Alderney

Founded over a decade ago, Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) now represents one of the most prolific licensing jurisdictions in Europe. Assembled by a single Chairman and three administrative members, AGCC is independent from the State Government and honors licenses in accordance with guidelines set out by the EU Commission. Statutory commission Guernsey Financial Services oversee all activity in Alderney pertaining to tax and fair play, however AGCC manages all considerations and grants for e-gaming licensing applications.

Third largest of the English Channel Islands, Alderney lies at the mouth of the English Channel, 60 miles from England and just 8 from the French coast. Geographically, Alderney is regarded a British territory; a constituent of the Bailiwick of Guernsey island enclave and amenable to its own national laws / Parliament. Alderney Gambling Control Commission was one of the first offshore operations dedicated solely to the provision of remote UK licensing and regulation. Prior to 2000, UK companies sought licensing from the Gambling Commissioner of Gibraltar, far more expensive and designed for Europe as a whole, as opposed to the complex system of the UK.

AGCC offer two formats of licensing – either temporary for up to one year, or permanent for a period of five years. Licenses are granted under the amended Alderney Gambling Law 1999 and The Alderney eGambling Ordinance of 2006 for operations in Guernsey, valid for both Europe and the UK. AGCC's application criteria stipulates licensees must agree to regular compliance testing and audits if awarded certification. Licensees must also agree to operate in accordance with section 22(3)(b) of the Alderney eGambling Ordinance, 2009, guidelines set out for the preparation of an ICS (Internal Control System) and Guidelines for Hosting Facilities. A provisional deposit of £10,000 is required for the interim investigation, followed by an approval of gambling equipment deposit for £5,000. A Category 1 eGambling License for first-time licensees will cost £35,000, valid for a period of one year.

Each application is reviewed on a singular basis, taking into consideration locale, hosting provider and software integration. A license may be refused for relatively simple reasons, including inadequate site security, laundering concerns and site glitches. Unlike the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, AGCC do not impose restrictions on applications from non blue chip companies and consider each on its own merit. As of 2011, AGCC have issued licenses for over 100 gaming operatives, including Mecca Bingo, Sky Poker and Golden Palace Casino, along with blue chip companies Gala (Alderney) and Interactive (C.J) Sports Limited.

Alderney Gambling Control Commission made headlines in October 2011 after their decision to revoke licensing for Full-Tilt Poker. Media reports suggest the gaming giant deliberately misled AGCC regarding financial performance. Full-tilt have since been accused of conspiracy to commit wire and securities fraud – both cited as credible enough by AGCC to warrant complete license revocation.