Alderney review could see change to regulatory framework
Executive director of AGCC hopes appointment of external observer demonstrates transparency.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) could amend its regulatory framework depending on the outcome of a three-month long external review into its practices regarding the revoked Full Tilt Poker (FTP).
André Wilsenach, executive director of the commission, told eGaming Review that the appointment of former British Gambling Commission chairman Peter Dean to carry out the review was the only way for the AGCC to stay “at the forefront of egaming regulation”.
“It shows we are not looking for a hiding place,” said Wilsenach, adding that “I hope Mr Dean will indicate the areas where we can learn lessons.”
He explained that the review was ordered by the commission itself with no pressure coming from external forces, describing the decision as “An idea that’s grown over an amount of time.”
“There’s nothing sinister about the timing of it “ it’s just the case that following the whole Full Tilt issue we as a commission have evaluated how we have dealt with it and what lessons we have learned,” he explained.
Wilsenach admitted the scale of the Full Tilt saga played into the minds of the commission, acknowledging that: “There’s always the risk with something as extraordinary as this that we could overreact, but on the other hand it’s a huge opportunity to review our framework.”
“I would suppose the fact that we haven’t just dealt with this internally but that we’re prepared to bring in someone of the calibre of Peter Dean might reassure some licensees or future applicants,” he added.
The executive director revealed that the fallout from the revocation of three of FTP’s four licences had not led to any change in licence applications within the jurisdiction, and saw no reason to rule out Full Tilt’s potential new owner applying for the restoration of the company’s fourth Alderney licence, registered with Orinic Ltd.
“If Full Tilt wants to move forward and apply for a licence in Alderney again it’s all about how they want to do it. Obviously Orinic already exists as a company but there are still a number of conditions that have to be satisfied by whoever purchases it, regardless of if it’s Orinic or another company who’s applying for a licence,” explained Wilsenach.
Discussions between FTP and prospective buyer Groupe Bernard Tapie (GBT) are ongoing following GBT reaching a repayment plan with the United States Department of Justice. A purchase price of US$80m, which would go towards the repayment of US players, was agreed in November.