Mark Rutherford, acting chief of the Isle of Man’s Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), has addressed the UN’s mounting concerns about the island’s gambling regulations.
A recent UN report suggested that “relaxed” licensing practices may have enabled Asian crime syndicates to exploit the jurisdiction for cyberfraud. Rutherford, disappointed by these claims, defended the GSC’s regulatory framework, emphasizing that it complies with international standards.
In his statements, Rutherford underscored the GSC’s commitment to combating financial crime. “We are not complacent,” he told local media, explaining that the agency has intensified its anti-money laundering (AML) processes and enhanced its supervisory division with skilled personnel. The agency, he noted, conducts thorough entry assessments for all license applications and closely monitors licensees for any new criminal typologies – a practice that allows them to respond to threats as they evolve.
Reflecting on April’s suspension and revocation of King Gaming’s license after alleged irregularities, Rutherford assured that this incident had not led to a broader decline in license applications. However, it did underscore the importance of staying vigilant. He told local media that “Criminals will continually develop new ways to launder money. Our priority is to ensure that these typologies are detected and stopped.”
The GSC’s record on AML practices has been rated highly, with the international body Moneyval giving the agency top marks for its AML and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) measures in a 2016 review. Yet the UN report’s assertions led Rutherford to emphasize the GSC’s recent actions to tighten oversight, particularly through a new dedicated AML division, responsible for enforcing these measures.
In response to broader industry skepticism, Rutherford described the GSC’s engagement in “off and on-island forums” to stay informed about new criminal trends and prevent misuse of its licenses. “The GSC is committed to protecting its reputation and preventing financial crime. We monitor global threats to uphold our standards and reputation, which have been earned over many years,” noted the official.
The agency’s zero-tolerance policy on financial crime remains unwavering, with new protocols underway to strengthen the GSC’s licensing processes and adapt to emerging typologies. Rutherford noted: “We are committed to keeping our licensing system free from criminal influence. Plans are in place to identify and eliminate any misuse, and we will seek additional regulatory powers as needed.”
With his assurances, Rutherford aimed to reestablish confidence in the Isle of Man’s regulatory rigor while affirming the island’s commitment to keeping its licensees compliant, transparent, and aligned with international standards.
