Celton Manx, the license holding entity for SBObet and various of its online presences, has surrendered its Isle of Man online gambling license.
The move took place on the 9th of May and the company is no longer listed in the register of licensees maintained by the island’s regulator, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC). Instead, its name is now placed on the register of previous licensees also maintained by the GSC. No official reason or statement has been given by Celton Manx or the GSC yet. The company’s LinkedIn profile still indicates it as being registered on the island.
The prominent firm is the latest big name to hand back its Isle of Man license in a recent seismic shift for the industry on the small British Crown Dependency. Not too long ago, 188BET, another Asian gaming giant that had called the Isle of Man home for many years, also surrendered its license and moved operations back to Asia. 188BET has since acquired an Anjouan license to replace its Isle of Man one but there is no confirmed information at this time if Celton Manx – the name behind SBObet, SBOtop and others – will do the same.
At the time of publication, the websites previously listed under the company’s OGRA Network License, including SBObet.com, SBOtop.com, SBObeteu.com and others, are no longer showing the Isle of Man gambling license seal, a legal requirement for companies licensed on the island. In fact, the sites do not appear to show any gambling licensing information, a point that may prove controversial as most online entities tied to the firm are still listing it as principal partner of Fulham Football Club.
SBObet was one of the early online gambling licensing pioneers on the Isle of Man and its operating company, Celton Manx, has been an active supporter of many charitable organizations and community events over the years.
It is uncertain at this time if the company is planning to leave the island entirely or will remain based in the jurisdiction, where it owns its own office building on the outskirts of Douglas, the capital city of the Isle of Man.
Celton Manx did also operate a live casino facility from its headquarter, but it is understood that this may have been closed some time ago due to staffing issues.
The move will come as a further shock to an island that has seen its eGaming industry, an important sector responsible for around a quarter of its economy, being rocked by negative headlines in recent times. The biggest story was no doubt the King Gaming scandal, but since then, numerous additional criminal investigations, police raids, and enforcement actions by the gambling regulator have taken place. All of this marks a significant change in the island’s attitude towards online gambling and companies from Asia in particular. How the license surrender of this latest big name will affect the island and its reputation in the industry remains to be seen.
