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Introduction
The Anjouan iGaming licence may not be the most well-known or most referred to licence in the global gambling community, but that is changing quickly.
With an increase in regulation and rising costs of bigger jurisdictions (like Malta and Curacao), a lot of operators are now looking at newer, less-regulated alternatives.
Anjouan is becoming a popular option to obtain a licence.
In the last two years, Anjouan has seen a flurry of interest not only from new founders, but also seasoned operators and tech companies interested in speed, costs, and access.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the Anjouan licence: the history and legal framework, costs, eligibility, and an easy step-by-step application process.
Why Anjouan is Entering the Spotlight
Anjouan, also known as Ndzuwani, is located in the Indian Ocean and is one of the islands that make up the Union of the Comoros.
Anjouan was historically a trading hub between Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and it is building a new reputation as a new jurisdiction for online gambling.
Why the sudden interest?
- Across the globe, regulations are shifting - While jurisdictions like Curaçao and Malta are going through stricter regulations, many startups and smaller operators are looking for easier entry points.
- Affordable - Anjouan has one of the most affordable set-up costs (around 17,000 Euros) for a licence in the world.
- Fast - A licence can be obtained in 2-4 weeks, which is much faster than most jurisdictions.
- Crypto-friendly and broad coverage - Anjouan allows for crypto operations, and will cover all gambling verticals under one licence.
According to its Gaming Control portal (although it has had issues with its verification), Anjouan had 19 active licence holders as of 2024.
The jurisdiction has made progress with transparency and infrastructure.
A Brief History of Gambling Regulation in Anjouan
Anjouan started licensing online gambling operators as early as 2005 under the Computer Gaming Licensing Act 007. While the early years were quiet and largely underutilised, recent administrative changes have revitalised interest.
Two main bodies oversee the regulatory ecosystem today:
1. Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA)
This agency governs financial compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks.
2. Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI)
Since May 2023, ALSI handles the iGaming licensing process—application reviews, background checks, and overall operator support.
With the digital gambling industry booming and competition increasing, Anjouan is now carving out a niche by offering flexible, internationally appealing licensing opportunities.
Who Should Consider the Anjouan Licence?
The Anjouan licence is suitable for:
- Startups launching their first online casino or sportsbook
- Entrepreneurs moving from white-label to standalone operations
- B2B gaming software providers
- Established brands seeking market expansion with lower costs
That said, the licence does not allow operation in certain countries, including:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Australia
- All FATF-blacklisted jurisdictions
For everyone else, Anjouan provides a broad international reach.
What Does the Anjouan Licence Cover?
The licence is inclusive, allowing operators to run multiple types of games under one certification:
- Online casinos
- Sports betting
- Poker rooms
- Virtual games
- Bingo and lotto
- Crypto-based gaming platforms
- B2B platform providers and game studios
Unlike other jurisdictions that require separate permissions for each vertical, Anjouan issues a unified licence. This gives operators greater flexibility as their product evolves.
Benefits of the Anjouan iGaming Licence
Let’s take a closer look at why operators are shifting their attention to Anjouan:
Fast Setup
If your paperwork is in order, you can receive your licence in 2 to 4 weeks. No months of waiting or drawn-out procedures.
Lower Costs
The total startup cost is around EUR 17,000, and annual renewals are approximately EUR 13,300—far more affordable than licences in Malta or Gibraltar.
Zero GGR Tax
There is no tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR). That’s right—0%. This significantly boosts operator profitability.
Crypto-Friendly
Anjouan allows legally licensed cryptocurrency casinos, making it attractive to blockchain-based gaming businesses.
Covers Multiple Verticals
From casino to sports betting to bingo, you can operate everything under one licence—saving you the hassle of dealing with multiple regulators.
AML and Player Protection
Despite being cost-effective, the licence enforces AML checks, fraud prevention, and player protection standards, keeping your business compliant.
Step-by-Step: How to Get an Anjouan iGaming Licence
Here's a breakdown of how to secure your licence:
1. Prepare the Essentials
Before applying, you need to gather your paperwork. Key documents include:
- Certified passport copy
- Proof of address (utility bill)
- Police clearance certificate
- CV or resume
- Banker’s reference (relationship of at least 2 years)
- Professional reference (accountant or lawyer)
- Website domain ownership proof
- RNG certificates and content descriptions
- Terms and Conditions (with KYC, underage policy, and responsible gaming details)
Note: All documents must be in English or come with certified English translations, dated within the past 90 days.
2. Due Diligence & Eligibility
Every key person involved (founders, directors, UBOs) will undergo KYC and background checks.
You’re not eligible if:
- You're under 18
- You’ve been convicted of financial crimes or serious offences in the past 3 years
- You’re deemed “unfit” due to regulatory non-compliance
3. Submission & Review
Submit your complete application to Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI). This includes:
- Application form
- Required documents
- Application fee
The review process usually includes a compliance check and interviews to evaluate your business readiness.
4. Licence Issuance
If approved, your licence will be issued in 3 to 4 weeks, and you can legally begin operations. Each licence is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
What Are the Fees?
Here’s a breakdown of common costs:
Note: These are indicative fees. Complex setups may incur additional charges.
Hosting Requirements
Operators are required to host both their player database and primary servers within Anjouan. This ensures regulatory oversight and legal compliance.
You may need to coordinate with an Anjouan-approved data centre or consider cloud hosting solutions that meet jurisdictional requirements.
Turnkey iGaming Solutions by AIS Technolabs
At AIS Technolabs, we help you go beyond just getting the licence. We build fully customized, compliant iGaming platforms—so you can focus on branding, user acquisition, and growth.
Our services include:
- Custom online casino and sportsbook development
- Regulatory consultation and licensing support
- Integration of RNG and crypto payment systems
- Scalable backend for B2B/B2C
- UI/UX tailored to your market and users
From documentation prep to full tech deployment, we support you at every step of the licensing journey.
Is the Anjouan Licence Worth It?
For founders and gaming entrepreneurs seeking a fast, economical, and crypto-friendly international entry, yes—Anjouan is a legitimate option.
Though not on par with the credibility recognised in Malta or Gibraltar, Anjouan is a viable alternative if you want speed and international market access without the high costs.
Although, as per any licensing exercise, ensure that it is consistent with your business objectives and the markets you are targeting.
Disclaimer:
This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. We do not promote or facilitate gambling activities in any country where it is considered illegal. Our content is focused solely on providing knowledge about legal and regulated markets. We only work with operators and platforms that are licensed and comply with the laws of jurisdictions where casino gaming is permitted. We do not operate or endorse any form of gambling in restricted regions. In countries where only skill-based games are allowed, our involvement is strictly limited to those games.
We believe gambling should be an entertaining and responsible activity. Our goal is to ensure that the platforms we review uphold the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and player safety.
FAQs
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The average wait time is 2–4 weeks, depending on the accuracy and readiness of your documents.
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Yes, except for restricted countries such as the US, UK, Germany, and any FATF-blacklisted country.
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Yes, there is nothing that prohibits a licensed operator from offering crypto-based gambling.
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You can offer everything from online slots to poker, to sportsbooks, and bingo—not separate licenses.
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Anjouan has a 0% tax on GGR and corporate profits; just be mindful of the annual renewal and compliance fees.
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No physical office is required, but your hosting must be based in Anjouan.
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