The Isle of Man’s parliament has moved a wide-ranging gambling reform bill to its next stage, advancing proposals that would expand regulatory powers while sparking debate over whether the changes go too far for a jurisdiction built on remote-gaming business.
The House of Keys progressed the Gambling Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025, steered by Dr Alex Allinson, MHK, after members voted 13–7 against sending the bill away for a slower committee review. The legislation now heads into clause stage, where sections can be amended line by line.
Supporters say the bill modernises a framework that, in parts, dates back decades and gives the Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) clearer, stronger tools to supervise both land-based and online activity. The package includes broader investigatory and inspection powers, the ability to compel information, and mechanisms tied to court authorisation such as warrants and, in specific circumstances, asset seizure. It also strengthens the enforceability of regulator “directions,” with non-compliance potentially triggering offences or licence action.
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Critics, however, argue the island risks creating “harmful” friction for compliant operators. Kate Lord-Brennan, MHK, cautioned that industry concerns were not sufficiently heard and warned that extra powers—if not tightly scoped—could become a form of over-regulation that undermines competitiveness and jobs.
Government voices counter that delaying reform carries its own risk: a softer toolkit can leave gaps for bad actors and weaken confidence in the Isle of Man’s controls at a time when international scrutiny of AML and enforcement standards remains intense. The bill’s next phases will determine whether lawmakers can strike a balance—tougher oversight without turning the island’s regulated model into a drag on legitimate investment.
