There’s no denying that Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) is an important player in the e-gambling regulation scene. It’s one of the most acclaimed and prestigious licensing authorities in the world. If your casino of choice holds an Alderney gambling license, consider yourself fortunate because it’s a staple of quality that confirms the casino’s worth. 

alderney gambling control commission

Founded in 2000, the Commission carries out its regulatory and supervision activities on behalf of the States of Alderney. The Island of Alderney is a small island located in the English Channel. In addition to the Chairman, the AGCC has three other members. 

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission is guided by three legislation acts (and their respective amendments):

  • The Gambling Law (1999);
  • The Alderney eGambling Ordinance (2009);
  • The Alderney eGambling Regulations (2009).

Advantages

The Alderney gambling jurisdiction has no shortage of benefits for both gambling operators and players.

  • With 20+ years’ experience in e-gambling regulation, the AGCC has fine-tuned its work to perfection and built strong and fruitful relationships with governments, gambling operators, casino software suppliers, and other market players. Plus, the AGCC is a long-term member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators.  
  • AGCC provides a safe and efficient environment for gambling operators without suffocating them with too many regulations.
  • The application process that the AGCC has in place is clear and transparent, with guidance provided every step of the way. The Commission offers a variety of licenses (B2B, B2C, Associate Certificate) that fit any type of gambling activity. 
  • AGCC license enables gambling operators to work on a global scale and enter new promising markets.
  • AGCC is always on the guard of player interests, taking a vast array of steps to ensure that casino enthusiasts are treated the right way.

Objectives

The AGCC pursues the following objectives:

  • cement the reputation of Alderney as a top-of-the-range e-gambling regulatory jurisdiction;
  • make sure that all e-gambling services are provided in compliance with the applicable laws;
  • protect e-gambling from criminal threats;
  • make sure electronic gambling does not pose a threat to underage users and other categories of individuals;
  • collaborate with other agencies to further develop and support e-gambling.

Player protection

Like any regulatory agency, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission is heavily focused on protecting and enforcing player rights. 

  • The AGCC investigates into the background of gambling operators, e.g. verifies the sources of their funding.
  •  The AGCC handles complaints from players who are not happy with how online casinos and other gambling operators are treating them.
  • The AGCC assesses the fairness and integrity of gambling algorithms and systems.

Furthermore, it’s compulsory that AGCC licensees keep an amount of funds corresponding to the total sum of players’ funds (deposits, bonuses. etc.) separately from other funds which are used to run the gambling business. Plus, the Commission demands that its licensees warn players of the consequences of their gambling business going bankrupt and being unable to fulfill financial obligations to its clients. 

Licensing

The AGCC only deals with licensing e-gambling operators and doesn’t issue licenses to land-based facilities. If a business provides remote gambling services from a server in Alderney, they need a license issued by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. It’s important that all AGCC licensees have their servers housed in hosting centers approved by the AGCC.

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission currently issues the following types of licenses:

  • e-gambling licenses (including temporary licenses);
  • associate certificates;
  • hosting certificates.

The e-gambling license comes in two categories:

  • Category 1 License enables a gambling business to organize e-gambling operations, e.g. register new players, manage player money, and so on. 
  • Category 2 License enables to manage and operate an igaming platform located on a hosting center greenlit by the AGCC.

To apply for an AGCC license, a gambling operator must submit an application form and related documents (whether in electronic or physical form). Plus, an applicant must pay a deposit charged by the Commission as a fee for processing their application. A fee for Category 1 and 2 Licenses is 10.000 British pounds. If you’re applying for an associate certificate, the deposit is 5,000 British pounds. License applications take 4-12 weeks to process which is faster compared to other gambling jurisdictions.

Before a licensee can start providing gambling services, the AGCC needs to approve the following:

  • Internal Control system. It’s a document that details all internal business processes related to the operation of a gambling business.
  • Gambling equipment. One of the key responsibilities of the Commission is to make sure that its licensees are using fair gambling equipment that generates unbiased outcomes. All gaming software used on the igaming platform must be put subject to independent testing. The Commission itself hand-picks independent testing laboratories to audit the gambling equipment of its licensees.
  • Finances. The AGCC needs to make sure that the gambling operator’s cash flow exceeds the total amount of money held in players’ accounts and the operator’s total assets exceed total liabilities by at least 25%. 

AGCC licensees must comply with a vast array of rules and requirements, e.g. use fair gambling equipment, ban underage users from gambling, make game rules freely available to customers, respect the limits set by the player, and so on. 

If a player believes that an AGCC licensee is not treating them fairly, they’re asked to contact the license first. If the player is not satisfied with how the gambling operator has handled their complaint, they can file a complaint with the Commission. A Commission employee will then contact the licensee and do their best to settle the dispute between the player and the casino. If such efforts bear no fruit, the Executive Director of the Commission will launch a fully-fledged investigation on the matter. An officer of the Commission will look into the subject of the complaint and come up with a possible solution to the dispute.