Figures show important of e-Gaming sector

Almost 700 people will be employed in e-Gaming in the Isle of Man by the end of this year.

Answering questions in the House of Keys today (Tuesday), Economic Development Minister John Shimmin confirmed 645 people currently worked in the sector, with the number set to rise to 693 by the end of December.

At the end of October, just under one-in-six, or 111, of those employed in e-Gaming were from the European Economic Area and required work permits.

Mr Shimmin was asked by South Douglas MHK Kate Beecroft to provide salary figures for the non-Manx workers.

He told her half earned more than £50,000, around 40 per cent had salaries between £25,000 and £50,000 and the rest earned under £25,000 per year.

Mr Shimmin said another 57 of those employed in the sector were from outside the EEA and had been granted permission to work under the Overseas Labour Scheme, or the points-based system which replaced it.

Mr Shimmin said he couldn't provide salary figures for those workers, but told the Keys the entry criteria required a high level of skills, qualifications and experience, and so salaries were likely to be relatively high.