If there was ever a
gaming jurisdiction that would stand to benefit from a
white-listing by the UK Gambling Commission, it would
apparently be none other than Antigua and Barbuda. As
reported by the Antigua Sun recently, according to the
Caribbean island's Financial Services Regulatory
Commission, Antigua and Barbuda is up to their heads
with inquiries and applications from new online gaming
operators.
Exact
figures were not reported by the Commission; However,
the Director of Gaming for the Commission, Kaye
McDonald, said that budgetary predictions show an
increase of approximately 100%. There is also no word on
just how many of the applicants are "green" or are
simply changing jurisdictions for one reason or another.
Antigua and Barbuda has long been the regulator of
choice for the bulk of online casinos and gaming
operations since the dawn of online gambling over a
decade ago. That said, there may certainly be other
incentives for established operators to change from a
previously white-listed jurisdiction like the UK itself.
Initially left off the list, Antigua and Barbuda (along
with the Kahnawake Gaming Commission) had hitherto been
quite vocal expressing their disappointment with UK
online gaming authorities. After making an appeal and
undergoing negotiations with the UK Gambling Commission
to get more up-to-speed with their advertising
standards, Antigua and Barbuda was finally given the
green light just late last month to permit its online
casino licensees to advertise in the UK.
Considering the great drop in business that Antigua and
Barbuda endured due to the passing of the Unlawful
Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the United States,
the sparked interest in new licensees is very promising
for Antigua's economy. McDonald said the white-listing
has certainly raised the island's profile in the
business world. More licensees means more employment
opportunities in Antigua, for it's not just hardware
equipment and servers that will find itself on the
shores of Antigua. A physical managerial presence will
obviously be required as well.
Along with other white-listed gaming jurisdictions like
Malta, Alderney and Isle of Man (who recently passed new
gaming legislation), Antigua and Barbuda has announced
they will be at the upcoming International Casino Expo
in London (late January 2009) to attract the attention
of more potential licensees and get the word out to the
online gambling community at large. Currently, a large
number of top-rated online casinos hold their licensing
in Antigua, including the EHGV group of online caisnos:
English Harbour,
Millionaire Casino and
Super Slots.
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