Frank Schuengel is part of the Isle of Man-based law firm and corporate service provider MannBenham. Specializing in iGaming licensing, MannBenham has carved a niche in this sector and has been instrumental in providing licenses for various casino operators.
According to Schuengel, casinos require licenses primarily for two reasons:
Schuengel explains that casino licenses can typically be found in two types:
For players looking to gamble on a new site, Schuengel advises checking whether the casino is licensed. This can be verified by scrolling to the bottom of the casino's home page.
Situated in the Irish Sea, between Ireland and Scotland, the Isle of Man is a small crown dependency known for its gaming regulations. With its own government, Tynwald, the longest continuously running government in the world, it provides a favourable and stable business environment for gaming companies. MannBenham has been a part of the gambling licensing in the Isle of Man for over 20 years.
Schuengel outlines numerous reasons why the Isle of Man is a business-friendly place. For digital companies, including gaming, finance, and even crypto companies, the benefits are vast. With high quality of life, safety, tranquility, and a business-friendly atmosphere with no corporation tax and 0% capital gains tax, the Isle of Man presents a compelling case for businesses.
Moreover, the Isle of Man is distinguished by its responsive local government and the accessibility of its regulatory body. This, coupled with segregated player fund accounts, assures that players' money is safe, making it a preferred choice for both players and operators.
From a player's perspective, Schuengel insists that the Isle of Man license should be at the top of the trust list. It guarantees the legitimacy of the company, the source of its money, and the absence of any crime involvement. For operators, this translates into more respect and trust from the players.
The Isle of Man government charges a £5000 application fee, which is due upon application submission. Once the license is granted, operators are charged £36000 per year. In addition, there's a gaming levy between 1.5% and 0.1% depending on volume, based on GGR.
"It's very, very competitive with other jurisdictions and that's on the fee side."
Delays often occur during the due diligence process, where the authorities must familiarise themselves with the operator's entire group.
"If you want to get an Isle of Man license, by all means pick up the phone to us. I can get that four to six months. The delays always come into due diligence."
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission implements a number of measures to ensure that games are fair and that players are safe.
For instance, any games used must be under the Isle of Man license, and every game on a casino's website must be certified by an approved testing house.
"Only games that are certified by reputable testing house can actually be offered."
Additionally, strict responsible gambling policies are in place. The government mandates tools for self-exclusion and limits, and even maintains a central register for problem gamblers.
"There's no messing around with this. So they are very, very strict on the responsible gambling side. It has to be there and it makes sense. We want a sustainable industry. We want people to have fun."
Schuengel foresees a lot of lower-tier operators moving to the Isle of Man due to increasing industry regulation. This includes areas like anti-money laundering, banking, payment providers, and KYC procedures.
"We're adopting to crypto for example. We were one of the first to give you a proper Tier 1 crypto license. Which is the same license that for fiat. We're now moving into all the other digital spaces."
One area that Schuengel is keen to explore more is player feedback. He is interested in knowing more about what players value and how they perceive the industry.
"I'd love to hear more from players actually. Just general conversation and networking and seeing what do the players think of our industry?"
In this interview, Miles Benham and Frank Schuengel delve into the intricacies of the Vanuatu casino license. Vanuatu, an island nation consisting of around 60 islands off the coast of Australia, has a unique history in the gaming sector. According to Benham, it was one of the earliest jurisdictions to provide gaming licenses, even before the Isle of Man, starting back in the 1990s.
Initially, Vanuatu's licenses supported bookmaking services targeted at Australian customers. However, as Australian laws evolved, so did Vanuatu's licensing framework. Today, Vanuatu has modernized its licensing and offers competitive tax rates, positioning itself as an appealing option for businesses.
Benham emphasized that Vanuatu is a genuine jurisdiction with its own parliament and laws, which is a significant factor in its credibility. Unlike some licenses issued by protectorates or less formal bodies, Vanuatu's status as an independent nation is vital for ensuring long-term industry sustainability. This credibility appeals to businesses looking for a reliable license without compromising on quality or cost.
Schuengel highlighted that while the Isle of Man is known as the “Rolls-Royce” of licenses, not every startup can afford its high compliance costs. Vanuatu, by contrast, offers a cost-effective, legitimate solution for new businesses wanting to enter the market without an extensive budget. He pointed out, “It’s not just ‘pay and get your license’—there’s a thorough process including criminal background checks for license holders.”
The Vanuatu licensing process has gained traction due to its efficiency. According to Benham, once all due diligence is complete, including providing necessary documents like a passport, the submission-to-decision timeline can be as short as three to four weeks. This swift process is attractive for businesses looking to enter the market quickly.
For those concerned about player safety, Schuengel reassured that Vanuatu's license includes substantial regulatory checks. Additionally, the government regulates the licensing, while a private company manages administrative aspects, ensuring consistent quality control.
"In the past three months since its relaunch in Lisbon, nearly 100 licenses have been issued, showcasing its growing popularity."
This modern approach, coupled with a lower cost of entry, makes Vanuatu a strong contender for startups aiming to scale up gradually and potentially move to more comprehensive licenses, like those offered by the Isle of Man, as they grow.
Frank Schuengel shared insights on a new licensing jurisdiction called Nevis. While not yet a true Tier 1 jurisdiction, Nevis offers a middle ground between the highly respected but stringent licenses (like Malta or Isle of Man) and easier-to-get ones (like Curaçao or Anjouan).
"There has always been a space in the middle, and I think that is where I see Nevis."
Nevis positions itself as a flexible option with promising potential, driven by experienced people behind the framework. Still, Schuengel points out that it has yet to earn the same trust from bankers and lawyers as the top-tier jurisdictions.
Located in the Caribbean, Nevis operates separately from St. Kitts. While beautiful and appealing as a location, it's unlikely to become a full-fledged business hub. Instead, operators tend to use Nevis (or similar pre-regulated jurisdictions) for licensing while running support operations elsewhere.
Popular outsourcing destinations include the Philippines, where operators can legally base their customer service teams thanks to business process outsourcing permits.
Schuengel believes most pre-regulated markets will eventually implement local licenses, driven by governments seeking tax revenue. This trend is already squeezing out grey-market B2C operations, particularly from reputable jurisdictions like the Isle of Man.
"The number of countries that a Tier 1 license is comfortable you targeting is getting smaller and smaller."
As a result, B2B licensing continues to grow while B2C models decline unless fully compliant. Schuengel also mentions the fringe of unlicensed operators persists but continues to shrink.
A new regulatory trend is the licensing of affiliates. Schuengel notes that jurisdictions like the Philippines are beginning to accredit suppliers and potentially marketers. The goal: disrupt the flow of money to illegal operators by holding suppliers accountable.
"They're not going to do it by domain blocking. They're going to go after your money streams."
This may expand across more jurisdictions as governments aim to protect local frameworks through licensing not just of operators, but of affiliates and suppliers as well.
When asked about the easiest and most effective Tier 1 license today, Schuengel didn’t single one out as "easy," noting they all involve six-figure investments and similar effort. However, he sees promise in:
In 2025, Schuengel sees a narrowing window for grey-market operations. Operators must choose between the legitimate, regulated path or risk being blacklisted.
"You have to decide: do you want to dance in the light or dance in the shadows?"
He emphasizes that operators dabbling in unlicensed markets may face difficulties gaining approval later. Regulators are unlikely to welcome companies that previously skirted rules.
Manavia assists with company formation, structuring, and obtaining gaming licenses. Miles Benham outlines how regulated setups protect players and support sustainable growth.
Benham frames gambling as a timeless wager between people. It can be as simple as betting on who runs faster. The essence is risk, agreement, and a clear outcome.
Goal one is player protection. Funds must be safe and winnings paid. Operators should offer a safe environment with tested games and transparent rules.
Good gambling regulation is regulation that works. The aim behind regulation is to protect the players.
He cites Malta and the Isle of Man as strong examples where players can expect to be paid and money is safeguarded.
If you bet with an operator in the Isle of Man you will get paid.
Not necessarily. People already access online services. Opening every market can create social issues if not careful. The key is using safe jurisdictions with proven oversight.
As long as people use jurisdictions that are safe, let them decide how to play online.
Consolidation is likely among operators and studios. The best rise, others merge or are acquired. He notes Games Global as a merger example that concentrates talent and returns.
Over time the best companies will merge and you will end up with consolidation in the market.
AI accelerates this. Teams that combine talent with efficient tools will outpace others.
For the Isle of Man, current headline fees mentioned in the interview:
This is a Tier 1 license with access to banking and reputable payments. Cheaper jurisdictions exist but often bring higher payment friction and lower trust. Ongoing costs depend on size, product mix, and operations. Providers can tailor estimates to the plan.
It is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive. You pay for a regulator you can meet and engage with, which supports compliance and banking relationships.
If you want cheaper payment providers and lower cost of doing business, you tend to go to a Tier 1 jurisdiction like Malta or the Isle of Man.
Define your objectives. Are you a startup or already operating. Schedule a call to map scope, timelines, and feasibility.
We are happy to chat through the process and explain what can be done and what cannot be done.