Alderney is the third largest of the Channel Islands, and is part of the Balliwick of Guernsey. As self governing dependencies of the British Crown, The Channel Islands have their own laws and government, and are known as one of the world's leading offshore finance centres.

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) was established in May 2000 to regulate eGambling and license operators based both in Alderney and internationally. It aims to ensure that all eGambling activities are carried out fairly, protect the interests of players, and promote world class standards throughout the industry.

One license to cover them all

The AGCC takes pride in being one of the first authorities in the industry to adopt a risk-based approach to regulating and licensing operators. This means that instead of a blanket set of rules that must be adhered to by every company, rules and regulations are only applied if they are relevant to the specific business and the markets it operates in. This is more efficient for operators and makes it easier to offer their services to multiple markets. Additionally, one license from AGCC covers all types of gambling activities, and the process of obtaining one is relatively fast and straightforward. There is even a dedicated website aimed at potential applicants, which provides a wealth of information in order to help them understand the regulations and to apply for a license.

How to check a license

The AGCC keeps a register of all licensed companies and operators, and this can be viewed by appointment at the offices of the commission. It is also possible to check the current register of eGambling licenses and certificates on the website to confirm that a business is operating with a legitimate license.

Player complaints

The commission states that part of the responsibilities of its licensees are to:

• Only use approved eGambling equipment
• Only allow registered users to play
• Restrict play to those over the age of 18
• Make sure that the rules of each game are made available before play
• Adhere to any limits set by the player to restrict their gambling activities

If a player believes that a company has not operated in accordance with these criteria, they must first submit a complaint directly to the operator in question. If it is felt that the outcome of the dispute raised with the operator is not acceptable, the player can then escalate the matter by submitting a formal complaint to the AGCC.

To do so, the player can make use of an online form, or contact the commission in writing by post or e-mail.

Playing it safe

The commission states that operators are tightly controlled, and subject to checks regarding their background and source of funding. The gambling systems used by licensees are also tested rigorously to ensure fairness and security, and their advertising and marketing policies are regularly reviewed.

With regards to player protection, it is also part of the conditions of the license that operators must have certain internal controls and operating procedures in place to reduce the risks associated with gambling addiction. Players must be able to apply limits to the amount they can deposit, lose or wager, as well as have the ability to self-exclude. There is not currently any process in place that enables exclusion from all AGCC licensed companies at the same time.

Contact Information

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

Address: St. Anne's House, Queen Elizabeth II Street, Alderney, Channel Islands, GY9 3TB

Tel: + 44 (0)1481 825500

E-mail: info@agcc.gg

Website: https://www.gamblingcontrol.org/