ONLINE CASINO LICENSES

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission had issued its first three gaming licenses in 2002, due to their very thorough application process.

The following three applicant companies were:
Littlewoods Ltd.
Ritz Interactive Ltd
WagerWorks Alderney Ltd

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) claims the island “transmits more egambling traffic than any other location on the globe and is in fact much larger than the combined activity of its three European offshore rivals (Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and Malta),” probably also due to the fact that there isn’t any gambling tax par players.

LICENSE REGULATION FOR CANDIDATE PLAYERS

The States of Alderney states it is the sole responsibility of the player to enquire about the existing gambling laws in the land of player’s residence, with an age restriction of at least 18 years. Gambling sites in Alderney are by law required to ask for player identification from time to time which prove player is not underage.

LICENSES

The gaming authority in Alderney has a very transparent policy, that includes open communication. The licenses:

“A category 1 licence authorises the organisation and preparation of gambling operations, namely the registration and verification of players, the contractual relationship with them, and the management of player funds.
A category 2 licence authorises the effecting of the gambling transaction including operational management of a gambling platform located within an approved hosting centre.
Depending on their proposed operations, an organisation may apply for one or both types of licence.”

Although the gaming commission clearly states the conditions for the different licenses, the commission recently issued a notice clarifying territorial confusion in respect of activity taking place on Alderney and Guernsey.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GAMES FOR DIFFERENT LICENSES?

The category 1 license covers all online and mobile gambling games.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING

A player can easily apply in writing for funds limitation. The most common options are:

• a limit on an amount during a period of time specified by the player;
• a maximum amount to be lost (in a specified period of time);
• a limit in form of a number of gambling transactions;
• a period of time that the player wants to be self-excluded;
• a limit set at zero.

At the same time, the license holder who has received the written notice is by law not allowed to accept a deposit from this player anyway, or the permit the customer to lose. The online casino is in such case not authorised to debit a wager from the player’s funds in excess of a limit set out in the notice. A case of a zero limit, the casino is not allowed to directly convince player otherwise, to market or publicise its gambling services to that customer whilst the customer’s limit continues at zero. The removing of a self-limitation is again to be applied for with the licensee in writing.

PLAYER PROTECTION

The gaming commission requires Category 1 eGambling licensees (and their associates holding customer funds) to hold funds standing to the credit of registered customers in accounts that are segregated from those used to operate the business of the licensee. This money will act as security to ensure registered players the online casino can always fulfill their financial obligation. The online casino is also obliged and inform registered customers of the risks associated with their funds in the event of a Category 1 eGambling licensee’s (or any of its associates) insolvency.
If a registered player notices the online gaming provider to be in breach with the regulation imposed by the gaming authority, the player should first try and solve the matter with the online casino. Should this not result in a satisfying solution, the player can lodge a complaint according to the procedure with the GC.