Appleby offers a range of gambling and gaming expertise, including providing advice on regulatory matters for e-gaming clients. Practice head Claire Milne, formerly the chair of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, has extensive expertise in commercial and regulatory work, and also handles data protection and outsourcing issues. Kyle Sutherlandspecialises in corporate and commercial disciplines, ranging from joint venture work, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, and asset finance transactions. Katherine Garrood acts for a number of funds with investments in gaming and technology sectors, and is actively involved in the blockchain and crypto sector.
Gambling in Isle Of Man
Appleby
Practice head(s):
Claire Milne
Other key lawyers:
Kyle Sutherland; Katherine Garrood
Testimonials
‘Personal and professional responses.’
‘Very personable, knowledgeable, excellent response times.’
‘The practice has considerable experience in IP, technology and the gambling sector and its expert advice reflects their understanding of these.’
‘Claire Milne is a valued advisor to our clients, she is well regarded in our field and is clearly an expert in the sector offering advise in complementary areas including data protection. She uses her decades worth of experience to not only address what is asked of her, but also adds enormous value by raising further areas for consideration based on her understanding of the sector and its current landscape.’
‘The team provides high quality professional advice.’
‘Claire Milne is a leader in the gambling sector, and provides practical, expert support to our clients.’
‘We worked with Appleby on a major international gambling transaction. They have the corporate and gaming specialist knowledge and expertise and worked seamlessly and efficiently delivering first class advice and assistance.’
‘Claire Milne was exceptional on the transaction. Providing all the advice we needed in a succinct and easily understood way, but also immediately grasping the commercial reality at the heart of the transaction and anticipating what we needed to know about the law in her jurisdiction.’
Key clients
Global Switch
Playtech
BGF
Cains
Cains provides a full service to clients in the gambling sector, ranging from corporate and regulatory matters, structuring and restructuring, debt finance, commercial property, intellectual property, employment, regulatory and data protection. The team can also draw on support from the wider firm's litigation practice for contentious matters. Scott Leonard-Morgan co-chairs the department and is recognised as a prominent lawyer with extensive experience in this sector, and regularly handles complex corporate and commercial transactions involving Isle of Man gambling companies. Meanwhile, co-chair Tristan Head has strong expertise in advising on both local and multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions.
Practice head(s):
Scott Leonard-Morgan; Tristan Head
Key clients
The Stars Group
Aristocrat Leisure
Flutter Entertainment PLC
Gamesys Grop PLC
Galaxy Gaming Inc
NetEnt AB
Work highlights
- Advised Aristocrat Leisure, the Australian Securities Exchange listed slot-machine maker, on its $3.7bn recommended takeover of Playtech by way of an Isle of Man court approved scheme of merger.
- Successfully defended Flutter Entertainment in their lawsuit brought against companies within the Isle of Man PokerStars group by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
- Advised Flutter Entertainment on the restructuring of its $3bn USD facility, including the repricing and upsizing of the Group’s Term Loan B facility by $1.5bn, with reference to existing debt facilities provided by, amongst others, Deutsche Bank.
MannBenham Advocates Limited
MannBenham Advocates Limited offers an industry-focused approach, combining legal expertise with knowledge from business advisors who have worked in the gaming industry or related areas such as financial services, payments, and blockchain. The team provides general corporate, commercial and regulatory compliance advice, including to international companies, and the firm's in-house corporate trust provider, MannBenham Fiduciaries, allows it to assist with the formation of gaming companies and manage the ongoing aspects of their businesses. Carly Stratton heads the e-gaming and gambling practice, which covers corporate, commercial and finance work. Miles Benham, the firm's managing director, is noted for his extensive experience in this sector.
Practice head(s):
Carly Stratton; Miles Benham
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Devine
Testimonials
‘I have engaged MannBenham for almost two decades for all work on the Isle of Man. The firm has always been extremely professional and have represented me and my clients in the best possible manner. The firm is highly thought of by the local government, provides clear and accurate advice and has access to all persons required by the activities of my clients. Their knowledge of the gaming industry is unparalleled.’
‘Miles Benham is as fine an attorney as I have ever met. Not only does he know the subject matter down to the finest detail but also is an excellent communicator. As a result, my clients are confident they know what is happening and why at all times.’
Key clients
888 Holdings PLC
Ableton Prestige Global Limited
AceKing IOM Limited
Babylon Gaming Limited
Blue Lotus Limited
Celton Manx Limited
Empire (IOM) Limited
FHQ eCommerce Limited
Gamesys Group PLC
Gaming Realms PLC
Gammix STS
Global Chain Limited
Jackpotjoy Operations Limited
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Premier Gateway International Limited
SportPesa Holdings Limited
XB Solutions International Ltd
Work highlights
- Advising Babylon Gaming on commercial contract review, regulatory and compliance matters.
- Advising Gamesys on corporate and commercial issues, as well as IP, employment, and real estate/leasing matters.
- Advising Celton Manx on a range of legal matters.
Keystone Law
Keystone Law provides expertise for both the online and land-based gambling industry, advising on a range of issues such as regulatory law, corporate transactions, gaming duty, debt recovery, and data protection. Alongside their experts in liquor licensing, they are also able to advise on transactions involving casinos and betting shops, as well as online operators. Stephen Rodd is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer, with specific expertise in advising IT, telecoms and e-gaming companies on technology-based commercial agreements.
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Rodd