Several poker operators are on the brink of relocating to the Isle of Man, following a long-awaited policy change allowing operators to accept US bets.
Costa Rica-based poker operator Poker Stars is believed to be close to finalising its move to the domicile, and reports suggest other firms could be set to follow suit.
Party Poker, the world’s leading poker site, has previously visited the island, and sources close to the matter said continuing concerns about capacity in Gibraltar could force a move.
Well-placed sources have also suggested several US-focused firms are looking into moving to the island from Costa Rica and Kahnawake to pursue IPO plans.
A revision of its egaming legislation in 2003 permitted operators to offer peer-to-peer poker for the first time, but to-date no major poker firm has its base on the island.
With 80% of poker players coming from the US, a move to relocate in the island would previously have been commercial suicide for a poker site.
The domicile’s legislation states operators may accept bets from any country, provided they accept full responsibility for their actions.
But firms based on the domicile had been prevented from taking US bets through an agreement with the licensing authorities.
However, the Council has ruled it will not act to prevent any operators that wish to take bets from US citizens in the future.
But as the decision to permit US bets is a policy change rather than a change in legislation, the decision has immediate ramifications for business on the island.
source : egaming review magazine
