The money followed the tightening of a policy designed to raise funds for the Jersey Gambling Commissions’ Social Responsibility Panel.
Until last year the panel, which was set up as the Commission has a responsibility to protect children and other vulnerable Islanders from addiction to gambling, ran a voluntary opt-in annual charge for betting shops.
However, half-way through 2014 it became a mandatory fee.
Betting shops are charged £250 per year plus an annual fee of £100 for each betting machine.
The proceeds – just over £21,000 – are due to be used by the panel to help gambling addicts and educate the community about the dangers of gambling.
The Commission, which published figures in its annual report on Tuesday, is responsible for the licensing, registration and regulation of gambling activities in the Island.
The report did not record the overall annual value of Jersey’s gambling industry but the Commission’s chief executive told the JEP that those figures may be included in future reports.
Talking about funds collected by the Social Responsibility Panel, the report added: ‘The most significant development in the work of the Social Responsibility Panel was a regulatory change by the Commission, which has made it mandatory for bookmakers operating in the Island to pay into the dedicated Social Responsibility Fund.
‘That change took place midway through the year, and as a result, the panel has an increased budget with which to fund its work.
‘Early talks have taken place with the Health Department about ways in which we could work together to deliver better support for compulsive gamblers and better education to the wider community.’
The report also welcomed UK e-gaming law reform last year that ended the so-called ‘white list system’ that stopped companies in Jersey from marketing online gaming services to the UK market.
‘The reforms in the UK have effectively opened up the possibilities of an e-gaming industry developing here,’ the JGC’s report said.
The Commission also said it had seen a rise in the level of interest and inquiries from firms looking to set up in the Island following the legislative change and said that there had been an associated increase in the JGC’s workload in explaining the requirements of Jersey’s regime.
‘I think it really depends on how the first few licencees find the regulatory approach and what the Island gives them as a business.
‘At the end of the day contented business is the best marketing tool you can have.’
The Commission’s report said it was not their place to promote the Island as an e-gaming jurisdiction but added that the States should consider employing a director of remote gambling to fill that role.
