Online Gambling an Important Employer

Tuesday  November 15, 2011 :  Licensing jurisdiction is a source of jobs in va rious sectors of the industry
 
Nearly 700 Isle of Man residents will soon be employed in the e-gaming sector on the Isle of Man, a government minister told the island's parliament last Tuesday.
 
Answering questions in the House of Keys, Economic Development Minister John Shimmin confirmed 645 people currently worked in the sector, with the number set to rise to 693 by the end of December 2011. At the end of October, just under one-in-six, or 111, of those employed in e-Gaming were originally from the European Economic Area and required work permits.
 
Asked by South Douglas MHK Kate Beecroft to provide salary figures for the non-Manx workers, Shimmin revealed that half earned more than GBP 50,000; around 40 percent had salaries between GBP 25,000 and GBP 50,000 and the rest earned under GBP 25,000 per year.
 
9 had a salary under GBP 25,000, 47 a salary between GBP 25,000 and GBP 50,000 and 55 employees earned more than GBP 50,000, he elaborated.
 
The minister said another 57 of those employed in the sector were from outside the EEA and had been granted permission to work under the Overseas Labour Scheme, or the points-based system which replaced it. He said he could not provide salary figures for those workers, but told the Keys the entry criteria required a high level of skills, qualifications and experience, and so salaries were likely to be relatively high.
 
The Isle of Man Treasury is inviting expressions of interest for the appointment of a head of e-gaming development in the Department of Economic Development, with the closing date for applications November 21.