Island of Jersey Awards First Online Gambling License

Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands and situated off the coast of Normandy, France, has given out its first online gaming license to lottery software provider Twelve40. Twelve40 focuses on small and medium-sized lotteries around the world, and is designed to add an online element to lottery operators that currently offer only physical ticket sales. The online element is usually in the form of virtual tickets or online scratchcards.

Twelve40 was granted its license by the Jersey Gambling Commission, and was granted its remote gambling operator’s license under the terms of Part 2, Article 12 of the Jersey Gambling Law 2012. The Jersey Gambling Commission (JGC) is the body in charge of all gambling on the island of Jersey, including both land-based and online. Their primary function is to ensure that gambling runs fairly, and that consumers are protected.

Jersey Regulations

The Jersey Gambling Commission requires operators to guarantee a reliable and fair service to their customers, to have methods of dealing with problem gambling and to set strict age verification controls. Steve Hickson, the director of Twelve40, stated that the company proudly complied with all of the Jersey Gambling Commission’s requirements, and was thus able to obtain the license. Hickson also commented on the helpfulness of the regulator in Jersey, and said that he was able to receive support throughout the whole application process.

Will Jersey be the New Malta?

Jersey Gambling Commission chief executive Jason Lane said that the recent changes made to the United Kingdom’s online gambling licensing system have made many companies turn to Jersey as an alternative, which could end up making the Island into an iGaming hub much like Malta. Jersey has had intentions to begin granting online gambling licenses, and in 2012 signed a memorandum of understanding with Malta’s Lotteries and Gaming Authority. As the year goes on, the Jersey Gambling Commission would not be surprised to receive many more applications.