Jersey government questions viability of online gambling project

To the dismay of digital businesses located there, the Council of Ministers for Jersey, one of the Channel Islands which has diversified its economy by setting up an e-gaming jurisdiction, has embarked on a consultative initiative to determine whether online gaming is a viable way to do so.

ITV reports that there are fears that the island’s e-gambling and e-gaming industry could grind to a halt following the government’s concerns on the project, and companies have warned that if the ministers decide to withdraw their support Jersey’s digital reputation could suffer, and that could also undermine efforts to find new ways to strengthen the island economy.

Jersey’s Gambling Commission has defended the e-gaming project, saying in a statement that there has been a huge amount of interest in using Jersey as a base for regulated e-gaming and e-gambling activity following on from the ICE Totally Gaming show in London earlier this year.

That event was given strong ministerial support in the form of leadership by Senator Philip Ozouf, the Commission notes, adding:

“While it would be inappropriate to prejudge the consultation that closes on Monday, it’s clear to us from the conversations that we have had that there is a significant potential for the sector to grow, and that targeted marketing support and support in terms of allowing a small number of appropriately skilled and qualified individuals to come and work in the sector could create a significant number of jobs for Islanders and would bring investment to Jersey.”

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