Casino License: Alderney Gambling Control Commission
With potential changes in international law to crack down on offshore tax havens, Alderney has pursued other ways of attracting and retaining operators. It became the first modern iGaming jurisdiction to have its own custom-made cloud platform, and has invested in state-of-the-art data storage, telecommunications and security to provide cost-effective solutions to operators and make it easier for new start-ups.
Some say the Casino Veteran once raced a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 across the Channel Islands without taking a boat. Others believe he is the only man alive who can smell the difference between a Jaguar and a Bentley.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission
It may have been during one of the Casino Veteran’s many classic car adventures that he discovered the charms of Alderney. With a population of only around 2,000 residents and a comparatively underdeveloped infrastructure, it may be easy to overlook for many. As a savvy online gambling aficionado, however, the Casino Veteran knows that this remote little island, only 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, has laid claim in the past to transmitting more internet eGambling traffic than any other locale on the globe, including the collective activity of its three main European offshore rivals – Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and Malta.
The British Channel Islands themselves are self-governing dependencies of the Crown but are not technically part of either the UK or the EU. Alderney, the third largest of the islands, has its own government, legislature and company laws. The Channel Islands have established themselves as e-commerce centres of excellence and offer modern hosting facilities and reliable telecommunication networks, drawing a large number of new online casinos and other gambling sites. Some of the Casino Veteran’s favourite online institutions that offer the best free spins and no deposit bonuses operate under Alderney’s jurisdiction.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) was established in 2000 as an independent and non-political regulator of eGambling. Its goal is to provide regulation and supervision that meets the very highest international standards.
It provides numerous types of licences and certificates, depending on the nature of the operator, with all applications being thoroughly investigated and assessed. Before submitting an application, the operator must form an Alderney registered company and publish a notice of application in the Alderney Gazette. Following receipt of the application, a meeting must then be held with the Director of Regulatory Operations to discuss the proposed business plan and operations, third-party associates, and the corporate entities and key individuals involved.
Even after a successful application, there are further checks before a licensee can begin operations. They must have an approved internal control system (which outlines all their relevant internal procedures), approved and independently tested gambling equipment, and documentary evidence of how the company was initially funded, along with assurances that the company will always be adequately financed to protect players’ money. Annual audits are in place to ensure continuing good practice and financial health.
Future developments
Alderney has had a rather conservative approach with a focus on prioritising tight regulations over fast growth, but has still enjoyed great success when it comes to the online gambling and gaming industries. It is at the centre of work to establish a multi-national agreement and collaboration between gaming boards and the sharing of resources.
Checking licensees
When it comes to eGambling, there are temporary licences available and then two main types of licence. A “category 1” licence is for business to customer (B2C) activities – including organising and preparing gambling operations, managing contractual relationships with customers, verification and registration of players, and the management of player funds. A “category 2” licence is for business to business (B2B) activities, so you may find that your interaction is with a category 1 operator but the games that you’re playing may actually be hosted by a category 2 business. It is also possible for an operator to hold both licences and manage everything in-house.
If you’re thinking of signing up to one of the online casinos based in Alderney, the Casino Veteran advises that it’s important to check not only their terms and conditions but also that they are legitimate and fully licensed. The AGCC website has an online register of operators with existing eGambling licences, and although it is not the most sophisticated tool, it is still worth checking before you make a decision about who to trust with your money. Generally, Alderney’s conservative approach and strict rules mean that you should be fairly confident in dealing with an AGCC-licensed operator.
Some say the Casino Veteran is the only person in the world to own a three-headed coin. Others say he once bet on snake eyes on the roll of a single dice. And won.