Anjouan, one of the autonomous islands in the Union of the Comoros, is quietly making a name for itself in the online gambling space. Offering a low-cost, fast, and relatively straightforward route into the industry, the Anjouan gaming license is increasingly appearing on the radar of gambling startups and budget-conscious operators. While still under the radar compared to Tier 1 licenses, it presents a mix of practical benefits and logistical obstacles.
As larger jurisdictions like Curaçao tighten regulatory controls, some operators are turning to alternatives that offer flexibility and tax efficiency. The Anjouan iGaming license fits this mold – with broad product coverage, minimal red tape, and attractive fiscal policies. But despite these strengths, the license remains niche and faces challenges with credibility, operational logistics, and partner acceptance.
Background and Regulatory Evolution
The development of Anjouan gaming regulations stems from the Computer Gaming Licensing Act and Anti-Money Laundering Law, both enacted in 2005. These laws laid the foundation for regulating "computer gaming services," enabling Anjouan to begin issuing international gaming licenses over a decade before most of its regional peers.
After years of limited adoption, the license began to gain traction around 2023. With increased scrutiny and costs in other jurisdictions, operators started seeking more agile and economically feasible options. Today, Anjouan actively markets itself as a responsive and business-friendly licensing hub.
Oversight is shared by:
After years of limited adoption, the license began to gain traction around 2023. With increased scrutiny and costs in other jurisdictions, operators started seeking more agile and economically feasible options. Today, Anjouan actively markets itself as a responsive and business-friendly licensing hub.
Oversight is shared by:
- Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA): Monitors financial compliance and AML frameworks.
- Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI): Handles license administration, document processing, and applicant support since May 2023.
How the Licensing Process Works
The licensing process is clear-cut and relatively fast, often taking just 2-4 weeks if documentation is in order. It covers three main areas:
Applicants must submit:
Notably, PEPs (politically exposed persons) are excluded, and material infrastructure must be mirrored on ALSI-approved servers. The license allows two domains per company and prohibits sublicensing.
It also shall be noted, that despite being an international gaming license, the Anjouan license includes a strict list of prohibited markets, as like Curacao, Malta, and other offshore hubs. Services must not be offered in:
Operators are required to implement geo-blocking and avoid servicing countries where online gambling is expressly illegal.
- Fit and Proper Checks: Conducted on all directors, shareholders, and UBOs.
- Technical and Infrastructure Requirements: Including server location and gaming software integration.
- AML/Compliance Obligations: Requires an appointed Compliance Officer, internal controls, and a full AML policy.
Applicants must submit:
- A detailed business plan;
- Proof of domain ownership and game certification or agreements;
- Identity and address documentation for all key persons;
- Corporate documents for a legal entity.
Notably, PEPs (politically exposed persons) are excluded, and material infrastructure must be mirrored on ALSI-approved servers. The license allows two domains per company and prohibits sublicensing.
It also shall be noted, that despite being an international gaming license, the Anjouan license includes a strict list of prohibited markets, as like Curacao, Malta, and other offshore hubs. Services must not be offered in:
- Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States
- All FATF-blacklisted jurisdictions
- The Comoros itself
Operators are required to implement geo-blocking and avoid servicing countries where online gambling is expressly illegal.
Gaming License Costs
The gaming license costs in Anjouan are undeniably low when compared to most jurisdictions, but the full setup involves multiple components.
· The annual fee for the Anjouan gambling license is approximately EUR 17,000. This covers the right to operate up to two gaming URLs, provided they are owned by the licensed company. The license must be renewed annually.
· To apply for the license, you need a legal entity. While there's no requirement to incorporate in Anjouan itself, the company must be offshore and not resident in a prohibited jurisdiction. Commonly used incorporation options include:
o Costa Rica – Approx. EUR 4,000/year
o Belize – Approx. EUR 2,500/year
o Anjouan – Approx. EUR 4,750/year
Your choice of jurisdiction may affect banking access, perception among partners, and ease of compliance.
· Due to limitations in banking and payment processing with the Anjouan iGaming license, most operators need to establish a Payment Agent Company in a more reputable jurisdiction (such as Cyprus, Estonia, or the UK). This company handles customer-facing payment processing and must charge a small service fee to comply with tax rules. Setting up and maintaining this company typically costs around EUR 5,000 per year, including local compliance and corporate maintenance.
Taking all of the above into account, as well as typical numbers for opening EMI account, company maintenance and local prices, the total cost of acquiring and maintaining an Anjouan gambling license typically ranges from EUR 40,000 to EUR 47,000 per year, depending on the jurisdiction of incorporation and overall corporate structure.
· The annual fee for the Anjouan gambling license is approximately EUR 17,000. This covers the right to operate up to two gaming URLs, provided they are owned by the licensed company. The license must be renewed annually.
· To apply for the license, you need a legal entity. While there's no requirement to incorporate in Anjouan itself, the company must be offshore and not resident in a prohibited jurisdiction. Commonly used incorporation options include:
o Costa Rica – Approx. EUR 4,000/year
o Belize – Approx. EUR 2,500/year
o Anjouan – Approx. EUR 4,750/year
Your choice of jurisdiction may affect banking access, perception among partners, and ease of compliance.
· Due to limitations in banking and payment processing with the Anjouan iGaming license, most operators need to establish a Payment Agent Company in a more reputable jurisdiction (such as Cyprus, Estonia, or the UK). This company handles customer-facing payment processing and must charge a small service fee to comply with tax rules. Setting up and maintaining this company typically costs around EUR 5,000 per year, including local compliance and corporate maintenance.
Taking all of the above into account, as well as typical numbers for opening EMI account, company maintenance and local prices, the total cost of acquiring and maintaining an Anjouan gambling license typically ranges from EUR 40,000 to EUR 47,000 per year, depending on the jurisdiction of incorporation and overall corporate structure.
Tax Advantages in Anjouan
From a fiscal standpoint, tax advantages in Anjouan are the same as in others offshore jurisdictions. IBCs (International Business Companies) enjoy:
This makes Anjouan attractive to early-stage operators looking to preserve margins, but only if they can make the rest of the structure work efficiently.
- 0% corporate tax on foreign income
- No tax on dividends, capital gains, or VAT
This makes Anjouan attractive to early-stage operators looking to preserve margins, but only if they can make the rest of the structure work efficiently.
What the Anjouan Gambling License Offers
Speed and Efficiency
Licenses are usually issued in 2-4 weeks, which is far quicker than in Malta, Gibraltar, or even Curaçao. For fast movers, this is a clear advantage.
Low Entry Costs
While the gaming license costs are low, it's important to plan for the hidden operational expenses related to banking and compliance.
Comprehensive Coverage
One license supports a range of verticals:
It’s suitable for both B2C and B2B models, and must be categorized correctly during application.
- Online casino
- Sports betting
- Poker
- Lottery
- Software provision
- White-label operations
It’s suitable for both B2C and B2B models, and must be categorized correctly during application.
Cryptocurrency Compatibility
The Anjouan gaming license permits the use of crypto as a payment method, aligning well with modern trends in player behavior and payment ecosystems.
International Reach (with Limits)
While Anjouan imposes restrictions on specific countries, the license can be used to target many international markets. However, it lacks the name recognition of Malta or the GCB, making credibility a hurdle.
Operational Challenges and Industry Perception
Here’s where the picture becomes more nuanced. Despite its potential, the Anjouan iGaming license faces practical hurdles that can’t be ignored:
These challenges make Anjouan a hard sell in high-trust B2B environments. Operators may find it difficult to sign deals with major game providers or establish payment rails without additional legal and corporate structuring.
- Limited credibility: Payment processors, affiliates, and software platforms may hesitate to work with Anjouan licensees.
- Banking constraints: Access to banking and EMI services is difficult, often requiring a separate Payment Agent Company in a better-known jurisdiction like Estonia or Cyprus.
- Regulatory skepticism: The jurisdiction’s simplified compliance model, while attractive to entrepreneurs, is viewed by some partners as too light-touch.
These challenges make Anjouan a hard sell in high-trust B2B environments. Operators may find it difficult to sign deals with major game providers or establish payment rails without additional legal and corporate structuring.
Step-by-Step: How to Get an Anjouan Gambling License
Here’s a streamlined overview of the licensing process:
Once these are complete, the license is granted and operations can commence.
- Preliminary Review: Share business plans and operational intentions for initial feedback.
- Pre-Application: Submit required forms, ID documents, and a non-refundable fee.
- Conditional Approval: Pay license fees and proceed with entity setup.
- Document Submission: Provide full supporting documentation for directors, shareholders, company structure, and operations.
- Payment Agent Setup: Register a processing entity in a suitable jurisdiction and secure banking/EMI support.
Once these are complete, the license is granted and operations can commence.
Conclusion
The Anjouan gambling license ticks many boxes: it's fast to obtain, affordable to maintain, flexible in scope, and backed by meaningful tax advantages in Anjouan. In a world where many jurisdictions are becoming slower, stricter, and more expensive, Anjouan feels like a breath of fresh air.
But here’s the trade-off: the license is still little known, not widely accepted by partners or PSPs, and requires additional legal engineering to run smoothly. It’s not a plug-and-play solution. Instead, it’s a strategic play – one best suited for operators with international structuring experience, or those willing to take risks in return for lower costs.
In short, Anjouan has the building blocks of a successful offshore licensing hub – especially as some traditional options lose their appeal. But for now, its value lies in careful positioning and smart planning. If you can navigate its weak points and invest in credibility elsewhere, the Anjouan gaming license might just be your underdog advantage.
But here’s the trade-off: the license is still little known, not widely accepted by partners or PSPs, and requires additional legal engineering to run smoothly. It’s not a plug-and-play solution. Instead, it’s a strategic play – one best suited for operators with international structuring experience, or those willing to take risks in return for lower costs.
In short, Anjouan has the building blocks of a successful offshore licensing hub – especially as some traditional options lose their appeal. But for now, its value lies in careful positioning and smart planning. If you can navigate its weak points and invest in credibility elsewhere, the Anjouan gaming license might just be your underdog advantage.
