DIGITIAL ISLE OF MAN - MANILA TRIP - POGO

Summary

A request for Lyle Wraxall's diary, meeting minutes, expense receipts, and registers of interests regarding a Manila trip was partially fulfilled, with the authority disclosing flight itineraries and payment details while withholding other documents.

Key Facts

• The Department for Enterprise responded to an FOI request regarding a Digital Isle of Man trip to Manila.
• The outcome was 'Some information sent but part exempt', indicating partial disclosure.
• Disclosed documents include flight itineraries for Qatar Airways and a payment summary.
• The trip took place between October 18 and October 30, 2024.
• The total cost for the disclosed flight booking was 1189.32 GBP.

Data Disclosed

• 2024-11-05
• 2024-12-02
• 18 Oct 2024
• 29 Oct 2024
• 30 Oct 2024
• 1189.32 GBP
• 1171.32 GBP
• 18.00 GBP
• 768.00
• 34 pages
• 4 documents

Original Request

1. A copy of Lyle Wraxall's diary for the last 6 months. 2. A copy of all meeting minutes held during the period of the recent Manila trip including all attendees, location and discussions. 3. Copy of the expenses receipts for the trip. 4. Copy of the register of interests for each of the DFE boards.

Data Tables (6)

Full Response Text

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 08:00 DOH Doha,Hamad International Airport Qatar   9h 20 m Fri, 18 Oct 2024 22:20 MNL Manila,Ninoy Aquino International Airport Philippines Terminal : 3 QR 928 Boeing 777-300er Operated by: Qatar Airways ECONOMY(M)   INBOUND FLIGHT Manila ManchesterTuesday, 29 October 2024 Departure   Arrival   Checked baggage allowance Tue, 29 Oct 2024 18:30 MNL Manila,Ninoy Aquino International Airport Philippines Terminal : 3 10h 0 m Tue, 29 Oct 2024 23:30 DOH Doha,Hamad International Airport Qatar   QR 933 Boeing 777-300er Operated by: Qatar Airways ECONOMY(V) Adult: 30 kg   Connection time : 1h 55 m Wed, 30 Oct 2024 01:25 DOH Doha,Hamad International Airport Qatar   6h 40 m Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:05 MAN Manchester,Manchester Airport United Kingdom Terminal : 2 QR 021 Boeing 787-9 Operated by: Qatar Airways ECONOMY(V) Adult: 30 kg   Payment summary New booking for all travellers : 1189.32 GBP Original booking for all passengers : 1171.32 GBP Fee : 0.00 GBP Difference : 18.00 GBP Total amount paid : 18.00 GBP Price breakdown PASSENGER TYPE ADULT Fare per passenger 768.00 Taxes and carrier-imposed fees Qatar Passenger Facility Charge PFC 24.80 Carrier Imposed International Surcharge (YQAC) 206.00 Passenger Service Charge (Embarkation) (UBAS) 30.42 Qatar Passenger Service Charge Arrivals (PZAV) 2.20 Qatar Airport Fee International (QAAP) 24.80 Fiscal Tax (YRVB) 29.60 Grand total : 1189.32 GBP Air Passenger Duty (GBAD) 92.00 International Passenger Service Tax (LIDC) 7.30 Passenger Safety and Security Fee 4.20 Total Price per passenger 1189.32 Number of passengers 1 TOTAL PRICE 1189.32 For more information on baggage rules and restrictions on Qatar Airways flights, please click here.  Baggage allowance may differ for flights operated by another carrier. Please click here for more details. Should you wish to change your booking, and the originally purchased fare or booking class is not available for your new flights, difference of fare will be collected on top of the change fee if the rule permits changes. If you have a stopover in Doha, please click here for more information. An additional administrative/service fee for rebooking/cancellation may apply. When a ticket is booked with a combination of fares, the most restrictive cancellation rule will apply. Fares are not guaranteed until full payment is received and tickets are issued. Where applicable, local airport taxes will be collected at time of check-in. Additional card transaction fees may apply and is dependent on the card issuer. You should carry a copy of this booking confirmation while you travel as it may be required for immigration purposes. Remember to check your immigration and health requirements before you travel and ensure you carry the required travel documents. If you are holding a non-Qatar Airways ticket for a connection afterwards, you will need to hold immigration approval to land at the final city in your itinerary that is ticketed by Qatar Airways. In the event of any taxes, fees or charges, which you have paid to us at the time of the ticket issuance are abolished or reduced such that they no longer apply to you, or a lesser amount is due, or you have not used the relevant portion of the ticket, you will be entitled to claim a refund of those. Please be advised that in the event you do not show up for any flight without advising us in advance with minimum three hours prior to flight departure, your return or onward reservations will automatically get canceled by the system and will be subject to the applicable penalties and fees. Please read the UK border control guidelines before travelling to the United Kingdom: . For Qatar Airways Terms & Conditions, click here. National travel restrictions – you can only travel for essential reasons Whilst national restrictions are in place, you can only travel internationally from England for legally permitted reasons. This does not include holidays. You must complete a travel declaration form and carry it with you along with any evidence supporting the reason for your trip. You may be required to show the form at the port of departure. It is an offence to enter a port of departure or embarkation point without a properly completed form if you are travelling internationally. Some job related exemptions apply. You may be issued with a fixed penalty notice and directed to return home if you do not have a valid reason for travel. Important information We have partnered with leading travel industry service providers, allowing you to conveniently book services which complement your booking on our website. Please read the terms and conditions when booking partner services. Payments may be processed by the provider according to the applicable terms and conditions. Customers can contact the service provider directly for additional special requests, modifications or cancellations. This also applies to modifications or cancellations caused by changes or disruptions to your flight itinerary or similar unforeseen circumstances. Qatar Airways has no influence on the rates, or on the terms and conditions offered by our partners, and we are not responsible for these services. Please do not reply to this message. For customer support, visit qatarairways.com/help.

VISIT TO PHILIPPINES - EVENT REPORT

To:

Digital Isle of Man Board From:

Date:
25th March 2024
Subject: Philippines Knowledge Gathering Trip
OVERVIEW OF THE EVENT In response to the impending ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) scheduled for December 2024, Digital Isle of Man considered a knowledge-gathering mission to Manila.
Following conversations with businesses operating within the Island’s digital sector, it was recognised that recent regulatory changes in the Philippines affecting Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) could present a strategic opportunity for the Isle of Man. The blanket ban imposed by the Philippine regulator creates a significant displacement of the sector, meaning legitimate and high-performing businesses operating there are required to seek alternative regulatory markets. Consequently, the Isle of Man, known for its robust regulatory standards in this space, could provide this alternative for those businesses which would meet these high standards. Upon identification of this potential opportunity, Digital Isle of Man consulted with industry stakeholders to understand both the opportunities and risks posed by the regulatory change in the Philippines. A subsequent decision paper was brought to the Digital Isle of Man Board which outlined a number of considerations and proposed an initial exploratory trip to Manila to assess the viability and credibility of potential operators, alongside meeting comparative regulatory representatives in the region to enable greater collaboration and knowledge exchange. This proposal was unanimously approved by the Digital Isle of Man Board in October 2024. Given existing relationships that some Isle of Man companies maintain in this region, at this stage, the on-site exploration aims to understand the current landscape on the ground and identify any potential operators with the integrity and standards required to operate within the Isle of Man. Following a presentation to the Digital Isle of Man Board, Chief Executive Lyle Wraxall and Strategic Partnership Manager received unanimous approval to proceed with the trip. They planned to travel from 20th to 26th October 2024, with meetings initially scheduled for Tuesday, 22nd October. However, due to a weather warning in the Isle of Man, departure was delayed until Monday, 21st October, resulting in a tight schedule. Upon arrival in Manila, the team encountered additional challenges due to a red weather warning issued for Wednesday 23rd October and Thursday 24th October, caused by a typhoon. This situation necessitated the rescheduling of planned meetings. Notably, the Philippine Government was shut down during these two days. Despite these hindrances, the VISIT TO PHILIPPINES - EVENT REPORT

team managed to conduct discussions throughout the week, although the adverse weather conditions limited the overall time available for engagement.
Throughout their time in Manila, the team engaged with legal professionals, operators, software suppliers, and advisors to Government. They aimed to gather further insights on how the POGO ban would impact these stakeholders and to identify potential opportunities for the Isle of Man as a licensing jurisdiction. Despite the focus on knowledge gathering, the team identified two promising opportunities that are now being actively supported. This trip not only provided an overview of the current landscape but also revealed a willingness among stakeholders to discuss challenges, including the significant corruption issues that led to the POGO ban—an issue historically veiled in secrecy. The businesses we engaged with felt inadvertently affected by the blanket ban despite operating legally. They expressed uncertainty about the future and were considering various options to ensure continued licensed operations. The findings from this visit indicate potential opportunities for ongoing business engagement in the Philippines, suggesting a revisit for future events, such as the ASEAN Gaming Summit in March. BREAKDOWN OF COST TO ATTEND At the time of presenting this report (October 31st), we deem these figures to be accurate however further reconciliation will take place over the coming week and the Board is requested to note that minor adjustments are expected: Item Cost Travel £3,683.11 Accommodation
£3,017.80 Subsistence
£347.09 Client Meetings
£487.19 Taxi’s On/ Off-Island
£105.00 Total £7,640.19 FEEDBACK & KEY TAKEWAYS The trip began slowly due to local weather conditions, which resulted in the rescheduling of several meetings. However, through persistence, the team was able to secure additional engagements with various contacts.

Feedback from discussions was varied and highlighted some inconsistencies within the industry. Key insights include:  Despite numerous rumours regarding the regulatory landscape, it was confirmed by reliable sources that PAGCOR will not introduce any new POGO licensing structure but will continue to oversee Philippine Internet Gaming Operators (PIGOs). VISIT TO PHILIPPINES - EVENT REPORT

Additionally, PAGCOR will transition from its role as an operator to focus solely on regulatory functions. There is tentative interest in establishing a B2B licensing regime, which could present opportunities for regulator-to-regulator collaboration; however, this initiative remains in its early stages.  There will be no licensing structure permitting offshore bets to be placed in the Philippines. However, there are intentions to allow back offices and software suppliers to continue operating from within the jurisdiction under the Special Class Business Processing Office (SCBPO) framework. It is anticipated that businesses will need to employ at least 80% local nationals, meaning that many of those on visas will be expected to leave the country. Additionally, any SCBPO will require an international license from a Tier 1 jurisdiction, positioning the Isle of Man advantageously to encourage high quality businesses to license here.  Unlike previous visits, there was a notable shift in attitudes regarding openness among businesses about corruption and the efforts for course correction within the jurisdiction, both from a government and industry perspective.
 Employees currently in the jurisdiction on work visas have been instructed to downgrade their visas to tourist status and are expected to leave soon. Furthermore, POGOs are anticipated to have relocated by 31st December. Many individuals we spoke with indicated that numerous businesses have already departed.  Despite ongoing challenges, it is evident that the gaming sector remains a priority for the jurisdiction. However, PAGCOR has made it clear that offshore betting will not be permitted in the Philippines, which will have a significant economic impact.  PAGCOR appears to be struggling to consistently meet its own deadlines, which may impact future operations, and the confidence of businesses wanting to operate legitimately.  Discussions indicated that Cambodia is currently regarded as the most attractive jurisdiction for operators seeking to relocate, offering scaling opportunities and accessible immigration routes, albeit with weaker licensing standards. Thailand is also emerging as a contender, particularly near the border, but is perceived as less stable. Other countries, such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka, are less popular, while Dubai is gaining traction among larger brands. In light of these insights, we may want to consider attending a gaming conference in Dubai to explore potential opportunities for the Isle of Man. CONTACTS AND LEADS

Ahead of our visit, we contacted existing stakeholders with connections in Manila, as well as contacts made during previous visits. We initially aimed to hold 20 meetings; however, due to the weather and changes to availability, the team successfully conducted 16 meetings. From these engagements, 2 new opportunities were identified and are now being actively managed. Given the business practices in this region, we anticipate that further opportunities may arise in the future. VISIT TO PHILIPPINES - EVENT REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND KPI’s
 Conduct at least 20 meetings
16 NOT ACHIEVED  Meet with Philippine Regulator X NOT ACHIEVED  Establish at least 1 licensing opportunity 2 ACHIEVED

Despite our efforts, adverse weather in both the Isle of Man and the Philippines presented significant challenges, most notably a red weather warning in the Philippines from Wednesday and Thursday, which resulted in the rescheduling or cancellation of planned meetings. To maximise the trip's benefits, we extended it to include Monday and Tuesday of the following week, successfully holding 16 meetings. We are hopeful that those cancelled can be rescheduled as virtual meetings. Unfortunately, one meeting we could not reschedule was with the Regulator (PAGCOR). However, they plan to attend ICE in January and may also be present at SiGMA in November, providing opportunities to reschedule our discussion at one of these events. ACTIONS  to follow up on established opportunities.  to secure meeting with PAGCOR at SiGMA Malta

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624 686400) Website: https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/

Our ref: 4239641

2nd December 2024

Dear ###,

We write further to your request, received 5 November 2024, which states:

"1. A copy of Lyle Wraxall's diary for the last 6 months.

[Response truncated — full text is 22,500 characters]