Anjouan is a fairly popular option when it comes to licensing gambling projects in 2025. In fact, this jurisdiction offers many benefits that fledgling entrepreneurs might not be aware of. Together, we will explore the main characteristics, advantages, and possible drawbacks of the gambling regulatory framework in Anjouan.

Anjouan: An Emerging Gambling Hub

The Anjouan gambling license is one of the most famous and frequently obtained gambling licenses in the world, along with other offshore options like Malta or Curaçao. The main factor that sets Anjouan apart is its high regulatory standards aimed at controlling online gambling, in this way improving the island’s economy. There are mandatory anti-money laundering, safe gambling, and fair play laws in place to guarantee that the online gambling industry on the island is transparent and properly regulated.

The Benefits of Obtaining a Gambling License in Anjouan

Securing a gambling license in Anjouan, which is part of the Comoros Islands, can bring a lot of advantages to any online gambling startup. For starters, Anjouan is a tax-free offshore country for gambling businesses: it does not tax the gross gaming income of IBCs. This allows business owners to invest more money in the improvement of their business processes instead of spending it on taxes.

Another benefit is the range of permitted activities under the license. With its relatively light regulatory framework, Anjouan allows for a vast diversity of business models: online casinos, sports betting platforms, crypto gaming, lottery and raffles, online poker, slot machines, and play-2-earn platforms. This means that you can run practically any online gambling-related business activity as long as you own a legal permit and stay compliant with local regulations.

Understanding Anjouan’s Gambling Laws and Regulations

The main regulatory body in charge of licensing online gaming platforms and overseeing their compliance in Anjouan is the Anjouan Betting and Gaming Board (ABGB). It also controls the implementation and adherence to the island’s main gambling laws: the Computer Gaming Licensing Act of 1999 and the Betting and Gaming Act of 2005. The online gambling license, which follows both, allows for such regulated services and activities as online gambling, sports betting, eSports betting, online bingo, play-2-earn video games, and more. Another regulatory body in Anjouan is the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority. It oversees the formation of and grants licenses to the International Business Companies (IBCs).

The Licensing Process: Step-by-Step Guide

The licensing process for online casinos in Anjouan starts with forming a company on the island: it includes assigning a local representative who was approved by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority. After this, business owners have to:

• Make sure they meet the monetary requirements, including the yearly licensing fee and the initial paid-up capital;
• Prepare a documentation package that includes the personal information of the directors and shareholders, the incorporation documents (the Articles of Association & Memorandum of Association), the company’s internal policies, including the AML-CFT compliance documents and the KYC terms and conditions, the Random Number Generation (RNG) testing certificates, etc;
• Run fitness & property checks for all beneficiaries, shareholders, and directors;
• Pay the license cost depending on the specific business model and case;
• Pay the annual fees after the license is obtained.

These are the key steps in the process of online gambling license obtainment in Anjouan. The license must be renewed annually with the payment of a corresponding licensing fee, which is necessary for uninterrupted compliance.

Required Documentation and Fees

Like any other gambling license, Anjouan requires certain paperwork on your part. First and foremost, when you apply for the permit, you must submit your incorporation and company strategy documents. Then, you must attach the documents that describe your company’s compliance policies with relevant AML-CFT laws. In addition, when it comes to the opening of an online gambling business, it is required to present proof of domain name registration and ownership, Random Number Generation (RNG) testing certificates, and, in some cases, your contracts with game suppliers. The second part of the corporate paperwork includes the personal documentation of beneficiaries, shareholders, and directors.

Apart from the starting licensing fee, you will be required to pay an additional yearly fee for your license renewal. This annual fee is required to keep your Anjouan gambling license active and remain compliant with local laws.

Tax Implications for Gambling Businesses in Anjouan

Anjouan has one of the most beneficial taxation policies among all jurisdictions that license gambling projects. It is a tax-free jurisdiction for offshore gambling projects that does not impose any tax on the gross gaming income of the locally registered International Business Companies. The zero tax is another factor that makes Anjouan a very attractive destination for online gambling startups.

Challenges and Considerations for License Applicants

Despite its great popularity, the regulatory framework for online gambling businesses in Anjouan is still on the way to being fully developed. Therefore, if you are planning to apply for the license, you must evaluate whether it corresponds to the regulatory standards of the country (or countries) in which you are planning to offer your services. If your target markets do not view Anjouan as a reputable jurisdiction for licensing online gambling businesses, your company’s reputation can be damaged as well. Besides, consider challenges on the way to securing a bank account or another payment gateway for your company: due to regulatory uncertainty, some financial institutions are hesitant to partner with gambling businesses licensed in Anjouan.

The Future of Gambling in Anjouan

Overall, Anjouan has the potential to become one of the most influential online gambling regulators in the future. On the flip side of the coin, if more and more businesses apply for the license as a relatively cheap and tax-free solution, the local government might need to put stricter laws in place in order to secure its international credibility. Besides, Anjouan is at risk of losing its competitive edge compared to other relatively lenient offshore jurisdictions licensing online gambling startups. Whether Anjouan will strengthen its position in the global market while still remaining affordable for young entrepreneurs, only time will tell.