Premium, independent licence regulated by the AGCC
Alderney Gaming Licence
A premium Channel-Islands gaming licence with a reputation for rigour. The Alderney Gambling Control Commission regulates independently of the UK, at 0% gaming tax and, since the 2025 reform took effect in January 2026, with a fully digital application. That gives it serious credibility without Malta-scale tax. Vantegris runs the whole file.
What is the Alderney gaming licence?
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) is one of the most respected independent gaming regulators, operating separately from every other authority including the UK Gambling Commission. An Alderney licence signals rigour: the AGCC is known for thorough scrutiny, which is exactly what gives the credential its weight with banks and partners.
It is a premium regime without Malta-level gaming tax — Alderney charges 0% gaming tax. The AGCC issues Category 1 (B2C) and Category 2 (B2B) licences to Alderney-registered companies, and Associate Certificates to foreign-based companies. The certificate is the dearer route: £35,000 in the first year against £17,500 for a licence, and £50,000 a year after that against £35,000. Following the eGambling (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, effective 1 January 2026, the whole application is now fully digital, with an updated form and no more bound paper submissions, which has streamlined timelines.
Why operators pick Alderney
The AGCC's thorough process is the reason its licence carries real weight with banks and partners.
Premium credibility without a percentage-of-revenue gaming tax.
Regulated separately from the UK and other authorities — a distinct, respected credential.
Since the 2025 Ordinance the application is filed digitally, with no physical paperwork.
A licence for an Alderney-registered company, or an Associate Certificate for a foreign-based operator at a higher fee.
Alderney vs. Malta
| Criteria | Alderney | Malta (MGA) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming tax | 0% | 15%/10% on MT players from 1 Oct 2026; 5% before |
| First-year fee (B2C) | £17,500 | €25,000 fixed + contribution |
| Min. share capital | Not fixed | €40k–€240k |
| Regulator style | Independent, rigorous | EU tier-1 |
| Timeline | 3–6 months | 4–6 months |
| Reputation | Premium (quality-led) | Tier-1 (EU) |
| Best suited to | Credibility without EU tax | EU standing & 10-yr term |
Who the Alderney gaming licence suits
Alderney gaming licence requirements
How to get an Alderney gaming licence
- Preparation Set up the corporate structure and build the Internal Control System and policies. 3–5 weeks
- Digital application Submit the updated Schedule 1 form and ICS fully online, with the investigation deposit. 1–2 weeks
- AGCC review The AGCC conducts its rigorous probity and systems assessment. 6–12 weeks
- Licence & launch On approval the Category 1 or 2 licence issues (a temporary permit may be available sooner). Variable
Not sure Alderney is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Alderney or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
How much does an Alderney gaming licence cost?
- Corporate setup guidance
- Full AGCC application & ICS
- AML/KYC & responsible-gaming policies
- Regulator liaison through review
- Everything in Licence
- Company incorporation
- Internal Control System build
- RNG & technical documentation support
- Everything in Turnkey
- Banking & PSP introductions
- Corporate accounts
- Ongoing compliance support
Both categories cost £17,500 in the first year for a company with no prior Alderney-licensed activity. From year two Category 1 follows seven bands of net gaming yield (NGY): £35,000 below £500,000, £60,000 to £1m, £80,000 to £5m, £130,000 to £7.5m, £200,000 to £20m, £290,000 to £30m and £400,000 above that. Category 2 renews at a flat £35,000. The AGCC also takes cost deposits (£10,000 with the application and £10,000 for approval of the Internal Control System) and bills its investigation time against them. There is no gaming tax. Initial all-in typically runs £35,000–£100,000 — we quote precisely for your case.
Compliance obligations in Alderney
Technical & IT standards in Alderney
After you go live in Alderney
Which markets an Alderney licence reaches
Alderney gives premium international standing, but you still respect each market's rules and geo-block those you are not authorised in, plus sanctioned and FATF-listed territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Alderney gaming licence FAQ
How much does an Alderney gambling licence cost?
Both categories are £17,500 in the first year. Category 1 (B2C) then moves to a banded annual fee tied to net gaming yield (£35,000 below £500,000 NGY, up to £400,000 for the very largest operators), and Category 2 (B2B) renews at a flat £35,000. There's a £10,000 investigation deposit, and initial all-in typically runs £35,000–£100,000. There is no gaming tax.
What are the AGCC's Category 1 fee bands?
After the £17,500 first year, the annual Category 1 fee depends on net gaming yield: £35,000 below £500,000; £60,000 from £500,000 to under £1 million; £80,000 from £1 million to under £5 million; £130,000 from £5 million to under £7.5 million; £200,000 from £7.5 million to under £20 million; £290,000 from £20 million to under £30 million; and £400,000 at £30 million or more. A £3,000 association fee applies per gambling business associate.
Can a casino and a sportsbook run on one Alderney licence?
Yes. The AGCC licenses by function, with no separate permit for each product. A Category 1 licence covers the player-facing side (registering and verifying customers and holding their funds) and a Category 2 licence covers the gambling transactions and the platform. Any number and type of gambling activity can be approved under the one licence, and the Category 1 fee ceiling of £400,000 includes all of them.
How do I check whether a company holds an Alderney licence?
The AGCC publishes its current licences and certificates on gamblingcontrol.org under Licensees. Search for the legal entity, since consumer brand names are not what the list is organised by. We also keep a sortable copy of the list on our Alderney licence data page.
What changed in Alderney for 2026?
The eGambling (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, effective 1 January 2026, made the application fully digital (an updated Schedule 1 form and no more bound paper submissions), which has streamlined the process.
Licence vs Associate Certificate — what's the difference?
A full Category 1 or 2 licence goes only to an Alderney-registered company. A Guernsey or other foreign company can be the parent or administrator, but it cannot be the licensee. An Associate Certificate is the equivalent for a foreign-based company, with no need to apply through an Alderney company or host equipment in the Bailiwick. It costs more: £35,000 in the first year and £50,000 a year after, against £17,500 and £35,000 for a licence, and a Category 1 certificate adds the net-gaming-yield band on top, to a ceiling of £450,000.
How long does it take?
Plan for 3–6 months to a full licence given the AGCC's rigorous review, though a temporary permit can be available sooner when all data is supplied up front.
Alderney or Malta?
Alderney offers premium, rigorously-earned credibility at 0% gaming tax, regulated independently of the UK. Malta offers EU tier-1 standing and a ten-year term but gaming tax on Maltese-player revenue (15% / 10% from 1 October 2026, up from 5%) and higher capital. We'll recommend based on your markets, banking and tax priorities.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. Last updated October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
- AGCC — published eGambling fee schedule
- AGCC — current licences and certificates
- Alderney Gambling — licences and fees (jurisdiction's own summary, incl. Associate Certificate ceilings)
- AGCC — legislative framework, incl. the Alderney eGambling (Amendment) Ordinance 2025
- Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) — official regulator
Start your Alderney file.
Tell us your product and target markets and we will map the licence route. The consultation is free and confidential, and most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.