Playtech applies for Jersey remote gambling licence

Following months of negotiations, online gaming software developer and supplier Playtech Limited has announced that it has become the first to apply for a remote gambling licence from the Jersey Gambling Commission.

The island’s Jersey Enterprise business support and advice service stated that the application was a ‘significant step forward’ in the British Crown dependency’s iGaming strategy and came after ‘many months of talks’ between itself, the Jersey Gambling Commission and Playtech.

“We are delighted to be seeking an operating licence in Jersey,” said Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Officer for Playtech.

“We met last year with the Jersey authorities in Israel who convinced us of the merits of the new licensing regime and their commitment to the sector. With many of our existing licensees having operations in the Channel Islands it makes good sense for us to seek a licence in Jersey to support our customers from a regulated jurisdiction with a first-class infrastructure.”

Jersey’s Assembly of the States ratified legislation in February establishing the Jersey Gambling Commission in hopes of cashing in on the iGaming sector in much the same way as the neighbouring Channel Island of Guernsey, which includes the small island of Alderney, and its Alderney Gambling Control Commission have done.

“I see this licence application from a market leader like Playtech as a stamp of approval for Jersey’s new iGaming industry,” said Alan Maclean, Economic Development Minister for Jersey.

“It demonstrates how we can leverage Jersey’s long-standing reputation for excellent regulation, infrastructure and world-class professional services by developing exciting new opportunities for our economy from the lucrative global iGaming market.”

Jersey Enterprise stated that the Jersey Gambling Commission and Playtech are working together to ensure that ‘all relevant compliance and due diligence provisions’ of the Remote Gambling (Jersey) Regulations 2008 are met.