Anjouan Gaming License:

The Anjouan license is one of the most popular solutions for launching iGaming projects. The jurisdiction offers a straightforward licensing procedure, relatively low costs, and the ability to conduct various types of gambling activities under a single license. As a result, Anjouan remains popular among operators targeting the international market.

What Is an Anjouan Gambling License?

Anjouan is an autonomous island within the Union of the Comoros, which has been developing its own offshore legislation since the late 1990s. The local regulator has established a universal legal framework for representatives of the entertainment industry. In practice, the Anjouan gambling license is a single permit issued by a government authority (Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority) that allows operators to legally conduct virtually any type of gambling business worldwide.

The license is suitable for online casinos, sportsbook platforms, poker rooms, lotteries, crypto projects, and other iGaming activities. It covers both traditional gaming platforms and projects using digital assets and blockchain technologies.

Why Do Operators Choose Anjouan: Advantages and Disadvantages

Anjouan is considered one of the most attractive jurisdictions for licensing iGaming projects due to its processing times, costs, and license versatility. Before choosing a jurisdiction, it is important to assess both its advantages and limitations.

Key advantages of the jurisdiction:

1. Fast launch: the entire process, from document collection to license issuance, usually takes 3 to 6 weeks.
2. Single license: one document covers slots, sports betting, poker, lotteries, and live casino.
3. Crypto-friendly approach: direct integration of crypto acquiring services and the use of digital tokens are permitted.
4. Favorable tax policy: the gambling revenue tax rate (GGR) is 0%, which can significantly reduce the financial burden.
5. Competitive cost: the financial entry threshold is several times lower than in Malta, the Isle of Man, or the updated Curaçao regime.

When choosing a jurisdiction, existing restrictions should also be taken into account. The main limitation is that an Anjouan gambling license does not grant the right to operate in strictly regulated local markets, such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, or Germany. In addition, some conservative tier-one banks remain cautious about offshore accounts, so operators need to properly structure their payment infrastructure through EMIs and specialized acquiring platforms.

Legislative and Regulatory Framework of the Comoros and Anjouan

The legal framework governing Anjouan's gambling sector has been developed over two decades. The primary legislation is the Betting and Gaming Act of 1999, supplemented by the Computer Gaming Licensing Act of 2005. The island's administration has the legislative authority to independently regulate the financial and gambling sectors.

The regulators are Anjouan Corporate Services and the Offshore Finance Authority. These bodies are responsible for licensing, monitoring operators' activities, and ensuring compliance with international AML practices. In recent years, licensing requirements have been updated. The regulator has strengthened beneficial-owner checks, documentation requirements, and software oversight.

Types of Gambling Licenses in Anjouan and What They Cover

Anjouan operates under a universal license that covers several areas of gambling activity and does not require separate permits for each type of service.

An Anjouan gambling license covers the following activities:

• online casinos (slots, table games, roulette, blackjack);
• sports betting (sportsbook platforms, virtual sports);
• esports and video game disciplines;
• poker rooms, lotteries, bingo, and scratch cards;
• crypto casinos and smart-contract-based platforms.

When expanding the range of services provided, obtaining a new license is generally not required, provided that the activities comply with the terms of the existing permit.

Legal and Corporate Requirements for Obtaining a License

To obtain a license, a company must meet the regulator's requirements and provide the required set of documents.

The first step is always the registration of an online casino in Anjouan by establishing a local company (IBC) or a legal entity in a recognized international jurisdiction. The following corporate standards apply:

1. Directors and shareholders: at least one director and one shareholder, either an individual or a legal entity. There are no residency restrictions.
2. Due diligence: all beneficial owners holding a 10% or greater interest must undergo identity and source-of-funds verification.
3. No criminal record: key individuals involved in the project must provide a certificate of no criminal record.
4. Registered address: a registered office or agent must be maintained in Anjouan.

Business reputation and source-of-funds checks are mandatory parts of the licensing procedure. This is necessary to protect the jurisdiction from bad-faith participants and maintain a high level of trust within the international financial system.

Technical and Operational Requirements

In addition to the corporate structure, the platform's technical compliance with regulatory requirements is assessed. The software must undergo certification, and the system must comply with security and data protection requirements.

The technical audit includes testing of the random number generator (RNG). The software must be certified by an independent laboratory, such as iTech Labs, BMM Testlabs, or GLI. The project must also provide a clear architecture for storing player data and demonstrate protection against DDoS attacks.

The website itself must publish documents governing the operation of the service: Terms & Conditions, a Privacy Policy, and Responsible Gambling sections with a self-exclusion mechanism. When an Anjouan gambling license is used, the regulator strictly monitors the prevention of underage users from accessing the platform.

License Application and Acquisition Process: Step-by-Step Guide

The licensing process consists of several consecutive stages:

1. Preparation: collection of personal documents from beneficial owners, including passports, proof of address, certificates of no criminal record, and bank reference letters.
2. Corporate structuring: company registration and preparation of a business plan describing the marketing strategy and financial flows.
3. Website and software preparation: platform audit, review of agreements with providers, preparation of legal disclaimers, and RNG certification.
4. Application submission: submission of the complete documentation package to the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority.
5. Compliance review: completion of AML/KYC checks by the regulator.
6. License issuance: payment of government fees and receipt of the official certificate.

With properly prepared documentation, the entire procedure can be completed remotely through an authorized representative.

Timeline and Cost: All Payments and Fees

One of the factors behind the jurisdiction's popularity is its relatively low licensing cost compared with a number of European jurisdictions.

The standard document review period is 3–5 weeks after submission of the complete application package. The total cost includes the government application fee, annual license maintenance fee, local company registration expenses, and legal support. On average, the initial turnkey costs are 2–3 times lower than those associated with obtaining the updated Curaçao license.

When planning the budget, it is recommended to account for both initial expenses and annual payments required under the licensing terms.

Legal Risks and Penalties; AML/CFT Compliance

Financial monitoring and anti-money laundering measures are a top priority for any modern regulator. Anjouan is no exception. In recent years, the jurisdiction has significantly tightened its AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and CFT (Countering the Financing of Terrorism) rules to fully comply with international FATF standards. For licensees, AML/KYC compliance is a mandatory condition for conducting business.

The operator must implement tiered customer verification. During registration or upon the first withdrawal, the system must request documents verifying the player's identity and residential address. In addition, the software must automatically screen users against sanctions lists and PEP (politically exposed persons) lists. Any suspicious transactions — for example, a sudden deposit of large amounts without subsequent betting activity or attempts to use someone else's bank cards — must be recorded by an AML Compliance Officer.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in serious consequences. The Anjouan regulator has the authority to impose strict sanctions, ranging from official warnings and substantial financial penalties to full suspension or revocation of the license. Depending on the nature of the violation, the regulator may issue a warning, impose a fine, suspend the license, or revoke it. Re-entering the market after such an incident would be virtually impossible.

For this reason, companies must regularly maintain compliance with AML/CFT requirements and internal compliance procedures.

How to Verify the Authenticity of an Anjouan License

The authenticity of a license can be verified through the regulator's official services.

Each licensed operator receives a unique Digital Seal, which is displayed in the website footer. By clicking this clickable logo, users are redirected to the regulator's official domain, where the company's current status is displayed: Active, Suspended, or Expired. Authenticity can also be verified by making a direct request to the Anjouan Corporate Services registry using the company name or license number.

Ready to Launch Your Gambling Project?

The choice of jurisdiction affects the licensing procedure, subsequent work with payment systems, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Beforis team handles the entire process, from company structuring and AML checks to account opening and ongoing legal support.

Beforis specialists provide support throughout the licensing process, from document preparation to communication with the regulator. Contact us to receive a consultation and find the optimal solution for your project.