18 November 2015
The Government of Jersey recently consulted the Island’s regulatory and industry bodies on the potential opportunities and risks of Jersey developing an e-Gaming and e-Gambling industry in the Island. The consultation was part of an ongoing evaluation of business initiatives and risk awareness in Jersey.
The consultation stated that it was imperative that Jersey defines and adopts an e-Gaming and e-Gambling policy that can maximise the benefit of an innovative digital and technology sector for Jersey while, at the same time, taking appropriate steps to protect the Island’s international reputation. Developing an innovative digital and technology sector for Jersey was set as a strategic priority at the beginning of this Government’s term of office. Ministers with responsibility for the economy have considered the responses to the consultation, and their recommendations have been presented to and adopted by the Council of Ministers.
The conclusions reached from the consultation were as follows
- reputational risks for Jersey exist in the e-Gaming and e-Gambling sector but evidence demonstrates that those risks can be effectively mitigated by robust and effective regulation
- greater consideration needs to be given to how Jersey can access an already well-established industry and market itself to the outside world in order to benefit from this area of the economy
- Jersey should explore alternative opportunities for robust and effective regulation for the eGaming sector. In doing so Government should consult with relevant bodies
- Jersey should also explore opportunities to increase the effectiveness of marketing and promotion of the sector
As a result of the consultation, the Council of Ministers has provisionally determined that a permissive e-Gaming and e-Gambling regime should continue, but that discussions should be undertaken with industry and all relevant Government and regulatory bodies with a view to determining the most robust and effective regulatory regime for e-Gaming and e-Gambling business in Jersey.
The Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, said “The consultation process carried out over the summer by the Government was part of the ongoing evaluation of business initiatives and risk awareness that Jersey carries out. I can announce today that the consultation has resulted in the continuation of a permissive regime for eGaming in Jersey. In addition, the Council of Ministers has instructed officials to begin broad-based discussions with industry and relevant regulatory bodies with a view to ensuring that Jersey has the highest regulatory standards for e-Gaming and e-Gambling.”
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