Isle of Man Gets Online Gaming Ambassador
17 September 2003
ISLE OF MAN – As reported by the Isle of Man Online: "Undeterred by the departure of all five Island-based online casinos, the Department of Trade and Industry has appointed an 'e-gaming ambassador' who is confident some of the gambling giants can be persuaded to return.
"'This industry is still at a formative stage, it will continue to change and so the battle is by no means lost,' said John Gilmore, who has more 30 years experience in the land-based gaming industry worldwide. For the past two years he was Island director for Rank Interactive Gaming.
"Rank was one of the companies that pulled the plug on its Island operation. The others were: MGM Mirage, Action Online, Sun International and Littlewoods. The Island's regulatory standards were cited for the shutdowns.
"Mr Gilmore accepted that to reverse the trend in the casino side involve regulatory change.
"…Chris Corlett, chief executive of the Department of Trade and Industry, is hopeful changes to the regulations can be made this year
"…Mr Gilmore conceded that the UK's plans to liberalise gambling laws could undermine the Island's efforts.
"… Mr Gilmore has been tasked with working closely with all interested parties — public and private — to promote and advise on the development of the Island as a centre for e-gaming.
"He will also be focusing on attracting online sportsbetting operations such as Douglas-based betinternet. DHA recently issued sportsbetting licences to PaddyPower and the Chronicle, Ireland's two big bookmaking firms…"