Gibraltar's Gambling Commissioner has cited "frontier risks" between Gibraltar and Spain as 'a greater business factor' for the sector when assessing the consequences of a No Deal Brexit outcome.
In an interview with SBS News, Andrew Lyman says his department is not treating Brexit as a "doom and gloom scenario" and is confident that Gibraltar will maintain its status as an online gambling hub.
However he saidthe Gibraltar Government would want to come to a mutual agreement with Spanish counterparts to maintain border fluidity if no future trade agreement is reached between the UK and the EU.
Andrew Lyman says he's confident Gibraltar will maintain its industry presence in online gambling regardless of Brexittrade talk outcomes, adding his department had long accepted that Gibraltar's business relationship will change with EU counterparts.
The Gambling Commissioner stressed Gibraltar operators have already made contingency arrangements, such as corporate structuring to continue access to EU Markets, whilst still maintaining a substantial presence in Gibraltar.
He also confirmed the Government is focusing on developing reciprocal arrangements which will proceed in any negotiated conclusions including a No Deal outcome.
Mr Lyman explained that if no free trade agreement with the EU is secured, or online gambling is treated as a 'reserved industry outside an FTA", then the implications "will not be all one way".
In any case, Andrew Lyman cited "frontier risks" between Gibraltar and Spain as a greater business factor should no agreement be reached between the UK and the EU.
In a No Deal scenario, he said the Gibraltar Government would want to come to a mutual agreement with Spanish counterparts, given he adds, the inextricable link between Spanish workers living in the Campo Area who rely on frontier fluidity.
Looking to the future beyond Brexit, Mr Lyman said the focus is on developing effective regulatory frameworks to attract talent and tackle the sector's complexities on sustainability. He confirmed gaming licence applications were still being received and his department is currently rewriting gambling legislation which will accommodate some flexibility on IT infrastructure.
The Commissioner said while gambling is a controversial subject in the UK, Gibraltar enjoys cross-party political support adding, he sees no reason why the UK will not support policies that sustain the gambling industry on the Rock.
GBC has requested an interview with Mr Lyman, but this was declined by Number Six.
https://www.gbc.gi/news/gibraltars-gambling-commissioner-cites-frontier-risks-greater-business-factor-no-deal-brexit-scenari