Alderney Gambling Control Commission
At the turn of the century, it needed visionaries that would foresee the fast growth of online gaming and the need for reputable licensing authorities. Some people on the tiny island in the English Channel were just that. With a rich betting and gambling culture ingrained in British life, they correctly predicted the vast expansion of online casinos in the still young digital era and the subsequent need for regulations and player protections.
The result is the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, which was set up in 2000, right at the start of the online gaming boom. While the Kahnawake Gaming Commission was first globally, the Alderney commission became one of the first European licensing bodies that would advance to a respected authority within the iGaming industry and the player community alike.
The Commission, consisting of the Chairman and three members, is independent and non political. The mission is to regulate eGambling on behalf of the States of Alderney while ensuring that its regulatory and supervisory approach meets the very highest of international standards.
Since the island is neither part of the United Kingdom, nor the European Union, Alderney established itself as financial hub with favourable tax laws and subsequently as an e-commerce center that includes iGaming. Laws were passed to legalize online gambling that allows operators to set up communication networks on Alderney and Guernsey. For international links, they set-up reliable and high capacity links to the United Kingdom, Europe, the USA and Asia, providing operators with the necessary technology to offer their gaming services across the world.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission offers two types of licences. The Category 1 licence is designated for B2C (Business-to-Customers) operators, allowing them to host their operations that includes the registration and verification of players, the contractual relationship with them, and the management of player funds. In turn, the Category 2 licence, covers the B2B (Business-to-Business) segment, that authorizes gambling transactions including operational management of a gambling platform located within an approved hosting centre. Basically, either direct operator or white-label software platforms that are the backbone of any online casino.
A thorough application process for new licences ensures that any gaming operator will meet the high standards set out in the regulatory framework including provisions for responsible gambling, fair player treatment and legality and audit of games. Before a new licensees can start their operations, they need approval for their core parts such as an internal control system, the gambling equipment and software as well as their capitalization status. The latter ensures that new licensees will have the financial means to not only run their online gaming site but also that they are able to pay players.
While Alderney lost some of its importance due to the arrival of the UKGC and MGA Malta, they still have a good number of active licensees that include Digimedia (former Fortune Lounge), BGO Entertainment Ltd, Bonne Terre Ltd (SkyVegas), Daub Alderney Limited and Jumpman Gaming Limited. Plus, some developers are using an Alderney licence to offer their games such as Eyecon, Greentube (Novomatic) and Ainsworth Game Technology.