PlaySmart receives Isle of Man gambling licence
The approval will allow PlaySmart to expand into B2C gambling services.
UK.- The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has approved a licence for online gaming operator PlaySmart. The licence allows the company to operate business-to-consumer (B2C) gambling offerings under the island’s regulatory framework.
PlaySmart is part of PlayGaming Group, which provides platform solutions for the gaming industry. The Isle of Man licence forms part of a strategic expansion into the B2C market, enabling it to directly offer services to players. The company said it will now focus on scaling its B2C proposition.
Support for the application came from the local igaming consultancy SolutionsHub.
Nikola Trajkov, chief executive of PlaySmart, said: “Securing an Isle of Man licence represents a major step forward for PlaySmart. As we expand into the B2C space, it was important for us to align with a jurisdiction known for its regulatory integrity and long-term stability.”
Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive at Digital Isle of Man, added: “We are pleased to welcome PlaySmart to the Isle of Man’s iGaming sector. The Island continues to attract forward-thinking businesses that value strong regulation, long-term stability and a collaborative ecosystem. PlaySmart’s move into B2C reflects the confidence that technology-led operators place in the Island’s regulatory framework as a foundation for sustainable growth.”
New Isle of Man gambling legislation
The lower branch of the Tynwald, the island’s parliament, recently approved a major reform of the Isle of Man’s gambling laws, endorsing changes to the Gambling Legislation (Amendment) Bill put forward by the Legislative Council. The move advances the bill for royal assent, which is expected this summer.
The legislative overhaul is intended to strengthen statutory rules governing employment and economic activity in the gambling sector. Key provisions include a new “fitness and propriety” requirement for people involved in gambling operations, alongside the creation of a civil penalty system to address regulatory breaches.
The fitness and propriety test will add competency and financial checks to the existing character-based assessments for operators. Meanwhile, the penalty framework gives regulators the authority to impose fines where violations occur through consent, negligence, or connivance.
To guide implementation, the GSC has launched two public consultations, open until Monday May 25, seeking feedback on both the new standards and the penalty regime. These consultations build on stakeholder engagement carried out during 2024.
