Reply to: Permie job for company with HQ in Cyprus

[JustKeepSwimming]

I worked for one of the main high street gambling firms about ten years ago and some of the management's relationship with suppliers suggested to me they, at best, had gone native or at worst were 'induced' to ensure continued business no matter what they did or didn't deliver. Going back even further I worked for an American start up in the dot com boom that came to the UK to get round the US gambling laws. I heard afterwards one of the directors was investigated for money laundering.

It can be a murky business so stay away if something smells slightly off.

It's a business that relies almost exclusively on intentional exploitation of vulnerable people. It's no different to being senior leader at a tobacco company, you have to be a little wrong in the head. If you can sleep easy whilst profiting from human death, then victimless money laundering is child's play.

[SussexSeagull]

I worked for one of the main high street gambling firms about ten years ago and some of the management's relationship with suppliers suggested to me they, at best, had gone native or at worst were 'induced' to ensure continued business no matter what they did or didn't deliver. Going back even further I worked for an American start up in the dot com boom that came to the UK to get round the US gambling laws. I heard afterwards one of the directors was investigated for money laundering.

It can be a murky business so stay away if something smells slightly off.

[Lance]

an unusual location for the gambling industry.
Most are UK based with branches, and 3rd party suppliers, in Isle of Man, Gibraltar (UK general rules but exempt from some gambling legislation).

Cyprus = dodgy Russian money. IMO.

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

[dsc]

I'm pretty sure most normal people would seek to clarify the "probably" before jumping straight to that decision.
I'm also sure many of them would consider (many) other aspects before making their decision purely on one aspect - that may or may not have a bearing on another factor that could, apparently, affect the decision.

Hyperbole rules!

Yup fair enough, let me rephrase that then: I'd probably not hope for much salary-wise, but probe anyway

[JustKeepSwimming]

I'd pass purely based on the fact that the HQ is based in Cyprus ie. probably doesn't offer much in terms of salary vs average salaries on the UK market.

Gambling companies operate under flags of convience. I don't think the salaries of the people closest to the brass plate has much bearing.

[Dactylion]

I'd pass purely based on the fact that the HQ is based in Cyprus ie. probably doesn't offer much in terms of salary vs average salaries on the UK market.

I'm pretty sure most normal people would seek to clarify the "probably" before jumping straight to that decision.
I'm also sure many of them would consider (many) other aspects before making their decision purely on one aspect - that may or may not have a bearing on another factor that could, apparently, affect the decision.

Hyperbole rules!

[dsc]

I'd pass purely based on the fact that the HQ is based in Cyprus ie. probably doesn't offer much in terms of salary vs average salaries on the UK market.

[Snooky]

UK rules are not very strict.

Having some resources in the UK does not make them 'based' in the UK. Most of the UK brands aren't based in the UK for licensing purposes.

Indeed. A friend of mine is a UK employee of a well-known large betting company based outside the UK, in fact she manages their global payroll. No legal or tax problems for her, as far as I'm aware.

[JustKeepSwimming]

You end up falling within the very strict rules of the UK rather than elsewhere.

If a company wanted to be party to the UK rules then you are based in the UK like Bet365 and similar firms are...

There is a reason why a company may wish to be based outside the UK and there are consequences of doing so....

UK rules are not very strict.

Having some resources in the UK does not make them 'based' in the UK. Most of the UK brands aren't based in the UK for licensing purposes.

[jamesbrown]

If they have a UK presence and payroll (apparently not), it will be straightforward. Otherwise, you'll need a payroll provider or to set up a DPNI scheme yourself:

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-man...nual/paye20100

[PCTNN]

You end up falling within the very strict rules of the UK rather than elsewhere.

If a company wanted to be party to the UK rules then you are based in the UK like Bet365 and similar firms are...

There is a reason why a company may wish to be based outside the UK and there are consequences of doing so....

So, they know I'm based in the UK from my application. If as you say they are a smart company, they won't call me back. If they still call me back, it's likely they're trying to pull something dodgy

[eek]

How so? UK gambling sector is easily the most advanced and mature in the world, with the exception of the land based cities like Vegas and Macau.

You end up falling within the very strict rules of the UK rather than elsewhere.

If a company wanted to be party to the UK rules then you are based in the UK like Bet365 and similar firms are...

There is a reason why a company may wish to be based outside the UK and there are consequences of doing so....

[JustKeepSwimming]

It's a very foolish gambling / gaming company that takes on staff working in the UK..

How so? UK gambling sector is easily the most advanced and mature in the world, with the exception of the land based cities like Vegas and Macau.

[eek]

It's a very foolish gambling / gaming company that takes on staff working in the UK..

[northernladuk]

First question I'd ask you is are you serious about this role. Is it too good to pass up or is it OK'ish and you are having a sniff. If it's the latter I'd just drop it and move on. Far to much risk and then there is actually doing the job itself. Its going to be beyond tedious just doing the same thing from home for a company where you'll probably never see another colleague. Very little motivation to do it for the company and all that. The only reason I could see for going for something like this is the ludicrous pay/benefits. If they aren't there I can't see why you'd expose yourself to monotonously boring job like this. We haven't even got in to the risks of it being abroad and all that. I am absolutely certain there is a solution to be paid etc but the actual job sounds terrible.

If it is far too juicy to pass up I'd then ask is it TOO juicy. If something looks too good to be true that's when alarm bells should really start ringing.

So far too complex to touch unless you are desparate for the role IMO.

Anything else I may be forgetting?

That you are a contractor. Stop looking at perm roles you loser
And that this is a contractor UK site, not a perm cyprus one.