A leading name in the eGaming industry, SMP Partners, has announced the start of a new era with the launch of SMP eGaming.

After six years as a major player in the industry, and a dominant force behind the growth of the Isle of Man’s gaming sector, the SMP Group has decided the time is right to create a dedicated eGaming consulting company.

SMP eGaming is a specialist gaming consultancy providing objective and unbiased, advisory services, multi-jurisdictional licensing, regulatory compliance and operational support to established and early stage eGaming operators and software providers, as well as those operating on the periphery of this dynamic and fast-moving international sector.

It will help clients establish international operations that maximise global market opportunities through the design of an effective licensing strategy and ensure they remain compliant through the on-going provision of a suite of operational and regulatory consulting and outsourced services.

Ahead of the ICE Totally Gaming conference in February, while the leading figures of the industry were gathered in London, SMP eGaming was unveiled in front of more than 100 clients and contacts. The launch party was held at the exclusive Shangri-La Hotel in the landmark Shard building.

Underlining the significance of the decision to launch a dedicated eGaming consultancy business, the high profile event saw rooms in the Shard decorated to reflect the SMP eGaming corporate brand and included speeches from, among others, Group Chairman Steve McGowan and Group Director David Hudson.

David said: ‘SMP Partners has an eGaming team numbering more than 30 professionals and a service offering which continues to develop and adapt to the rapidly changing worldwide gaming market.

‘Over the last six years we have been at the forefront of building the reputation and offering in the Isle of Man, one of the leading eGaming jurisdictions, introducing 60 percent of all applications approved by the Isle of Man Gambling Commission. Today we provide specialist gaming services to 50 percent of the Island’s licensed gaming companies and manage some of the most prestigious international gaming brands, many of which hold licenses in multiple jurisdictions.

‘We have achieved a great deal in the last six years, but there are major changes taking place in the international gaming market and it is essential for our clients that we provide eGaming services and consultancy without borders.’

He added: ‘Having successfully advised and guided more than 50 gaming operators and software providers – established and early stage – through the licensing process across multiple jurisdictions, the team at SMP eGaming has built an unrivalled understanding of the major onshore and offshore gaming jurisdictions and the markets they serve. This understanding, together with the specialist direct and indirect tax consulting services provided by other SMP Group companies, creates the expertise clients need to build and implement a coherent licensing strategy that delivers optimum tax/duty treatment whilst securing access to chosen markets.

‘SMP eGaming is the culmination of the work we have been doing for the last six years and is a response to the growing complexities of operating within the international gaming market. As markets began to change and our clients responded, it became very clear that our service offering and expertise was no longer exclusive to the Isle of Man; the establishment of SMP eGaming allows us to bring the expertise we have developed into a more recognisable brand and be better placed to serve the needs of international gaming companies as they come to terms with the changing regulatory landscape in which they have to operate and the increasing focus on compliance and regulation.’

Photo - The SMP eGaming team, from left, Lorna Richards, Ted Pepper, David Hudson, Paul Williams, Neil Young and Jade Allcock.