The Manx government is wooing more online gaming operators by relaxing its licensing regulations.

Internet access and stability is critical to the industry, and a seamless switch to a back-up network is vital to a poker player who doesn’t want to miss out because of network failures.

The government is now negotiating with companies to set up disaster recovery operations here in a bid to prevent losses that may arise from service disruption.

Six online gaming firms are in talks with the government to set up emergency systems which they could bring online if their main communications network fails.

The talks come after changes in the Island's online gaming regulations last month.

New laws let companies operate support facilities for up to twenty four hours in an emergency, without a licence and without paying duty on earnings in that period.