eGaming is undergoing ‘fantastic’ growth with more jobs being created and the sector playing an increasingly important role in the island’s economy.
But Mark Robson, head of eGaming at the island’s government said there were no plans to take feet off the pedals as the island strives for more success in the sector.
Former semi-pro internet poker playerMr Robson, who has previously worked at software giant Microgaming and for other gaming based companies, and has run his own gaming consultancy firm said these are exciting times for the island’s egaming sector.
He told the Manx Independent: ‘The growth we have had in this sector has been absolutely fantastic. Frankly it has showed no signs of abating’.
Mr Robson said the ‘solid infrastructure’ and foundations set from the island’s financial services background had ‘certainly helped catapult the Isle of Man to stratospheric proportions’ in terms of eGaming.
Mr Robson had, minutes earlier, told the sixth KPMG eGaming Summit at the Villa Marina, Douglas, that eGaming now represented 16.7 per cent of the island’s economy with £168m worth of growth in just one year - a rise of 32 per cent. And ‘hot off the press’ there had been a 9.9 per cent growth in jobs in the sector.
Earlier Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly told the audience that eGaming and eBusiness were a major part of the success of the government’s strategy of diversifying the economy.
‘This next year this industry will result in a fifth of our economy and continues to grow at a very rapid rate.’
Referring to the 32 per cent growth reported from the last financial year Mr Robson said: ‘This is inconceivable from other sectors at the moment.’
Mr Robson said there was no intention to take any feet off the pedals.
‘I’m passionate about the industry and I want to ensure that it contiues to be a success.
Mr Robson earlier joined Mark Rutherford of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission on stage at the Villa Marina for the update on the Isle of Man eGaming sector.
A few firms had left the island because of changes in the UK where a new licensing regime was implemented.
Mr Robson said the emphasis would be on quality over quantity as the sector continued to grow.
Around 200 delegates attended the event on Tuesday and discussed a whole range of topics including a panel session on social responsibility in gaming.