The online gambling industry (iGaming) continues to grow rapidly, and with the expansion of the market, operators face the challenge of choosing a suitable jurisdiction for licensing and taxation. For a long time, the most popular destinations remained Malta and Curaçao. Malta is renowned for its transparency and access to the European market, while Curaçao attracts operators with budget-friendly solutions and simplicity in obtaining a license. However, in recent years, the attention of the industry has shifted to Anjouan — a small African jurisdiction offering attractive alternatives for iGaming operators.
Geography and Legal Status of Anjouan
Anjouan is an island in the Comoros archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the eastern coast of Africa. Despite its small size, Anjouan offers a specialized online gambling licensing system that combines simplicity of registration, low taxes, and flexible regulation.
The jurisdiction actively positions itself as an alternative to traditional licensing centers, giving companies the opportunity to operate legally on the international market with minimal administrative barriers. This is especially relevant for startups and companies seeking a quick market entry without significant licensing costs in Europe.
Why Operators Are Turning to Anjouan
- Ease of Obtaining a License
One of Anjouan’s key advantages is minimal bureaucracy. The process of submitting documents and obtaining a license takes significantly less time compared to Malta or Curaçao. For many startups, this is critically important, as speed to market directly impacts profitability and competitiveness.
License fees in Anjouan are also very attractive: the fixed fee for obtaining a license is approximately $4,000–$5,000, and the annual payments are around $10,000–$12,000, which is significantly lower than in other jurisdictions, as clearly shown in the table below.
Comparison of Licenses and Taxes in Popular iGaming Jurisdictions
| Jurisdiction | License Fees | GGR Tax | Corporate Tax | Notes |
| Anjouan | $4,000–$5,000 (initial) / $10,000–$12,000 (annual) | 2% | 0% | Flexible regulation, ideal for startups and crypto platforms |
| Malta | €25,000 + €5,000 (one-time) | 5% | 35% (effective ~5% after tax refunds) | EU access, high transparency |
| Curacao | $4,000 (initial) / $12,000 (annual) | 2% | None | Budget-friendly option, but less recognized by players |
| UK | £4,199–£91,686+ | 21–30% | — | Strict requirements, high GGR tax, access to a large market |
| Gibraltar | €10,000–€15,000 | 1% | 10% | Access to the UK market, low tax |
- Types of Licenses in Anjouan
In Anjouan, as in most “alternative” iGaming jurisdictions, there are different license categories depending on business size and game type. For example, a standard online casino license is cheaper than licenses for platforms with high limits or VIP programs.
- Standard Online Casino License
- For operators offering slots, table games, and basic fixed-odds games.
- Low licensing fee and minimal capital requirements.
- Ideal for startups and smaller platforms.
- VIP and High Roller License
- For platforms serving high-stakes players.
- Stricter requirements for financial transparency, security, and KYC/AML procedures.
- Usually higher licensing fees and possible annual contributions.
- Sportsbook License
- For betting on sports, eSports, and live events.
- Often requires separate certification for betting calculation systems and risk monitoring.
- Cryptocurrency Operator License
- For platforms accepting cryptocurrency and providing smart contracts.
- Additional verification of blockchain smart contracts and payment security.
- Game and Platform Provider License
- For companies developing games or providing technological platforms to other operators.
- Includes verification of security, game fairness (provably fair), and API compliance standards.
Thus, operators must define their expected turnover and target audience in advance to choose the appropriate category and minimize unnecessary expenses.
- Low Tax Burden
Anjouan offers a gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax rate of 2%, making it one of the most budget-friendly jurisdictions for online operators. For comparison, in Malta the effective GGR rate after tax refunds is about 5%, and in Curaçao it is 2%, but with stricter reporting requirements and compliance standards.
Additionally, Anjouan has no corporate tax for international operators, allowing companies to optimize their tax load and reinvest funds in platform development, marketing, and player acquisition.
- Flexible Regulation
Anjouan provides a flexible regulatory system focused on protecting the rights of operators and players. Unlike the strict requirements of the UKGC or MGA, more attention is paid to business transparency and compliance with basic AML/KYC standards, without the need for complex structures and extensive internal procedures.
This allows companies to quickly adapt to market changes, integrate new payment solutions, and expand their game portfolio without lengthy approvals from regulators.
- International Access and Player Trust
Although Anjouan is not part of the EU, its license is recognized by many payment providers and international partners. This makes a platform legally operable in most countries where foreign licenses are not explicitly prohibited and helps gain players’ trust due to official registration.
Moreover, the Anjouan license is suitable for cryptocurrency operations, which is relevant for modern operators implementing provably fair games and fast anonymous transactions.
- Cost-Effective Alternative for Startups
For new operators seeking to test the market and minimize expenses, Anjouan offers an optimal solution. Small licensing fees, low GGR tax, and minimal procedural requirements make the jurisdiction attractive for companies with limited budgets.
Malta and Curaçao remain popular for large companies with high turnover, but for startups, Anjouan provides a fast market entry with minimal costs.
Potential Risks and Limitations
Despite its advantages, Anjouan also has limitations:
- No direct access to the European market, potentially limiting promotion in some EU countries.
- Low recognition of the license among players, requiring additional marketing efforts and trust-building communication.
- Political instability, as in any developing jurisdiction, necessitates careful monitoring of legal changes.
Operators should carefully plan their market entry strategy, often combining Anjouan licenses with other jurisdictions to expand geographic reach.
Conclusion
Anjouan is becoming a sought-after alternative to Malta and Curaçao thanks to a combination of:
- Low licensing and tax costs
- Ease of obtaining permits
- Flexible regulatory system
- Cryptocurrency compatibility
- Accessibility for startups and small operators
For new iGaming companies, Anjouan offers a profitable entry point into the international market, saving on taxes and administrative costs while maintaining business legality.
However, for large operators and companies targeting the EU market, it is important to combine Anjouan licenses with Malta or Curaçao licenses to ensure player trust, legal access to European markets, and compliance with international standards.
Thus, Anjouan is gradually establishing itself as a competitive jurisdiction in iGaming, offering attractive
