The Isle of Man gambling license has consistently demonstrated its reliability and trustworthiness over the years. This jurisdiction is recognized as one of the leading ones in the world. Known for its beneficial tax system, strict regulations, comfortable location, and support for virtual currencies usage, the Isle of Man keeps gaining popularity among iGaming operators.
Benefits of obtaining a gambling license in the Isle of Man
The special feature of the Isle of Man jurisdiction is that it is under the control of Great Britain. Even though it can develop its own regulations, the British Crown makes sure the Isle of Man is not being blacklisted. It is a highly respected jurisdiction, being the pioneer of online gaming control. Let’s get down to the advantages of obtaining the gambling license Isle of Man provides:
- Low taxation. The huge benefit is that this regulator can offer its own taxation, which is more advantageous than that of Great Britain. The Gambling Duty is 0,1-1,5%. The corporation tax is also low. There is zero Capital Gains and VAT tax.
- High player protection. The undeniably great reputation of the jurisdiction is one of the reasons why customers trust it so much.
- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development whitelist. Being a highly respected participant of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Isle of Man has successfully proven its reliability.
- Fast obtaining period and 5 years of validity. It takes only three months to get the Isle of Man casino license if everything goes smoothly.
- Professional local gambling workforce. The Isle of Man gaming sector workers are fluent in English, have specialized knowledge, and high experience in the industry.
- A possibility of getting sub-licenses. An operator is able to receive a special sub-license if needed.
- Flexibility of gambling legislation. The jurisdiction is very loyal and innovation-friendly.
These are just a few main advantages of the Isle of Man jurisdiction. If you are ready to get a gambling license, choosing the right option is important. Please contact the LicensingAid professional team for more information about the license type suitable for you. Let’s proceed to the available permits.
Isle of Man gambling license types
Depending on your company’s business model, there are a few licensing options available for you to apply for. The 2001 Online Gambling Regulation Act is a baseline for a review process. The legislation body responsible for getting the IOM gaming license is the Gambling Supervision Commission. Here are the license types it issues:
- Full license. This is a one-size-fits-all kind of gambling permit. It covers both B2B and B2C companies’ needs. Besides, it allows providing many kinds of gaming activity at the platform, from online casino, sports betting, poker, to games of chance and more.
- Network license. This permit type allows operators not only to accept customers in a direct way, but also helps to provide services to those from global partners, no matter where the gamblers are registered. This possibility allows operators to build a player network between multiple countries.
- Sub-license. An operator possessing the full license can give smaller companies sub-licenses for particular games. Limited activities are allowed by this license type only.
- Blockchain Software Supplier License. This license covers crypto casinos and other gambling activities with virtual currencies. To offer products and games related to bitcoin users, apply for this permit.
- Software Supplier License. The permit is suitable for B2B companies offering their services to online casinos. It allows businesses to create, test, and supply backend solutions, online games, and platforms to the operators working under the Isle of Man iGaming license.
No matter if you are a startup or an established company, the Isle of Man jurisdiction has solutions for every company structure. LicensingAid experts will unveil the costs and requirements further.
The Isle of Man gambling license cost
The license fees depend on your company type and needs. Let’s compare the costs of each licensing type:
| License type | Application fee | Annual fee |
| Full license | £5,250 | £36,750 |
| Network license | £5,250 | £52,500 |
| Sub-license | £5,250 | £5,250 |
| Blockchain software supplier license | £5,250 | £52,500 |
| Software supplier license | £5,250 | £36,750 |
The Isle of Man gambling license fees 2025 may be changed due to new regulations. Please check the current price on the jurisdiction website when needed.
New regulatory updates
The Isle of Man jurisdiction is widely known for being an innovative regulator, always open to new ideas and technologies. The latest updates are:
- In 2017, the Isle of Man introduced regulations that welcomed the deposits and withdrawals in bitcoins and other virtual currencies.
- Added a special Software Supplier License, which covered blockchain technology.
- In April 2025, the regulator issued guidelines for managing cryptocurrencies. The jurisdiction brought coins under the Proceeds of Crime Act and the AML regulations.
- Started the Digital Accelerator Programme, created for innovation-friendly companies, and providing them support via regulations and favourable conditions.
- The first lottery powered by Ethereum was licensed.
The updates have been constantly made, but the key factor is the regulator’s flexibility and friendliness to operators. The ecosystem built by the Isle of Man jurisdiction creates a great business-friendly environment.
The requirements for holders of a gambling license in the Isle of Man
Generally, there are a few essential requirements for receiving the Isle of Man iGaming license. These include the following:
- Demonstrate leadership and competence.
- Your company should be share-limited and capable of conducting offline and online business activities.
- The certified RNGs and game servers should be physically located in the Isle of Man jurisdiction. There are six options of high-class data centers on the island to pick from.
- Prove the financial capability for performing the gambling business.
- Make sure you maintain your customers’ security in compliance with international rules and protect their data with advanced encryption.
- Develop the AML and KYC policies with translation to multiple languages to upload to your website.
These are basic points to be attentive to when dealing with the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. We share more information about license application preparation below.
How to get Isle of Man gaming license: Main steps
The better prepared your company is, the smoother the review process will be. Please, follow our experts’ guidelines to obtain gaming license Isle of Man provides. Let’s discuss it step-by-step.
Start a company in the Isle of Man
Incorporate your business as the first step. Set up a company in the Isle of Man jurisdiction. LicensingAid professionals can assist you with business registration.
Open a bank account
Start an Isle of Man bank account. Choose the bank that suits your company’s needs best. Collect all the necessary documents to prove your reliability.
Hire the local directors
Due to the Isle of Man laws, you need to hire a local workforce. You need to make offers to directors and the Operations Manager (or Designated Official). There should be at least 2 local directors hired.
Collect documents
There is a particular document list to prepare to apply for a license. This list includes such paperwork as a business plan, a marketing plan, the ID copies of the key figures, the proof of no criminal record, the RNG certificate, financial statements, the provided gaming activities description and technical documentation, and the AML and KYC policies.
Submit an application
Fill in and download the GSC application forms. Attach the collected documents. Pay the necessary fee depending on the license type chosen.
Wait for the final decision
The GSC will conduct obligatory background checks of leading figures and shareholders. The regulator may also request additional documents and personal meetings if required. After the GSC hearing, the decision will be taken. You will pay the license fee after approval and will be able to perform business under the Isle of Man gaming license. Besides, regular reports and license renewal will be necessary in the future.
Post-licensing maintenance
Obtaining a license is step one. After starting work under the Isle of Man permit, you must follow the rules and regulations. The iGaming services Isle of Man provides are of a high class, and you can get assistance with the following:
- Regular compliance checks. The Gambling Supervision Commission regulations are constantly updated. Make sure you follow them. Monitor compliance of reports and audits with the service providers’ consultation.
- Banking advisory. You can receive assistance in the proper cooperation with banks.
- Legal support. A company operating under the Isle of Man online gambling license can get consultation from specialists when it comes to any kind of related documentation and data security.
- Software checks. If new gaming activities are to be launched or there are certain updates that need to be incorporated into your gambling platform, experts will assist you with audits and recommend trusted labs.
- Accounting advisory. There are professionals that can help you with accounting, tax management, and other financial consulting.
- Your platform advertising. The promotion plays an important role in your business growth. So local representatives can assist you in marketing plans and campaign planning.
As you can see from the information mentioned above, the jurisdiction of the Isle of Man is aimed at building an innovative and supportive gambling-friendly community, and such values keep bringing more and more casino owners to this regulator.
The Isle of Man dispute resolution
Player protection is an important value for the Isle of Man regulator. The complaints of the gamblers are handled according to fair play rules and high safety standards. The Gambling Supervision Commission provides a very clear process for the complaints submission:
- The first step for the player is to submit a complaint directly to the operator’s support.
- The next step (in case the first step was not successful) is submitting a complaint to the jurisdiction’s official website or emailing them.
- The GSC takes each case seriously and spends some time figuring out the situation.
- Both the operator and the gambler get informed about the process and the final solution.
The GSC works carefully with the players’ rights, so it is recommended that the operator prevent complaints by meeting high standards of customer protection. The AML and fair play policies should be met, and the gamblers’ funds should be separated from those of the business.
Conclusion
The Isle of Man license is one of the best options in the gambling market. Popularity is easily explained by the brilliant reputation, high standards, business-friendly ecosystem and openness to innovations. If your company is going to start a gaming business and open an online casino under the Isle of Man jurisdiction, the LicensingAid team assists gambling businesses at each step of business performance, from starting a company to trademark registration, opening bank accounts, obtaining a license, and design consulting. We create tailor-made solutions depending on the business type and goals, and help you to avoid problems with documents and additional checks in the future. Contact our specialists to schedule a consultation.
FAQ
What should I do to get an online gambling license in the Isle of Man?
First of all, you should incorporate a business in the Isle of Man by starting a company there and hiring two local directors, a Designated Official, and an Operations Manager. Your company must go through strict checks and meet all the AML and KYC requirements, open a bank account, etc.
Is gambling officially allowed in the Isle of Man?
Yes, Isle of Man online gambling is legal. The main thing is to work in compliance with international and local legislation. It goes without saying that operators should obligatorily perform business under the gambling license.
What kinds of gaming activities are covered by the Isle of Man gambling license?
Basically, the IOM gambling license covers the whole vertical of gaming activities, like sports betting, lotto, live dealer games, poker, online casino, games of chance of all kinds, bingo, mahjong, etc. Make sure you pick the license type right.
Can I hire directors from outside the Isle of Man?
You must hire at least two local directors and a Designated Official (or Operations Manager) due to the Isle of Man requirements. This is applicable to every operator working under the gaming license. Any other directors can be from different countries.
How long does the application process take?
Taking into account all steps of the procedure, get ready to spend around 12-16 weeks getting licensed. This period can differ in case of additional checks needed. It also depends on the company’s readiness, so the help of the specialists may save you a lot of time.
What locations can I operate in with the Isle of Man gambling license?
Even though there are no exact forbidden countries for working under the Isle of Man gaming license, an operator should strictly avoid countries where gambling is recognized as an illegal activity. Managing gambling is also banned in the countries that require a local license for it.
Is it necessary to go to the Isle of Man to get a license?
You must not obligatorily be present there to apply for a gambling license in the Isle of Man. The whole procedure is available online. Nevertheless, the regulator may ask you to come to a personal meeting during the application review process if required.
