The number of gambling companies with an Alderney license fell 38% in 2019, to 33 licensees in total.

According to the Alderney Gambling Control Commission’s 2019 annual report, the number of license approvals for the year also dropped from eight in 2018 to six last year.

The regulatory body received total license fees of £3.9m ($4.9m), down 23% from the prior year, while total expenses reached £2.6m, an increase of 4%.

Genting Alderney Limited and Greentube Alderney Limited are two companies which allowed their licenses to lapse in the year.

During 2019, the regulator dealt with 23 complaints against its licensees – a drop from the 39 complaints handled in 2018.

The compliance team carried out 33 inspections throughout the year, all reportedly demonstrating “a high level of regulatory compliance by licensees.”

The regulator reported that no sanctions were issued, regulatory hearings called or special investigations instigated as a result of licensee operations in 2019.

The report concluded that due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, “it is not possible to determine the precise impact” at this time. However, the regulator said the situation has “the potential to reduce future license fee income.”