Gibraltar lawmakers advance sweeping gambling reform bill to replace 2005 law

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Gibraltar lawmakers advance sweeping gambling reform bill to replace 2005 law. View from Gibraltar Rock, Gibraltar

Gibraltar has taken the primary formal step towards overhauling its gambling laws, with a brand new invoice launched in Parliament on Wednesday (March 18). The proposal begins the method of changing the territory’s long-standing 2005 framework with a broader and extra trendy system.

Lawmakers will now transfer the invoice by means of its subsequent levels, together with a second studying, detailed committee evaluation and a ultimate vote. If it clears these hurdles, it would go ahead for Crown assent earlier than turning into legislation.

Framework replace for Gibraltar playing invoice

The legislation redraws how playing is licensed, monitored and enforced in Gibraltar. It’s designed “to repeal the Playing Act 2005 and to make new provision for the licensing, regulation and supervision of playing.”

The brand new construction places a licensing Authority and a Playing Commissioner on the middle of oversight, backed by outlined objectives resembling defending customers, sustaining market integrity and tackling monetary crime.

The scope of regulation can be set to widen as properly. The principles would prolong past operators to incorporate advertising and marketing associates, software program suppliers and sure possession preparations linked to playing companies.

One other notable change is how licensing applies throughout borders. Corporations may fall beneath Gibraltar’s guidelines even when playing exercise occurs elsewhere, so long as key administration or operational management sits throughout the jurisdiction.

The invoice additionally tightens expectations round financial substance. Companies will likely be required to indicate a “ample substantive presence” in Gibraltar, together with actual staffing, infrastructure and tax contributions.

At present we handed the brand new Playing Invoice in Parliament.

In my handle, I outlined our work at tempo to answer the UK playing tax will increase impacting our tax revenues.

It was necessary to me to additionally thank Ministry workers and colleagues for his or her sustained work and assist. pic.twitter.com/ZejKc6Xtpc

— Nigel Feetham KC (@NigelMFeetham) March 18, 2026

Senior personnel will face nearer scrutiny as properly, with some required to be authorized as “regulated people”, including private accountability inside licensed corporations.

Current operators could be given a six-month transition window after the legislation takes impact, permitting them to proceed working whereas making use of beneath the brand new system.

The proposed modifications arrive as Gibraltar’s on-line gaming sector faces strain from UK tax policy shifts. Current will increase in UK distant playing duties, highlighted in business reporting and debates involving each Gibraltar and Northern Ireland stakeholders, have raised issues about competitiveness and revenue margins. Separate evaluation linked to UK funds discussions has additionally pointed to potential additional tax tightening, including uncertainty for operators primarily based in Gibraltar however serving UK clients.

The invoice strengthens enforcement instruments as properly. The Playing Commissioner would acquire extra authority to demand data, challenge penalties and act towards non-compliant corporations. A brand new Playing Appeals Tribunal would additionally give operators a proper path to problem selections.

Presenting the invoice, Nigel Feetham KC, Minister for Justice, Commerce and Business, mentioned the federal government was working to answer latest UK tax modifications affecting the sector.

“However Madam Speaker, we’re working intensely and at tempo to bridge so far as doable the hole created by the latest UK tax resolution.”

He added: “While the company tax revenues due to the UK tax modifications can’t be absolutely restored by the tip of this 12 months by means of new entrants alone, the continued progress of the sector will create necessary future income streams.”

Featured picture: Canva

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