TLDR
- The Isle of Man wants to fine individual gambling executives, not just companies, for compliance failures
- The proposed bill would let regulators penalize directors and compliance officers for breaches due to their consent, negligence, or connivance
- New powers would allow the regulator to issue formal directives, suspend operations, or revoke licenses
- The Gambling Supervision Commission recently fined Maverick Games operator Shelgeyr £200,000 for due diligence failures
- Public consultation on the personal accountability measures runs from 23-25 May 2026
The Isle of Man is moving to hold individual gambling executives personally responsible for compliance failures under a proposed amendment to its gambling laws.
The Gambling Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 would give the island’s gambling regulator the power to impose civil penalties directly on directors, compliance officers, and other key personnel.
Currently, only companies face sanctions when breaches occur. The new bill would change that.
Under the proposed rules, individuals could be fined when compliance failures happen under their consent, connivance, or negligence. The move is designed to increase personal accountability across the gambling sector.
The Gambling Supervision Commission has released draft guidance explaining how it would assess individual culpability and calculate fines.
The guidance makes clear that personal sanctions would work alongside company-level penalties, not replace them.
New Regulatory Powers Under the Bill
The bill would also introduce direction-making powers for the regulator. This means the GSC could issue formal written directives to license and certificate holders.
These directives could require operators to provide information, implement corrective measures, suspend operations, or wind down in an orderly fashion if a license is surrendered.
Failing to comply with these directions could lead to serious consequences. Regulators would have the authority to revoke or suspend licenses and certificates.
Criminal penalties are also on the table. Non-compliance could result in up to six months in custody or level-5 fines, with higher penalties possible upon indictment.
The reforms are part of a broader program by the GSC to strengthen entry controls and expand its investigative powers.
The regulator says these changes are needed to keep pace with evolving risks in the gambling sector.
Recent Enforcement Sets the Stage
The proposed legislation comes after a period of active enforcement by the GSC. In February, the regulator imposed a £200,000 fine on Shelgeyr, the operator behind Maverick Games.
That fine was issued over systemic failures in customer due diligence and ongoing account monitoring.
The GSC has also taken action in other recent cases. Celton Manx faced penalties over compliance shortcomings, and Boldwood Software’s owner had its license revoked.
The regulator has pointed out that the Isle of Man’s money laundering risk is currently assessed at a “medium high” level.
A public consultation on the personal accountability measures is scheduled for 23-25 May 2026. Stakeholders in the gambling sector are invited to submit their views during that window.
After the consultation closes, the GSC will review all submissions before finalizing the bill.
The regulator also plans to hold an online question and answer session to help the industry understand how personal accountability measures would work in practice.
