Online casinos now look a better bet
Jersey Evening Post
Tuesday 13 June 2006
Jersey is taking a step closer to hosting online casinos by setting up a gambling commission.
Economic Development wants to appoint commissioners to provide advice on changes to gambling laws to allow the Island to enter the multi-million pound international market of online gaming.
If the expected timetable is met, the Island should be hosting online gambling by 2009 that could net millions in taxes and licence fees.
Alderney, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar all host online gaming businesses and Jersey has lost out on potential business by having no regulatory regime in place.
Chris Evans of e-commerce hosting business Foreshore said the new commission will be vital for building on the Island’s success in e-commerce.
’A number of companies from around the world have shown interest in establishing an internet gambling presence in Jersey but have been put off because the necessary strong regulatory framework wasn’t in place. ’This move will show the Island is serious about entering the world gaming market and intends to be a jurisdiction of excellence,’ said Mr Evans.
Assistant Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean said initially a ’shadow’ commission will be appointed because there is not yet legislation for the establishment of a formal body.However, he said the shadow commission will be responsible for drawing up legislation to ensure the Island retains its excellent international reputation as a well regulated jurisdiction.
The Deputy said the commission will also be tasked with ensuring gambling does not becoming a source of crime and disorder and that programmes are introduced to ensure the young and the vulnerable are protected.
’People can already participate in remote gaming at home by using computers, phones, through digital television and so on. There are no guarantees these existing operators are scrupulous. We have an opportunity to establish a regime that will offer protections to players,’ he said.
Deputy Maclean pointed out the States voted in March last year to create a gambling commission as a precursor to online gaming.
’Law drafting time has been allocated for next year and a new law granting specific powers to the commission is likely to come into force in 2008. This will be followed by a new gambling law and until that time the commission will have a purely advisory role,’ he said. Applicants for the role of commissioner will have to be whiter than white. ’They will be expected to demonstrate a high standard of integrity, impartiality, transparency and objectivity,’ said the Deputy.
The commission first job will be to conduct research to identify problem gambling issues before devising programmes to minimise risks. ’Education will be a key element of the programmes,’ said Deputy Maclean,
Economic Development wants to recruit two specialist staff to assist the new commission.
A legal and intelligence manager will oversee background checks and investigate companies licensed in the Island while a technical and compliance manager will work on developing the framework for regulating internet gambling.