Gambling boss Bill Mummery has been included with very select company in a hall of fame for services to the betting industry.

Mr Mummery said he was honoured to receive the accolade from SBC, known as the Sports Betting Community.

Mr Mummery, executive director of Celton Manx, said: ’I’m delighted. After a very long career this really is a high point.’

And he told SBC in a message: ’Thank you very much for the recognition.’

He said the award indicated the quality of the island’s e-gaming industry was recognised worldwide.’

He said: ’You only have to look at the fact that two other recipients of this award this year are BetVictor founder Victor Chandler and the recently retired chief executive of William Hill, Ralph Topping. This indicates the high standing of the island in the e-gaming space.’

In all five new members were inducted to the Sports Betting Hall of Fame.

Despite the event moving online because of the Covid pandemic, SBC decided to go ahead with the Hall of Fame ceremony and switch it to a virtual format, in order to pay tribute to some of the most influential people in the industry’s history.

In addition to Mr Mummery, Mr Topping and Mr Chandler, the list also includes Giovanni Garrisi, StanleyBet chief executive and Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo, president of Coljuegos.

As e-gaming ambassador for the Isle of Man Government from late 2004-2007, Mr Mummery helped with the development of the island as one of the premier global jurisdictions in the industry.

Joining SBOBET in 2008, he established their European operation, Celton Manx Limited, in the Isle of Man. This has developed into a major global brand whose marketing includes the English Premier League most recently with newly promoted Leeds United.

Mr Mummery and his team at Celton Manx are putting the finishing touches to a new ’live dealer’ service at the headquarters on the Isle of Man Business Park.

As recently reported, Mr Mummery said the live studio will be an ’island first’ in the online gaming industry which accounts for more than 20% of the island’s economy.