AGCC and KGC accord suggests change in shift for Alderney

Alderney's white-list status is under threat
Alderney's white-list status is under threat

The announcement by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, that they are to collaborate with each other on matters of common interest, is an interesting development in the ever changing world of egaming.

“The Kahnawake Gaming Commission and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission confirm that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will provide an efficient and reasonable channel for the exchange of information and material with respect to past, existing and prospective licensees for the purpose of ensuring effective regulation between both jurisdictions,” read a press release.

The specifics and extent of the collaboration have not been specified, save to say that, “the KGC and AGCC have agreed that the specific content of the MOU will remain confidential.”

The KGC, which is based near Montreal, Canada, is one of the largest licensers of online gambling companies in the industry, with hundreds of internet gambling sites owned by scores of major companies bearing its logo and subject to its regulations and authority.

The AGCC, of Alderney in the Channel Islands, is not thought to have as many licensees, but it has forged a reputation as one of the most respected and effective regulators in Europe. It gave a licence to the much-troubled Full Tilt Poker in October and currently boasts UK advertising white-list status.

However, much like Malta, Alderney is beginning to see its existing business model flounder in the face of recent moves by EU member states to create national regimes, notwithstanding the EU Treaty.

As Alderney is not part of the EU, its white list status is under serious review, leaving the long-term benefits of an Alderney license within Europe very much in doubt. So it now appears to be making a shift towards selling itself as a preferential corporate tax jurisdiction and infrastructure hub, rather than a strict gaming regulator.

Malta, on the other hand, is rumoured to be preparing legal challenges inside the EU itself to enforce the open market rules that would enable any Maltese licence holder to offer a pan-European service from Malta. If successful, a Maltese licence would be the world’s best online gaming licence for Europe.

Antigua and Kahnawake would still be the best licensers for North American facing operators and Cagayan Philippines is the best for Asian-facing business. Most truly global brands will also end up getting a UK licence for the global stature this would accord their brands.