidance outlining how it would assess individual responsibility and determine appropriate fines.
The guidance makes clear that sanctions against individuals would be applied in addition to, not as a substitute for, penalties against the company.
The regulator has conducted extensive consultations on its broader legislative reforms and has now launched a specific public consultation concentrating on these personal accountability measures. Gambling industry stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback between 23 and 25 May 2026.
A history of enforcement
The draft legislation comes after recent enforcement actions, including a £200,000 fine the GSC levied against Shelgeyr, the operator of Maverick Games, in February. This penalty was for systemic weaknesses in customer due diligence and continuous account monitoring. The regulator has also acted firmly in other recent instances, such as imposing penalties on Celton Manx for compliance deficiencies and revoking the licence of Boldwood Software’s owner.
The GSC notes that the Isle of Man’s money laundering risk is currently rated as “medium high”.
After the consultation period ends, the Gambling Supervision Commission will consider the feedback received before finalizing the bill.
To help the industry comprehend how personal accountability will work in practice, the regulator also intends to host an online Q&A session to offer more detail on the enforcement of the new measures.
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