Anjouan — Gaming License 2026
The Anjouan Gaming License is issued by the Anjouan Gaming Authority from the Comoros Islands — one of the lowest-cost formal gaming authorizations available. Covers online casino, sports betting, poker, and crypto gambling for international players. 0% corporate tax, 4–6 week processing, no EU/EEA entity requirement. Honest positioning: above unregulated structures like Costa Rica, below Curaçao CGA and Malta MGA in PSP acceptance.
— Last updated: April 2026 · 6 min read
What Anjouan Is — and Where It Sits in the Licensing Hierarchy
Anjouan is one of the islands of the Comoros Union — a small Indian Ocean archipelago located between Madagascar and the East African coast. The Anjouan Gaming Authority issues gaming authorizations for online casino, sports betting, poker, and related gambling activities targeting international players. The license provides formal regulatory authorization from a recognized gaming authority — distinguishing it from unregulated structures like Costa Rica.
The Anjouan license occupies the lowest rung of formal offshore gaming licensing. It is cheaper and faster than any other licensed jurisdiction — including Curaçao, Vanuatu, and St Kitts. The AML/CFT and operational requirements are less demanding than the CGA/LOK framework or VFSC standards. For operators who need some form of gaming authorization at absolute minimum cost — whether for a market test, an early-stage launch, or operations targeting markets where basic licensing suffices — Anjouan delivers that.
What Anjouan does not deliver is PSP acceptance, affiliate network access, or banking comparable to Curaçao or Malta. Major gaming affiliate networks apply tiered access requirements — MGA at the top, CGA/LOK in the middle, with Anjouan at the lower tier. Payment processors that work specifically with offshore gaming companies will onboard Anjouan operators, but mainstream PSPs will not.
License Overview
| Regulator | Anjouan Gaming Authority |
| Jurisdiction | Anjouan, Comoros Union — Indian Ocean |
| Permitted activities | Online casino, sports betting, poker, crypto gambling |
| Corporate tax | 0% on offshore income |
| Foreign ownership | 100% |
| Target clients | Non-Anjouan international players |
| Annual audit | Required |
| AML/CFT | Required |
| Processing time | 4–6 weeks |
| License renewal | Annual |
Permitted Activities
- ▸Online casino — slots, table games, live dealer products, RNG-based casino games
- ▸Sports betting — fixed-odds sports wagering, live in-play betting, virtual sports
- ▸Poker — P2P poker rooms and tournaments
- ▸Crypto gambling — Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoin, and altcoin-based gaming
- ▸Bingo and lottery-style products
- ▸Skill games and competitive gaming products
Why Operators Choose Anjouan
Lowest-Cost Formal Gaming License
Anjouan consistently offers the lowest total licensing cost among formal gaming jurisdictions — below Curaçao, Vanuatu, and every other recognized gaming authority. For operators with limited initial capital who need formal gaming authorization, Anjouan is the most accessible entry point.
Fastest Processing
4–6 weeks from complete application to license issuance — faster than Curaçao CGA (8–16 weeks), Vanuatu VFSC (4–8 weeks), and significantly faster than Malta MGA (6–9 months). For operators with a defined launch window, Anjouan's processing speed is a genuine advantage.
No Entity Jurisdiction Restriction
Unlike Malta MGA, which requires an EU/EEA company, Anjouan imposes no incorporation jurisdiction requirement. BVI companies, Seychelles IBCs, and other offshore structures are all accepted as the license-holding entity.
Crypto-Native
Anjouan accommodates cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals with no additional authorization or special conditions. For crypto-native gambling operators launching a Bitcoin or altcoin casino, Anjouan provides formal authorization at the lowest available cost.
Requirements
Corporate
- ▸Company in Anjouan or recognized offshore jurisdiction (BVI, Seychelles accepted)
- ▸Registered office and agent in Anjouan
- ▸Fully functional gaming platform prior to application
- ▸Basic paid-up capital — authority assessed
Personnel & Operational
- ▸Fit and proper assessment — passport, CV, source of funds
- ▸MLRO or compliance officer for AML/CFT oversight
- ▸AML/CFT policy and KYC procedures
- ▸Responsible gaming policy and player protection tools
- ▸Player terms and conditions documentation
- ▸Annual audited financial statements
Honest Limitations
What to Know Before Applying
PSP access: Major international payment processors do not accept Anjouan-licensed operators. Specialist offshore gaming payment processors will onboard Anjouan operators, but payment architecture should be built around specialist providers from the outset.
Affiliate networks: Major affiliate networks tier their operator requirements. Anjouan sits below CGA/LOK and significantly below MGA in affiliate network access quality and volume.
Banking: Achievable through specialist offshore banks and EMIs. Traditional banks will not onboard. Operators should expect to rely on EMI accounts and specialist gaming banking.
Regulatory standing: Anjouan is not recognized as equivalent to Malta MGA, CGA/LOK, or UKGC by major industry counterparties. Operators should set accurate expectations with players and partners about the license tier.
Anjouan in the Licensing Hierarchy
| Feature | Anjouan | Curaçao CGA | Vanuatu VFSC | Malta MGA | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory auth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| PSP acceptance | Very limited | Good | Limited | Universal | Very limited |
| Annual costs | Lowest | ~€24,600+ | Low | €35,000+ | Minimal |
| Processing | 4–6 weeks | 8–16 weeks | 4–8 weeks | 6–9 months | 1–2 weeks |
| EU jurisdiction | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (unreg.) |
The decision between Anjouan and Curaçao comes down to one practical question: does your payment architecture require the PSP acceptance that Curaçao provides? If yes, the incremental cost of Curaçao (~€4,600 application + ~€24,600 annual) is modest relative to the difference in commercial access. If your model relies on specialist crypto processors or offshore EMIs regardless of jurisdiction, Anjouan provides formal authorization at materially lower cost.
Upgrade Pathway
Anjouan functions well as a first license while an operator builds revenue and develops the infrastructure for Curaçao CGA or Malta MGA licensing. Zitadelle AG advises on this progression from the outset — structuring the initial Anjouan corporate setup in a way that minimises restructuring costs when the upgrade occurs. Operators who plan for the transition from day one avoid the most common pain points.
How Zitadelle AG Assists
- ▸Company incorporation — Anjouan or preferred offshore jurisdiction (BVI, Seychelles)
- ▸Anjouan Gaming Authority license application — full documentation preparation and submission
- ▸Fit and proper documentation — director/shareholder due diligence package
- ▸AML/CFT policy and MLRO appointment
- ▸Responsible gaming framework — player protection tools and policy
- ▸Annual audit coordination
- ▸Banking and EMI introductions — specialist providers for Anjouan-licensed operators
- ▸Payment processor introductions — offshore gaming PSPs that onboard Anjouan licensees
- ▸Upgrade pathway planning — transition to Curaçao CGA/LOK or Malta MGA as the business scales
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Anjouan Gaming Authority requirements may change. Operators are responsible for compliance with all jurisdictions they target. Last updated: April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
A gaming authorization issued by the Anjouan Gaming Authority from the island of Anjouan (Comoros Union, Indian Ocean). Covers online casino, sports betting, poker, and crypto gambling for international players. 0% corporate tax, 4–6 week processing, lowest-cost formal gaming license available.
Ready to apply for an Anjouan gaming license?
Zitadelle AG manages the full Anjouan Gaming Authority application — from company incorporation and due diligence through license submission, AML/CFT framework, banking introductions, and upgrade pathway planning toward Curaçao or Malta.
Related Licenses
Quick Facts
Get a Free Quote
Transparent pricing and timeline for your application.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Requirements, timelines, and fees are subject to change. Always consult directly with the relevant regulatory authority or a qualified professional for the most current information. Zitadelle Advisory Group LTD is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.