Alderney reports boost in e-gambling licences

Commenting on an 'excellent year' for the territory, the island's Director of e-commerce, Robin Le Prevost, said that performance during 2011 surpassed expectations. “In common with all other jurisdictions the middle of 2010 had been relatively quiet but we ended the year strongly. That growth has increased throughout 2011 and we are absolutely delighted with the activity attracted to Alderney," he said.

Le Prevost attributed the growth to a combination of factors: “There is a realization in the industry that a single licence is not a workable concept in Europe and this has led many operators to examine all the supporting reasons why they are in any particular jurisdiction. When it comes to regulatory stability, knowledge, reputation, tax and technical infrastructure we are clearly at the top of the pile.”

Le Prevost in particular noted that a number of established operators had decided to migrate their operations to Alderney, which he suggested was as a result of the territory's position as a specialist centre, with a benign tax environment, and with no risk of exposure to the double imposition of gambling duties.

However, he was clear that Alderney "will not rest on its laurels for one minute as we continue to build on what is now our third largest industry and we will continue to encourage and attract the highest quality of operators to join us here in the islands.”

Despite operating a larger technical hub than the next four competing jurisdictions combined, to further develop the island into a hub for e-commerce and online gambling operators, the government is ploughing substantial investment into enhancing the island's Internet networks, Le Prevost said.