Alderney introduces new licensing framework

When thinking of offshore gambling jurisdictions in Europe most people will immediately think of Gibraltar and Malta and yet Alderney in the British Channel Islands is building on its reputation and may have done itself a lot of good with a new recently introduced licensing framework. In principle it is aimed at reducing costs by being modular which means only applicable parts may be selected. Category 1 licenses which is targeted at operators that outsource gambling activities can be granted quickly in as little as 4 to 6 weeks and category 2 licenses are more for the business to business services. Another change is a system which can recognise and license equipment located outside the Alderney jurisdiction. The proof of the pudding will come at this years IGE-ICE show in London where users will get a look at the changes. Alderneys Director of eCommerce, Robin le Provost is naturally a little nervous when he says “However well thought through, a significant revision of the licensing legislation fills you with some trepidation as to how it will be received, but I think we can say the new scheme seems to have hit exactly the right note, and enquiries and applications have shown a significant increase”.

“2009 continued a pattern of growth for Alderney as a jurisdiction, but was a difficult year for some; especially the new start ups, but one can sense a new energy and we are very much looking forward to 2010”.

Alderney is very forward thinking in the field of eCommerce but at the same time is only now passing legislation introducing a smoking ban in public places after their 10 politicians were divided over the issue. Maybe you can still smoke in the casinos!