Manx egaming sector forecast to grow 13% in 2013

The Manx eGaming Association (MeGA) has forecast 13% growth in the Isle of Man’s egaming sector this year.

The results of the association’s survey, compiled using responses from companies active on the British Crown Dependency, forecast increases in both employment and income for the year.

In the past 18 months, the number of online licence holders has increased from 39 to 55 and while total employment stood at 775 in 2012, the survey estimates this to increase to 854 in 2013, equivalent to just over 1% of the Isle of Man’s total population.

Increases in employment are expected to drive total expenditure from the £175m recorded in 2012 to approximately £198m, contributing just shy of £18m to the dependency’s income through taxation.

The association does however note that major contributions have been restricted to larger companies that have actual operating facilities and key senior staff on the isle, with strategic decisions undertaken by such companies providing a significant boost in employment.

Increasing technical sophistication within the industry and varying regulatory hurdles imposed by different jurisdictions are cited as hurdles for small and start-up operations, with MeGA chairman John Webster pressing the need to avoid complacency.

“However, the future for e-gaming on the Isle of Man continues to look encouraging, with a good pipeline of new enquiries from companies in both licensable and non-licensable activities and the clear commitment from established entities being demonstrated by their restructuring plans,” he said.

MeGA members include egaming operators such as Paddy Power, Boylesports and Pokerstars.