Alderney – a safe bet for offshore  e-commerce operations

  

The Channel Islands are renowned for the stability of government and  for the highest standards of regulation, accompanied by a sound judicial system.

Alderney boasts a healthy, well-balanced economy generated by its rapidly growing e-commerce and offshore finance industry and its traditional tourism and building industries.   

As well as continuing to encourage tourists, who delight in the  blue seas, sandy bays and the chance to enjoy good food and drink in a relaxed and charming continental atmosphere, the island’s government has acted where others have prevaricated to make the process of establishing an e-commerce presence as easy as possible.

 

As corporate decision- makers are rapidly discovering, Alderney is the ideal offshore centre from which to run their worldwide operations and where business still means pleasure.

A number of companies in the finance sector have established successful back office operations on the island. In parallel, Alderney is rapidly heading for pole position as a leading internet gaming and gambling jurisdiction.

 

 

·        Ideal Infrastructure

 

Setting up your offshore operations in Alderney means you will benefit from an infrastructure which provides the best possible framework for multi-national e-commerce companies: the latest state-of-the art computer and communications technology, a well-structured “user-friendly” company law and a good selection of residential and commercial properties with few restrictions on ownership of land or property.

 

 

·        First-class telecommunications

 

Alderney benefits from the development of a first class telecommunications infrastructure and data centre facilities provided by Cable & Wireless, Newtel, Wave and Itex in Guernsey whose approach to e-business makes possible mission-critical communications over a business quality IP infrastructure. Resilience, reliability and security are key aspects of the service and are deployed over a high-bandwidth network for voice, data and IP traffic.

 

 

·        Human resources and local expertise

 

One of Alderney’s other major strengths lies in the presence of good business support. The island boasts a competent computer literate work force offering part-time, full-time, tele-working and contract staff, thus providing businesses with the required level of flexibility. Those not wishing to engage staff can call on expertise as required from the island’s experienced computer and technology firms. Alderney has no shortage of specialist legal, banking and accountancy experts on hand.

 

·        Significant tax advantages:

 

Maximum 20% tax on company profits, likely to be reduced to 0% by the year 2008 or earlier.

Low personal income tax – again maximum 20% and generous personal allowances on income of persons who live on the island

No Value Added Tax (VAT)  on goods imported from any EU country. For more information about taxation, click here

 

Offshore company benefits:

 

To facilitate establishing a global e-commerce, e-gaming or e-betting presence, the States of Alderney has passed legislation to further the development of e-commerce on the island and to support the electronic transactions of business –in straight-forward, non-bureaucratic form.

 

The Alderney Company law is a modern, user-friendly piece of legislation which is ideally suited to today-s e-commerce operations and ensures that company incorporation is not subject to unnecessary delays.

 

For more information  click here

 

 

Alderney - at the forefront of the regulation of internet gambling worldwide

 

 

 

The Government of Alderney actively embraces the development of online gaming and betting operations and, shortly after introducing its own legislation to allow electronic betting on the island, appointed the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. Founded in May 2000, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, an independent and non-political body whose members are nationally recognised experts in gambling regulation and licensing, has already established itself at the forefront of regulation of Internet gambling worldwide.

 

The States of Alderney remains committed to working closely with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and all existing and potential licensees in order to protect and safeguard the best infrastructure within a well-regulated environment.

 

 

Sir Norman Browse, President of the States of Alderney: “The States of Alderney actively embraces e-commerce and in particular, Internet gambling and interactive gaming operations. Our government works closely with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission to provide and safeguard the best infrastructure within a well-regulated environment. In less than two years, Alderney has gained worldwide recognition for a highly regulated gambling industry, thus protecting  the reputation of Alderney while attracting world class operations.

 

 

 

John Godfrey – Chairman of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission: “The Commission has positioned itself to offer a regulatory environment that is likely to attract operators who seek a tightly controlled regime, but one that is flexible and sensitive to commercial realities.  In particular, we recognise the need for operators to be able to change and develop what they offer their customers without undue delay. Alderney is now regarded as being at the forefront of regulation of internet gambling worldwide”.

 

 

Why Alderney is a safe bet for e-gaming and e-gambling operators

There are a number of factors distinguishing Alderney from other jurisdictions regulating the internet gambling industry, namely:

• Commissioners and staff with appropriate licensing and regulatory knowledge and expertise;

 

• A cautious start, limiting the initial number of licensees, learning from the experience of regulating the electronic betting industry, before regulating interactive gaming;

 

• A regulatory framework, consisting of technical and operational control standards, was put in place before the industry was invited to apply for licenses;

 

• Probity investigations with a wide scope, which include system providers;

 

• Testing of the internet gaming systems by independent testing houses, accredited by the Commission, in order to ensure high technical standards;

 

• Well developed guidelines on internal controls and operating procedures, to assist licensees in minimizing risks;

 

• Cooperation with other gambling regulators in the fields of sharing probity information, protection of minors and providing border control;

 

• Dialogue with the industry to develop and improve its regulatory framework to be effective and practical; and

 

• Cooperation with the financial regulatory authorities in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, specifically, in the field of anti-money laundering measures.

 

For more information visit www.alderneygambling.com

 

 

 

 

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission

(AGCC) was established in May 2000.  The Commission is independent and non political, and regulates gambling on behalf of the States of Alderney.  Consisting of the Chairman and three members, it includes people with international experience in the fields of gaming, regulation and licensing.  The single most important policy of the Commission is to provide a regulatory environment that meets the highest international standards and thereby both protects the reputation of Alderney and attracts “world-class” operations.

 

Further details about the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the licensing process, together with the appropriate legislation and information regarding applications, our licensees and player protection is available by visiting the Commission’s website    http://www.gamblingcontrol.org