Alderney Gambling Control Commission The Gold Standard in Online Gaming Regulation
Alderney may be a small locale in the Channel Islands just north of France, but it is one of the leading hubs when it comes to online gambling regulation. The Alderney Gambling Control Commission is responsible for a number of licenses around the world, serving as an independent and non-political body.
Since its inception at the turn of the millennium, the AGCC has maintained a reputation for its rigorous standards and robust regulatory framework, ensuring that operators adhere to the highest levels of integrity and fairness in the industry.
- Jurisdiction: Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- Website: https://www.gamblingcontrol.org/
- Address: St Anne’s House, Queen Elizabeth II Street, Alderney, Channel Islands, GY9 3TB
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +44 1481 825500
- Founded: 2000
- Register an Online Casino Complaint: https://www.gamblingcontrol.org/player-complaints/submit-a-complaint/
- Rating:
How Does Alderney Gambling Control Commission Operate?
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission is a regulatory body set up in May 2000. AGCC regulates eGambling on behalf of Alderney. This ensures that the regulatory and supervisory approach meets the highest standards internationally. The body has a mission to maintain the integrity and fairness of live casinos and online gambling businesses within Alderney. To do this, it ensures that all aspects of online gambling services are delivered in accordance with high industry standards.
The AGCC also focuses on funding, gains payoffs, software performed processes, and so on. It also protects the interests of online players from any sort of criminal influence, and the Commission is currently chaired by Lord Faulkner of Worcester. Any operator providing services that breach the rules included within an AGCC gaming license faces tough measures from the regulatory body, as it is one of the strictest jurisdictions in terms of gambling regulations.
License Requirements of Alderney Gambling Control Commission
As is the case with any reputable regulator, the AGCC requires any operator seeking out a license from it to complete and pass a selection of rigorous checks. This ensures that they are fit to operate within the iGaming industry. Thus, operators and the games they seek to provide must go through extensive vetting and testing to make sure they are providing a fair and reliable service.
The steps an operator has to take to acquire a license from Alderney Gambling Control Commission start with the completion of an application form. This should include any appendices. At the same time, applicants need to form an Alderney-registered company and publish a notice of application in the Alderney Gazette. All necessary forms can be found on the Alderney Gambling Control Commission website.
Within the application to the AGCC, an operator should include:
- A signed copy of the application form and any relevant documents to support such.
- Payment to the AGCC of £10,000 to support the processing of the application.
Once the application has been received by the AGCC and processed, the Director of Regulatory Operations will arrange a meeting with the applicant. This will help them to understand more about the following:
- The business plan and the proposed gambling operations of the company.
- Any potential business and executive associates, as well as third-party software providers.
- Any corporate entities involved in the application, as well as persons who may need to submit applications for key individual certificates.
It is after this that the Commission assesses the application and makes the determination on whether to issue a license.
Navigating the Complaints Procedure of the Gambling Regulator
If you have a problem with any online casino that holds an iGaming license from the AGCC, then you have a few routes to take to complain. First, you need to speak with the casino in question on the issue you have. They may be able to resolve the situation without you needing to reach out to the licensing body. All online casinos should offer a high standard of customer support to players throughout the week.
If this route does not result in a positive outcome, then you can issue a complaint to AGCC. Filing a complaint with the regulatory body is simple. You just need to visit the official website and under the ‘Players’ tab, you click on Submit a Complaint. This loads a form for you to fill out with your details and the problem with the casino. Sites like this can have a variety of issues, although they often fit into more common categories, such as: prize disputes, bet outcome disputes, technical issues, disputes on bonuses, customer service complaints or an operator voiding your bets.
After you submit your complaint, the Commission will establish contact with the licensee and you. An attempt to resolve the dispute will then take place. If this is unsuccessful, a full investigation will take place under the order of the Executive Director of the AGCC.
Types of Licenses Available at AGCC
The AGCC issues two different types of gambling licenses to online operators. They are as follows:
- Category 1 License: This regulates the structure and organization of gambling operations, covering the registration and verification of players, the legal relationship with them, and the way in which player funds are stored and managed.
- Category 2 License: This regulates gaming transactions, including where the games are stored and hosted, as well as the operational management of the gaming platform(s) utilized by operators.
An applicant looking for a license from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission can apply for one or both of these, with each application being subject to the same rigorous research and auditing. Different AGCC fees are in place for these licenses and their renewals as follows:
| License | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 eGambling License | Any licensee who has no previous Category 1 licensing activity in Alderney for its first year |
£17,500
|
| Category 1 eGambling License | For any new application which does not satisfy the criteria set out in the above | £35,000 |
| Category 1 eGambling License (Bands A to G) | For renewal by a licensee, depending upon their net gaming yield | £35,000 - £400,000 |
| Category 1 eGambling License | Annual Gambling Business Association Fee | £3,000 per gambling business associate |
| Category 2 eGambling License | Any licensee who has no previous Category 2 licensing activity in Alderney for its first year | £17,500 |
| Category 2 eGambling License | For any new application which does not satisfy the above-mentioned criteria | £35,000 |
| Category 2 eGambling License | For renewal by the license | £35,000 |
| Category 2 eGambling License | Annual Gambling Business Association Fee | £3,000 per gambling business associate |
How to Find Out If a Casino Is Certified by this Regulator
If you want to know about the licensing status of an online casino claiming to be certified by Alderney, then you can do so in one of two ways. Usually, you can scroll down to the bottom of any website and see the seal of the AGCC, UKGC, MGA, GGC and other regulators on display, highlighting its licensed status.
If this is not present, or you simply want further confirmation, you can go to the AGCC website. Under the ‘Current Licenses & Certificates’ header, you can find details of all operators currently licensed by the body.
Follow these steps to confirm the status of an online casino claiming to be licensed by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission:
01
Scroll down to the footer of the casino to find the seal of the AGCC on display.
02
Go to the AGCC website, hover over the ‘Current Licenses & Certificates’ tab, and click ‘eGambling Licensees’.
Benefits and Disadvantages of AGCC
The biggest benefit of holding a license from the Alderney licensing jurisdiction is the fact that it is one of the most respectable and reliable bodies in the iGaming industry for this. The AGCC doesn’t hand out licenses here, there and everywhere. It picks only the most reputable and trustworthy operators to provide licenses to, and these licensees are regularly reviewed as well. Thus, players can feel confident in an online casino holding an Alderney license to provide them with a secure, high-quality, comfortable experience. The AGCC take strict action against any operator breaching the rules of their contract.
- Reliable and trustworthy regulator
- Conducts regular reviews of its licensees, ensuring they are complying with regulations and conditions
- Takes effective action against any operator breaching the rules of their license
- Licenses can be expensive to acquire, especially for smaller operators
High-Quality Casinos Regulated by Alderney Gambling Control Commission
Any online casino operator would likely think themselves fortunate to hold a license from the AGCC. It is at the apex of the world’s leading gambling regulators, holding a solid reputation within the industry. While many online casinos are licensed by the Commission, these are owned by just a few specific operators. Jumpman Gaming is the largest of these, providing around 100 Alderney-licensed online casino sites.
FAQ
How Much Does an Alderney Gambling License Cost?
It costs £10,000 for an operator’s gambling license application to be processed by the AGCC. Then, if they are successful, a fee of between £17,500 and £35,000 per category license is necessary, which secures the license for one year.
How Many Operators Hold eGaming Licenses from the AGCC?
Just over 30 operators currently possess licenses from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, although many of these provide multiple online casinos and gambling sites.
What Types of Licenses Does the AGCC Offer?
The AGCC offers a Category 1 license, regulating the structure and organization of gambling operations, and a Category 2 license, regulating gaming transactions.
When Did the Alderney Gambling Control Commission Start Operating?
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission was founded in May of 2000.
