Anjouan, an island jurisdiction in the Union of the Comoros, has quickly become a practical licensing option for iGaming businesses that want speed to market, lower upfront costs, and a single licence that covers multiple gaming verticals. For start-ups, crypto-first casinos, and operators targeting emerging or niche markets, Anjouan is frequently positioned as a stepping-stone jurisdiction: you can launch, validate your product and acquisition channels, and then decide whether to upgrade into a more tightly regulated Tier-1 environment later.
This guide breaks down what the Anjouan gaming licence typically covers, what it costs, how long it takes, what you must prepare, and how to use it strategically while maintaining strong compliance standards (AML, KYC, and responsible gambling) from day one.
Why Anjouan is getting attention in iGaming
The appeal of the Anjouan gaming license is straightforward: it aims to remove common friction points that slow down launches in higher-tier jurisdictions. Instead of navigating multiple licences for different product lines, many operators can pursue a single comprehensive licence and start operating quickly, without being forced into expensive local infrastructure commitments.
Core benefits operators look for
- One licence that can cover multiple gaming verticals, reducing legal complexity for multi-product roadmaps.
- Fast turnaround, commonly cited as 2–4 weeks for licence processing once the file is ready and submitted.
- Lower cost of entry compared with many other jurisdictions, with first-year fees commonly around €17,000–€17,500.
- Lower ongoing costs, with renewals commonly around €13,300 per year.
- Tax-friendly positioning, often described as a 0% corporate tax environment (always confirm your specific structure and where management and control takes place).
- Operational flexibility, typically with no mandatory local servers, and no requirement for local office space or staff.
In practical terms, this mix is attractive when you want to invest more of your early budget into product, payments, marketing, and player support, rather than into local build-outs and long regulatory timelines.
What the Anjouan licence typically covers (all-in-one approach)
A key selling point of Anjouan is its all-in-one licensing model. Operators pursuing a multi-vertical strategy often prefer a framework that does not force them to obtain separate licences for each product category.
Commonly covered verticals
- Online casino
- Sports betting
- Poker
- Crypto gaming platforms
- B2B services (commonly referenced as part of the broad coverage)
This broad scope can be especially useful if your roadmap includes adding sportsbook to an existing casino (or vice versa), launching poker as a retention feature, or supporting crypto payment rails.
Costs at a glance: application, first year, and renewal
Budget clarity is one of the strongest practical advantages for early-stage operators. While professional service fees and operational costs vary (payments, game aggregation, KYC vendors, customer support, and so on), the licence fee itself is frequently cited within a relatively tight band.
| Cost item | Typical amount | What it generally covers |
|---|---|---|
| Licence application fee (including first year) | €17,000–€17,500 | Application processing and first-year licence period (as commonly marketed by service providers) |
| Annual renewal | ~€13,300 | Ongoing licence validity for the following year |
Tip for planning: In addition to the licence fee, build a compliance and operations budget that covers KYC checks, AML monitoring, game testing documentation, player dispute handling, and responsible-gambling tooling. Even where oversight is lighter, strong internal compliance helps protect payment relationships, reputation, and long-term jurisdiction upgrade options.
Timeline: how operators reach market in weeks, not months
Anjouan is known for speed. The licensing process is often described as taking 2–4 weeks once your application is complete and submitted.
A realistic end-to-end timeline
- Preparation phase: Gathering documents, drafting policies, and compiling a detailed business plan. This can take several weeks depending on how quickly information is provided.
- Submission and review: Commonly cited at 2–4 weeks for processing, assuming the file is complete and due diligence requirements are satisfied.
- Go-live readiness: Finalizing payments, game integrations, KYC flows, and customer support operations, which can run in parallel with licensing work.
When teams are organized and documentation is ready, the overall path to launch can be meaningfully shorter than in many higher-tier jurisdictions.
Who the Anjouan gaming licence suits best
Anjouan is not necessarily trying to be the “final destination” for every operator. Instead, it often works best as a launchpad for specific business models and market strategies.
Best-fit operator profiles
- Start-ups that want rapid market entry without heavy infrastructure obligations.
- Crypto casinos and platforms prioritizing flexible payment rails and international hosting.
- Lean teams who want to validate product-market fit before committing to higher regulatory overhead.
- Operators targeting emerging or niche markets where Tier-1 recognition may not be the primary driver of conversion.
- B2B providers that want a licensing framework aligned with multi-vertical offerings.
- Step-up strategists planning to start in Tier-3, mature operations, then upgrade to a Tier-1 jurisdiction.
Illustrative success paths (examples, not promises)
- Multi-vertical roadmap: Launch casino first, then add sportsbook once player retention and acquisition economics are proven, all under one licence framework.
- Crypto-first product: Start with crypto deposits and withdrawals plus standard responsible-gambling controls, then expand into additional payment options as banking relationships mature.
- B2B enablement: Use the licence structure to support multiple brands or partners, while keeping consistent compliance policies and reporting internally.
These paths are most effective when paired with professional-grade compliance and a clear market access strategy.
What you must do to apply: requirements and documentation
While the jurisdiction is known for speed and cost advantages, applicants still need to complete meaningful preparation. Expect to establish the right corporate structure and provide enough documentation to satisfy due diligence and operational readiness.
Common licensing requirements
- Establish an Anjouan company as part of the licensing setup.
- Pass due diligence checks (for key individuals and beneficial ownership, as typically required).
- Provide a detailed business plan with operational and financial information.
- Submit compliance policies and procedures, including AML and KYC processes.
- Provide responsible-gambling measures that you will implement and maintain.
- Prepare technical documentation, which may include game-related certificates (commonly referenced as part of application expectations).
In other words, Anjouan can be fast, but it is not “no paperwork.” Operators that treat the application like a professional compliance project typically move the quickest.
Compliance expectations: AML, KYC, and responsible gambling
Even with Tier-3 positioning, operators are expected to implement and maintain key controls. This is not just about meeting application requirements; it is also about building a sustainable operation that can work with payment providers, manage risk, and prepare for future jurisdiction upgrades.
Key policy areas you should have in place
- AML (Anti-Money Laundering): risk assessments, monitoring, escalation processes, and recordkeeping.
- KYC (Know Your Customer): verification flows, source-of-funds checks where required, and ongoing monitoring practices.
- Responsible gambling: player protection tools and processes that reduce harm and support sustainable growth.
- Data protection practices: internal controls and procedures appropriate for handling player data.
Strong compliance can be a growth lever: it helps keep payment channels stable, reduces fraud and chargeback exposure, and builds trust with players in competitive markets.
Infrastructure flexibility: no mandatory local servers, office, or staff
One of the most operator-friendly aspects of Anjouan is its flexibility around physical presence. Many teams choose Anjouan specifically because it typically does not require:
- Local servers (platform hosting can be international).
- Local office space.
- Local staff.
This can reduce both cost and complexity, especially for distributed teams and tech stacks already built on established hosting providers. The result is a faster route to launch and more freedom to optimize infrastructure for latency, uptime, and player experience.
Market access and recognition: where Anjouan works best
Anjouan is commonly categorized as Tier-3 regulation. In practical terms, this means it may be a strong fit for certain global or niche strategies, but it has limited recognition in tightly regulated markets.
What Tier-3 positioning usually implies
- Faster licensing and lower costs compared with Tier-1 jurisdictions.
- Minimal oversight relative to stricter regulators.
- Limited acceptance in highly regulated or heavily restricted markets.
This is why many operators treat it as a stepping-stone: it can support early growth and operational maturity, then you can pursue a Tier-1 licence when the business is ready for more rigorous requirements and higher budgets.
Restricted countries: plan your geo strategy early
Operators must be careful about where they accept players. Anjouan-licensed operators are commonly advised that certain highly regulated jurisdictions are restricted, and you should always confirm the current restricted list during setup.
Commonly referenced restricted jurisdictions include
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- France
- Germany
Operational best practice: Implement geoblocking, IP monitoring, KYC-based residency checks, and clear terms that define restricted territories. A clean geo strategy protects your brand and reduces downstream legal and payment risk.
How to use Anjouan as a stepping-stone to Tier-1 jurisdictions
For many operators, the most compelling Anjouan story is not “stay forever.” It is “launch smart, then level up.” A stepping-stone strategy can look like this:
Step-up roadmap (practical and player-focused)
- Launch and prove operations: demonstrate stable payments, fraud controls, player support, and responsible-gambling tooling.
- Build an audit-ready compliance culture: maintain AML logs, KYC records, incident tracking, and policy updates as if a stricter regulator were already watching.
- Strengthen governance: define ownership clearly, formalize decision-making, and keep financial reporting disciplined.
- Validate markets and products: find the geographies and verticals where retention and unit economics are strongest.
- Upgrade jurisdiction when ready: pursue a Tier-1 licence with a stronger operational track record and better documentation.
This approach can reduce the risk of spending heavily on a premium licence before you have validated your funnel and player value.
Player protection and operational credibility: what to prioritize
Because Anjouan is known for lighter post-licensing oversight, your internal standards matter even more. Operators that invest in player protection often see tangible benefits: fewer disputes, stronger retention, and improved payment stability.
High-impact measures to implement early
- Clear KYC thresholds and a consistent verification journey.
- Withdrawal controls that balance fraud prevention with a smooth player experience.
- Responsible-gambling tools such as limits and self-exclusion processes.
- Transparent terms for bonuses, withdrawals, and restricted territories.
- Documented incident response for AML flags, player complaints, and data issues.
These building blocks support long-term growth and make it easier to migrate to stricter jurisdictions later.
FAQ: quick answers for founders and operators
Is the Anjouan gaming licence legally recognized?
The licence is issued by the local authority (commonly referenced as the Gaming Control in Anjouan) and provides a legal framework for offering online gambling services internationally, subject to restrictions. Recognition is limited in tightly regulated markets, so your geo strategy matters.
Do I need a physical office in Anjouan?
It is commonly stated that an Anjouan licence does not require local office space. Many operators run remote teams while keeping compliance policies and corporate governance properly documented.
Do I need to host my servers in Anjouan?
It is commonly stated that there is no mandatory requirement for local servers, allowing international hosting and more infrastructure flexibility.
Are AML, KYC, and responsible-gambling policies mandatory?
Yes. Operators are expected to provide and maintain AML policies, KYC procedures, and responsible-gambling practices as part of licensing requirements and ongoing operations.
How fast can I get licensed?
Licensing is commonly described as taking 2–4 weeks after submission of a complete application. Preparation time varies based on how quickly you can compile documentation and finalize your business plan and policies.
Bottom line: a high-speed launch option for the right strategy
If your priority is fast market entry with lower licensing costs and the convenience of a single licence across multiple verticals, Anjouan can be a highly efficient choice. It is especially compelling for start-ups, crypto-focused casinos, and operators pursuing emerging or niche markets.
The best outcomes come when teams treat Anjouan as more than a shortcut: establish the company properly, pass due diligence, build a detailed business plan, and run serious AML, KYC, and responsible-gambling programs from the start. Done well, Anjouan can help you launch quickly today while keeping your options open for a Tier-1 upgrade tomorrow.
