Celton Manx, an eGaming operator with a long history on the Isle of Man, has given up its online gambling licence. This move signals big changes in the island’s gaming industry.
GSC Confirms Celton Manx Licence Surrender as Regulator Faces Revenue Shortfall
The company, which runs the sports betting sites SBOBet and SBOtop worldwide, gave back its license on May 9. The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) confirmed this action, reported local news outlet Isle of Man Today. It has now listed Celton Manx as a past license holder in its updated records.
Celton Manx got a license under the Online Gambling Regulation Act in 2008, making it one of the first companies to set up shop in the area. The company’s CEO, Bill Mummery, has confirmed they are giving up the license, but has not given a detailed reason why. The GSC, sticking to its rules, has not said anything about the specific reasons behind this decision.
The company’s exit adds to a growing number of operators leaving the Isle of Man. Earlier this year, PokerStars, another big name in online gaming, also gave back its license as part of a wider restructuring plan. In 2025 so far, 13 companies in total have surrendered their online gambling licenses, hinting at possible issues for the island’s rules and oversight.
This mass departure has led to a big drop in expected income for the GSC. The Commission thought 148 active licenses would continue into the 2025-26 financial year, but now they think 109 will. Right now, just 80 online gambling licenses remain in use.
Regulatory Fallout and Staffing Struggles Cloud Celton Manx’s Future on the Isle of Man
Several things are causing this downturn, such as more new license applications failing than expected and the fallout from the King Gaming probe last year, which looked into claims of fraud and money laundering. The increased oversight from regulators has made the landscape less stable for potential operators.
Questions also remain about whether Celton Manx will stay on the island. Even though they gave up their license, the company still owns office space near Douglas, and their LinkedIn page still says the Isle of Man is where they are based. Some people say the company’s live casino, which used to run from their main office, might have already shut down because they could not find enough staff.
The Celton Manx websites no longer show the Isle of Man’s license seal, which has an impact on the company’s current licensing status. As the Isle of Man gets ready for an upcoming MoneyVal evaluation, people in the industry are keeping a close eye to see how changes in rules and enforcement will shape the island’s future in eGaming.