Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located off of Spain’s Southern coast. The territory has now decided to appoint a new head of their government’s Gambling Division.
Gibraltar offered William Hill’s former director of regulatory affairs the new role. Mr. Andrew Lyman will soon be acting as the head of Gibraltar’s Gambling Division.
Financial Services and Gaming The following section provides useful information regarding financial services, such as the Gibraltar Finance Centre - tasked with the promotion of Gibraltar as a domicile of choice for international financial services.
Mr. Lyman will be operating within his new position in January of 2018. He is succeeding Mr. Phil Brear who held the role for nearly an entire decade. Mr. Brear isn’t leaving though; he is only stepping down into an advisory role within the Gambling Division.
It is a full member of the European Union and retains complete independence from the U.K. In matters of taxation. Gibraltar has become known as an online gambling center. As of September 2013, Gibraltar was hosting more than 25 online betting and gaming firms employing approximately 2,000 people. Financial Services and Gaming. The following section provides useful information regarding financial services, such as the Gibraltar Finance Centre - tasked with the promotion of Gibraltar as a domicile of choice for international financial services.
Andrew Lyman worked with William Hill for many years. For the past eight years, he worked as head of public affairs as well as director of group regulatory affairs. Previously, Lyman was the Association of British Bookmakers’ Chief Executive Officer. He also worked with the UK Gambling Commission as director of monitoring and enforcement. He also spent time as an enforcement lawyer and investigator at Financial Services Authority, in addition to serving as a tax investigations manager at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
The Minister with responsibility for Gambling, Mr. Albert Isola commented on Lyman’s appointment saying, “Andrew is very well known in the industry, here in the UK and further afield, as an authoritative voice on policy, regulation, public affairs and the operation and development of all aspects of remote and non-remote gambling. His experience with HMRC, the FSA, the Gambling Commission, William Hill and more widely with industry bodies made him an outstanding candidate in the selection process, and we are delighted he is joining us in Gibraltar.”
Lyman was hired to create the plans for new regulatory and policies that he will then introduce to Gibraltar sometime in 2018. He will be using a review of the 2016 Gibraltar Gambling Act to guide his new proposals.
Mr. Isola commented further saying, “Andrew will now be driving the excellent work of the Gambling Division and enhancing that process. The government recognises that this area needs more resources and support and we are very fortunate to have Andrew joining us. I am pleased that we will continue to have the experience, knowledge, and support of Phil Brear in his new position supporting Andrew and Government in this area. Gibraltar remains committed to supporting the gaming community and to providing the very best in remote and all other gambling services, safely and securely, and Andrew's appointment reflects this commitment and determination to remain best in class.”
It’s the Gibraltar Licensing Authority which actually issues licenses to online gambling operators, and they are responsible for investigating the eligibility and suitability of applicants. They make it clear that there are very strict requirements to obtain a license.
Gambling Division Of The Government Of Gibraltar State
Operators must have a proven track record in gambling and be of good financial standing with a realistic business plan. There are a total of seven different types of license that the Licensing Authority can issue, as follows:
- A bookmaker’s license
- A betting intermediary’s license
- A gaming operator’s license
- A gaming machine license
- A lottery promoter’s license
- A pools promoter’s license
- A remote gambling license
The Gambling Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that license holders conduct their operations in accordance with the required conditions. All licensees must agree to be bound by the code of practice issued by The Gambling Commissioner.
They must further agree that their operations shall be effectively controlled and managed from Gibraltar, providing lists of key personnel if so requested.
Licensees are also required to adhere to certain advertising guidelines and employ sufficient data protection procedures.
Gambling Division Of The Government Of Gibraltar California
Government Of Gibraltar Website
They must also produce audited accounts and provide them to the Licensing Authority on an annual basis. Licenses issued can be revoked or suspended at any time if deemed necessary.