SMP Partners, the dominant provider of corporate services to the Isle of Man's e-gaming sector, has boosted its dedicated Gaming Department with the creation of two new posts.
 
Luke Fisher and Vicky Campbell are joining the team, which now has more than 20 members.
 
The new positions reflect increasing demand for SMP’s expertise in the e-gaming field. Over the past three years, SMP Partners has introduced and managed over 60% of the licenses heard by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, which represents a significant contribution to the Island’s gaming industry.
 
Today the company manages and supports almost half of the licensed gaming companies in the Isle of Man.
 
The breadth and depth of expertise available within the SMP Gaming Department has assisted a range of operators, from early stage start-up operations to Island-based subsidiaries of major international PLCs.
 
SMP Partners’ Group Director David Hudson said: “I’m delighted, on behalf of SMP Partners, to welcome Luke and Vicky to the Gaming Department. Their appointments reflect a growing demand for our services in the e-gaming sector and the success we have enjoyed helping the Isle of Man develop this industry.”
 
“Despite the current uncertainty in relation to UK licensing and the introduction of the place of consumption tax, we have experienced another successful year, and we are confident that the remainder of 2013 and 2014 will be periods of further growth.”
 
Luke Fisher, who studied Sports Business Management at Sheffield Hallam University, joins SMP Partners with experience in the Isle of Man finance industry and having recently completed an on-Island e-gaming course.
 
He said: “I have a strong level of interest in the business world and more specifically e-gaming. Seeing the growth in the Island was a huge influence in wanting to get involved within the sector, and be a part of something expansive and new.”
 
After training and working in the UK, qualified accountant Vicky added offshore experience to her skills when she moved to the Isle of Man in 2011.
 
She said: “I am very much looking forward to the exciting challenges that e-gaming at SMP Partners will bring; book-keeping and accounting for e-gaming companies brings a high degree of complexity and I relish the opportunity to learn new skills from the experienced team established at SMP."
 
Mr Hudson added: “Alongside knowledge, flexibility and unrivalled industry contacts, one of the key strengths of SMP Partners is the quality of service we deliver. Many of our clients have been with us for several years, with our service and expertise developing as long-standing clients have matured.”
 
“It is vital we continue to offer the personalised service our clients expect, which will be achieved by increasing the size and capability of our Gaming Department, ensuring high quality, dedicated service is maintained.”
 
The standard-setting service quality has brought endorsements from many of SMP Partners’ clients.
 
Eric Jungels, CEO at Multislot, said: “The team of experts at SMP has provided a level of guidance and support to me over the last two years that, as an early stage business, I was struggling to find. The team they have built is incredibly knowledgeable about the complexities of the gaming sector, highly proactive and always responsive to my needs. I'm pleased to say that, together, as trusted partners, we are steadily building the business on the Isle of Man."
 
CEO at Sugarhill Limited Jarrod Epps added: “The whole team at SMP provides a service that goes far beyond my expectations; it comes as no surprise that they are the dominant provider to the Island's gaming sector. The relationship with them works incredibly well. I am able to concentrate on building my business, confident that the regulatory, compliance and financial reporting aspects of running a licensed gaming site are being looked after by a trusted and knowledgeable team of experts.”
 
Locus Gaming CEO Ed Andrewes said his company had benefitted from its relationship with SMP Partners. He explained: “Once Locus Gaming decided to apply for a licence in the Isle of Man, the selection of a corporate service provider in the jurisdiction became a critical decision. Throughout the selection process SMP were the stand out candidate in terms of expertise and infrastructure and we had no hesitation in appointing them.”
 
“Our decision has been proved right throughout the journey to getting Jack Wild Casino live. Almost a year into our operation, SMP have demonstrated themselves to be knowledgeable, efficient, pragmatic and thorough and they remain of huge help in navigating through the regulation. Working with the team at SMP continues to be a positive and valuable experience.”
 
In addition to creating new jobs, SMP Partners will be taking the message of the Island’s e-gaming industry to the EiG Congress and Expo in Barcelona from October 8 to 10. Gaming Department representatives will join more than 1,500 executive and high level e-gaming professionals to discuss developments in the online gaming world and build business contacts.
 
Mr Hudson explained: “EiG provides an opportunity to meet e-gaming executives from around the world and explain how SMP and the Isle of Man can help them achieve and maintain a competitive advantage in the dynamic online gaming market.”
 
“SMP has played a vital role in building the Isle of Man’s position as an internationally credible licensing jurisdiction, and we will continue to deliver that message to the innovation-focused decision-makers and strategists who attend this important event.”
 
“We have a number of meetings already in place with our existing clients and many others considering the Island as a licensing jurisdiction.”
 
Photo - Luke Fisher