The Isle of Man is considering changing its gaming laws to allow live gaming tournaments to be held on the island.
The Department of Economic Development has launched a consultation into proposals to amend the Casino Act 1986 and the Gaming Betting and Lotteries Act 1988 to create further economic opportunities.
Typically, such tournaments held elsewhere consist of up to 800 participants but the island’s only casino, the Palace Hotel, lacks the capacity to host such large-scale events. The Department has been in discussions with the Palace Hotel - which is operated by the Sefton Group - regarding the possibility of holding tournaments at other venues licensed on a temporary basis by the Gambling Supervision Commission. One such property is the Villa Marina in Douglas.
“The Department has identified an opportunity to be able to attract live gaming tournaments to the island with all of the associated economic benefits they will bring in terms of increased bed nights, spend in the local economy and increased passenger numbers on aircraft serving the island,” said Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin. “At the present time the law restricts which venues can be used for such events. The proposed Casino (Amendment) Bill will give the Gambling Supervision Commission the powers to be able to grant temporary licences for these events at a wider range of possible venues.”
The Isle of Man recently put a second casino licence out to tender, attracting interest from hundreds of potential investors and developers.
