Anthony Ure, Head of e-Gaming, Isle of Man Department for Enterprise

Industry trends at ICE 2018: blockchain technology and player protection under GDPR

Tony Ure joined the Department for Enterprise as Head of e-Gaming for the Isle of Man. He has worked for a number of years within gaming industries in a variety of senior roles. He spent 10 years as Head of Poker Operations for IGT before becoming a consultant to the gaming industry in early 2016.

2018-01-23
Reading time 1:30 min
In a few weeks, the global e-Gaming industry will be coming together for the most significant event in the calendar - ICE Expo 2018, an opportunity to look at the proverbial “crystal ball” and forecast trends that continue to shape our environment. In this article, we look at blockchain technology, and GDPR and the increased focus on player protection.

Continued intersection of blockchain tech and e-Gaming

The synergy between blockchain technology and e-Gaming continues to drive and dominate conversations. Its rapid application across the industry has been driven by various factors. These include tangible benefits particularly in improving transparency, and the e-Gaming industry’s ability to embrace innovations quickly.

The decentralized system of blockchain technology makes online gaming fairer. Trust and security have always been the biggest concerns for the industry and gamers. The technology's decentralized system ensures that no individual or entity has a centralized advantage at any stage of the gaming process.

GDPR and increased focus on player protection

After years of debate, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will finally be implemented on 25 May 2018. Considered to be the most important change in data privacy regulation in the last 20 years, GDPR will significantly impact the way the industry operates. Online gaming businesses will have to ensure they a system for reporting personal data breaches. Therefore, we expect GDPR to increase the focus on player protection as businesses adapt their internal privacy compliance.

There is no doubt that high-quality operators will continue looking towards jurisdiction bases which have a strong reputation in player protection. On the Isle of Man, we make sure that all licensees have a robust system in place which fully protects all player funds.

Conclusion

We are certain that this year’s ICE Expo will be as exciting and useful as the previous years. We expect to see new offerings and products, engage in interesting conversations and promote the international online gaming sector.

It is no secret that the industry has undergone a seismic change in recent years, from technological disruption to regulatory changes. The unique set of challenges and opportunities have made it more resilient and dynamic. Therefore, we remain confident about the industry’s prospects in 2018. The Isle of Man will continue to embrace innovation whilst implementing a robust strategy for the growth of our e-Gaming sector.

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