Gambling Regulation
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) was established in May 2000 to oversee the regions online gambling activities. These activities are quite extensive and cover a larger degree of internet traffic than all of its closest offshore rivals, those being Gibraltar, Isle of Man, and Malta.
Alderney is the northernmost British Channel Island. It is a self-governed dependency of the crown but is not a part of the UK or the European Union. The tiny island is no more than 3 miles across and is populated by no more than 2,000 people. You might wonder then where they find a client base, but in fact they do not struggle at all.
Alderney is one of the few whitelisted jurisdictions that are not a part of the UK or the European Economic Area that is privileged enough to advertise their services in the UK, which holds the largest contingent of online gamblers in the world.
Mission
The Alderney Regulator has a strict mandate to ensure that it adheres to its mission of:
Ensuring that all electronic gambling is conducted honestly and fairly and in compliance with good governance.
Ensuring that all funding, management, and operation of electronic gambling remains free of criminality.
Ensuring that Electronic gambling is regulated and monitored to protect the interests of under-aged and vulnerable players.
The Commission is more interested in making sure that it runs a tight ship, rather than issuing multitudes of licences. The main objective of the regulator is to both protect the reputation of Alderney and attract world-class operators.
Licensing
The licensing procedures are a rigorous affair, which is a good thing for players. The stricter the vetting process on casinos, the more reliable and safer the operator will be.
There are one of two licences on offer through the regulator. The first is a B2C (Business to consumer/casino) permit and the other is a B2B (Business to Business/provider or administrator) licence.
The initial stage of licensing involves the assessment of the business model, which includes a full look at:
- Key Individuals in the business
- Business Registration
- A workable Business Plan
- Corporate Entities involved
- Financial Records
Once the business is deemed to be a viable fit for the jurisdiction, a licence will be issued upon the payment of a fee. Licensing fees are not modelled in this guide, as they are measured on a sliding scale, depending on the revenue generated and a few other contributing factors. You can have a thorough look at the fees structures here.
The second part of the approval process has to do with the service mechanisms in place and the auditing thereof. At this stage, the AGCC will have to test and approve the operators:
- Internal Control System (ICS)
- Gambling Equipment
- Capitalisation Status
Once the licence is granted, it is valid for an indefinite period, with an annual renewal fee payable each year.
Taxation
One of the very reasons that casinos find the Alderney district the perfect place to establish a casino operation is because the tax laws are so favourable there.
In Alderney, casinos pay no corporate tax, no gambling duty, and no VAT. The income tax rate is a set 20% with maximum caps of:
- £220,000 per year on Guernsey-sourced income.
- £110,000 per year on non-Guernsey-sourced income.
Benefits for Casinos Holding an Alderney Licence
Protection: Legislation around gambling sets a definite foundation upon which to build a safe and secure framework for service delivery. As such, casino operators can find safety through regulation.
Exposure: Licensing through AGCC provides exposure to several gaming regions, such as England, the USA, and others. This increases each operator’s potential market share.
Tax Breaks: The favourable tax laws are a definite drawcard and advantage for online operators wanting to set up shop in this jurisdiction.
Status: The level of regulation offered by the Alderney Gaming Control Commission is world-renowned. Therefore, being licensed to carry their mark reflects positively on the provider.
Benefits for Players playing at Casinos from this jurisdiction
Safe Gambling: AGCC ensures that all of their casinos have state of the art security in place to protect all customer data files so that sensitive information cannot be leaked over the web. Other forms of security are found in the fact that all AGCC casinos must have protocols in place to identify and protect underage gambling and vulnerable players.
Recourse: AGCC takes customer complaints very seriously and will conduct thorough investigations into allegations of a serious nature. Players can rest easy in the fact that they have due recourse for any unfair treatment received from licensed casinos.
Superior Games Provision: Top online casino software is made available to casino operators licensed by AGCC. This means that players can expect a superior gaming experience, which includes a healthy list of casino games by names like Net Entertainment, Microgaming, Playtech, Play’n GO, Quickspin, Evolution Gaming, and more.
Top Casinos Regulated by Alderney Gambling Control Commission
There are a number of great casinos available under the AGCC licence to offer you high-quality gaming. The 2 casinos listed below are guaranteed to offer you fully regulated content.
LeoVegas Casino, a renowned award-winning operator, boasts a collection of over 1,000 games, round-the-clock customer support, and a plethora of bonus opportunities.
Experience the excitement of online casino gaming with 888 Casino, a leading global operator known for its generous bonuses and diverse selection of engaging games.
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The Alderney Gambling Control Commission is well-known for its strict and rigorous licensing procedures. It all forms part of the premium quality service that the regulator demands the public. It, therefore, ensures that all casinos registered there are from the top drawer and meet the requirements.
CasinoWow strongly recommends enjoying your favourite casino games on an AGCC site if you wish to experience a premium gambling experience.