Gi-Esummit-Report-2013.Pdf
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Kindly sponsored by 1 Introduction In just 16 years Gibraltar has drawn Gaming, Telecommunications and Sue Rossiter and the Remote upon its reputation as a well Justice kindly opened the Summit with Gambling Association’s Simon Trussler regulated and tax competitive a welcome address, which outlined also provided a fascinating commercial environment to create Gibraltar’s commitment to ensuring presentation on the potential pitfalls to an archetypal on-shore licensing the safety, transparency and both governments and operators jurisdiction for its eGaming responsiveness of the jurisdiction in arising from implementing a new tax community. the face of challenging times for this structure for online gaming. The dynamic industry. Following a Summit closed with a ‘heavyweight’ By placing a continuing emphasis upon regulatory update by Gibraltar’s Head final panel session, moderated by licensing only the best, most of Gambling Regulation, Phill Brear, the Peter Montegriffo of Hassans, on the committed and most consumer morning’s sessions then continued to outlook for eGaming. conscious operators, Gibraltar is now focus upon legislative and licensing home to 25 internationally renowned issues, with a particular focus upon the This report seeks to summarise the remote gaming companies. Today, they likely impact of social gaming. day’s events with a view to capturing account for more than 20 per cent of Highlights included an international the expertise and enthusiasm present its GDP and represent almost 60 per delegation of representatives from throughout the 2013 Summit. KPMG cent of the UK’s remote gambling DLA Piper as well as a spirited address would like to take this opportunity to presence in Europe, with more to by Kevin de Haan QC on the prospect once again thank the speakers and come. of a cohesive pan-European regulatory delegates who attended, all of whom regime. KPMG’s Archie Watt then contributed to its great success. We On the 11th April, 2013 at the Caleta opened the afternoon session with an look forward to seeing you all next Hotel, the third KPMG eGaming address which commended the year. Summit drew upon Gibraltar’s renown solidarity of the domestic eGaming as a centre of global eGaming by once sector in preparing for the challenges KPMG employs a number of eGaming again providing a forum within which that lay ahead. Mr Watt then industry specialists both in Gibraltar key stakeholders could gather together introduced the afternoon session as and globally and is committed to to discuss the present and future focusing predominantly upon issues cutting through the complexity of this status of the sector. pertinent to the wider eGaming constantly evolving industry. industry, including payment solutions, The Hon. Gilbert Licudi QC, Minister economic development, and the 4th for Education, Financial Services, Money Laundering Directive. KPMG’s A word from the Sponsor Uniquely housed 500 metres within the Rock of Gibraltar itself, our Gibraltar Data Centre reflects what we believe is the sense of security, permanence and innovation pervasive throughout Gibraltar’s entire eGaming sector. The jurisdiction plays a significant part in our Global Private Network and represents a compelling choice for to remaining at the forefront of this companies wishing to become part of exciting and dynamic industry. one of the world’s most sophisticated and socially engaged eGaming Continent 8 was proud to be a part of communities. the day’s events and we look forward to next year’s KPMG eGaming Summit Continent 8 Technologies provides in Gibraltar. award winning co-location, networking, cyber security and managed services Richard Ebbutt to the online gaming industry. Our Continent 8 Technologies sponsorship reflects our commitment 2 Conference Opening The Hon Gilbert Licudi QC Minister Gibraltar Government The Hon Gilbert Licudi QC The Hon Gilbert Licudi QC is regulatory standards that it enjoys as a Minister Licudi continued, “and I’ve Gibraltar’s Minister for Education, licensing jurisdiction. He always said that, despite our position, Financial Services, Gaming, acknowledged the work and success there is never any room for Telecommunications and Justice. He of Gambling Commissioner Phill Brear complacency. There is no question, welcomed delegates and provided a and his team of regulators for the therefore, of Gibraltar ever being able quick summary of the importance of relationship and the rapport they have to say ‘we’ve done it, we achieved our the eGaming sector. built up with the industry, and the place at the head table of global efforts made in striking the difficult eGaming’. You don’t need me to tell In the midst of challenging times for balance between protecting the you that in this industry, no-one in the licensees and in response to which interests of customers and allowing private sector, and certainly no Gibraltar (under the auspices of its operators to go about their business. Government, can ever relax.” Betting and Gaming Association) intends to mount a challenge to the Drawing upon comments made during Minister Licudi explained that UK’s proposed point of consumption his opening address at the 2012 KPMG challenges to the industry are ever tax under EU Law, Minister Licudi eGaming Summit in Gibraltar, Minister present, whether in the form of opened the 2013 KPMG eGaming Licudi then reiterated the Gibraltar jurisdictional competition, legislative Summit with a spirited address. Government’s commitment to change, or the proposed introduction licensing only the best operators in the of taxation. “But there will, of course, “This is an event which is clearly and world. “That has been the cornerstone be other challenges”, he continued. “It firmly established in our yearly of the Government’s remote gaming is clearly the case that the EU poses a calendar”, he began. “It is, of course, policy”, he confirmed. “That is still the challenge to all of us, and it is a no secret that Gibraltar is a world position today, and that is a policy that challenge that we are already leader in online gambling. The will continue in the future. It is, in fact, confronting. You will have heard of the reputation, the quality and the that cautious and selective approach Government’s attendance in Brussels standing of our operators is absolutely that has seen expressions of interest just a few weeks ago, with the Chief first class, and our operators deserve by very well known brand names and Minister’s speech specifically to be congratulated for the responsible which has resulted in several new concerning gaming and calling manner in which they undertake their licences being granted last year. precisely for that coherent EU policy. business. That has been one of the key Indeed, it is my expectation that We demanded the right, because it is factors that have helped shape several further licences will be granted a right, for operators to demand Gibraltar into a jurisdiction that is the over the course of this year for unhindered access to the whole of the envy of many around the world.” operators that are considered fit to join single market. Whatever the the selection of incumbent licensees, challenges may be in this industry, Minister Licudi continued in confirming of which Gibraltar is justly proud.” there will always be new opportunities that Gibraltar has become a jurisdiction that present themselves. We are that others look to and seek to learn “As we all know, this is an industry certainly hopeful and we expect that from, particularly with respect to the that is dynamic and ever-changing”, the EU challenge will become an EU 3 “You don’t need me to tell you that in this industry, no-one in the private sector, and certainly no Government, can ever relax.” opportunity, with access to greater, flawed basis of this proposed tax. Let more liberalised and, indeed, properly me assure the industry of the Gibraltar regulated markets.” Government’s resolve and of its commitment to continue to support Looking further afield, Minister Licudi our operators in whatever way we can, noted that new opportunities are to continue to lobby, to continue to already materialising in areas such as advance arguments in every available the United States, with limited forum as we have already been doing.” intrastate gambling now being allowed in states such as Nevada and New Minister Licudi explained that he had Jersey. “And -Gibraltar operators are already discussed this issue with three already taking advantage of those UK ministers on this issue while opportunities”, Minister Licudi Gibraltar’s Chief Minister had also confirmed. “Now there is talk of raised the issue with UK Prime agreements between the US and Minister, David Cameron and has other jurisdictions to create a global made submissions to the select market of gambling jurisdictions. Those committee on Culture, Media and are the opportunities that Gibraltar Sport. “And those efforts will continue, must be first in line to explore and because the game is on and the battle exploit.” has not yet been won. Whatever happens, there is one thing of which I He continued, “last year at the Summit am absolutely certain, that Gibraltar we had representatives of HM will continue to lead the way in remote Treasury and HM Revenue and gambling and Gibraltar will continue to Customs, who were here to explain be that shining beacon at which the the UK Government’s take on the whole world will look and seek to supposed need for the point of emulate. We have already earned that consumption tax. And it is actually pre-eminent position and the good to have such representatives Government will continue to work with here in Gibraltar so that they are left in the industry to make absolutely certain absolutely no doubt of the strength of that we keep it that way.” feeling in opposition to that tax.