Alderney is one of the British Channel Islands, and while they are dependencies of the British Crown, they are self-governed, meaning their legislation and law differ to that passed in British Parliament. Due to the self-governing laws, gaming regulation falls not with the UK Gambling Commission, but instead with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, often abbreviated to the AGCC.
About The Alderney Gambling Control Commission
Founded in 2000, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission is an independent, non-political body that regulates gambling operations in Alderney, as they are also responsible for handing out licenses. There are two types of license that the AGCC can award. The first is a category 1 license for business-to-customer operations (i.e. online casinos offering games to players).
The second is a category 2 license that is a business-to-business license, which would, for example, be needed for software companies renting their games to online casinos. Both licenses are hard to obtain, and come with strict requirements to ensure all law and financial legislation is followed. The AGCC are known for being one of the strictest licensing bodies on the planet, and they have no qualms in revoking licenses or bringing forward prosecution if they feel a casino is operating unethically or illegally.
Casinos Regulated By The AGCC
There are currently over 200 different casinos regulated by the AGCC, and you can find a full list of these casinos here, on the official Alderney Gambling Control Commission website. Some of the most notable names to hold a license include Paddy Power, Mr. Green Casino, Sky Vegas, Vera & John Casino, Pink Casino and 888 Casino.
Rules, Regulations, And Provisos Of An Alderney Gambling Control Commission License
Getting a license in itself is no easy measure with the Commission’s website clearly stating that they will only consider a license if the operator has previous history, is licensed in a reputable jurisdiction and can prove the company is in good financial holdings. In general, licenses are hard to obtain – say the Commission themselves – and for operators who do wish to obtain a license, there are strict rules and requirements that must be followed with some of the key ones listed below:
ADVERTISING GUIDELINES
Any casino wanting to apply for a license must ensure all their advertising is truthful and accurate. The Commission state that gambling-related adverts must be targeted solely towards adults (18+), and this must be displayed clearly in all the marketing material. It’s also up to the casino to ensure they are promoting their operations in countries where online gambling is legal.
PAYOUT OF PRIZE MONIES
In order to receive a license, a gaming operator MUST have funding in place to be able to pay for all current and reasonable estimates in terms of player payouts. The casino must ensure they run their operation with adequate funding in mind, which essentially means any operator wishing for a license has to demonstrate they can always cover player’s funds, as well as running their business alongside.
ANTI-MONEY-LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
One of the biggest factors in whether a casino is granted a license by the AGCC or not is their handling of Alderney’s anti money-laundering laws. The casino has various responsibilities to ensure players aren’t money-laundering, as this includes verifying customers, as well as funding sources when required.
Complaints Procedure
The AGCC state that players should always exhaust all available avenues to try and resolve any disputes with a casino without involving the commission. This typically means trying to reach an agreement with the casino directly. However, when talks deteriorate, or if the player feels he/she isn’t getting an adequate or fair result, they can contact the AGCC themselves, at which point the Commission open a preliminarily investigation to determine whether the player has grounds for complaint.
Checking If A License Is Valid
Checking whether a casino holds a valid AGCC license is simple, as casinos with a license must display details of their license number on the footer of their website, as well as in their terms and conditions. If in doubt, you can read the full list of licensed casinos here.
Contact Details
You can contact the AGCC using their form on their website, found here, or using any of the contact details below:
- Address: The Alderney Gambling Control Commission, St Anne’s House, Queen Elizabeth II Street, Alderney, Channel Islands, GY9 3TB
- Telephone: + 44 (0)1481 825 500
- Fax: + 44 (0)1481 823 978
- Email: info@agcc.gg