ISLE OF MAN LIVE POKER TOURNEYS LAW

Friday, May 4,2012 : ISLE OF MAN LIVE POKER TOURNEYS LAW MOVES CLOSER
 
Bill passes its second reading
 
The exciting prospect of major live poker tournaments on the Isle of Man has become a real possibility following the successful second reading of the Casino (Amendment) Bill 2012 at a session of the island government's Legislative Council this week.
 
Local newspaper IOM Today reports that Eddie Lowey MLC is driving the bill through as a Treasury member, and has commented that the measure creates an opportunity for the island to participate and benefit from an industry that has a ‘proven success record’.
 
"I believe the Isle of Man would be doing a disservice to itself if it didn’t participate and take advantage of its reputation as well regulated in this area, as far as gambling is concerned," Lowey told the newspaper.
 
He was supported by Alex Downie MLC, who said there was a ‘significant benefit’ for the island in allowing live gaming tournaments, with many of the participants involved being ‘high net worth individuals’. Bishop Robert Paterson was also supportive
 
Lowey dismissed David Callister MLC’s doubts on the economic benefits and his claim that the initiative was merely a ‘shot in the dark to see what might happen’.
 
Live tournaments can already take place in the island, but they must be held in the permanent premises of a casino and this naturally limits the size of any event that can be held.
 
The Lowey bill aims to facilitate larger live tournaments by allowing premises other than those belonging to a casino to be temporarily used for the purposes of gambling.
 
Under the proposed legalization, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission will be empowered to grant temporary tournament certificates for suitable premises.