Anjouan Gaming Licence 2026: Complete Guide for Online Casino Startups
Launching an online casino starts with one decision that influences almost everything that follows: choosing the right gaming licence.
For many startup operators, the Anjouan Gaming Licence has become one of the most practical ways to enter the market. The jurisdiction combines a relatively straightforward application process with broad product coverage and a corporate structure that can be established without the cost and administrative burden associated with more heavily regulated licensing regimes.
That does not mean launching the business is simple.
The licence is only one part of the project. A successful operation also depends on the right company structure, payment strategy, supplier acceptance, compliance documentation, technical platform and a clear understanding of where the business can legally operate.
This guide explains the complete Anjouan Gaming Licence setup, including costs, company incorporation, application stages, required documentation, timelines, restricted territories and when operators choose a Costa Rica company or add an optional Cyprus company to support banking and payment operations.
Most unsuccessful gaming startups do not fail because they chose the wrong licence. They fail because the licensing decision was made before the founders had a workable plan for banking, payments, suppliers and compliance. Those elements should always be designed together.
Anjouan Gaming Licence at a Glance
| Complete setup | From €28,828 |
| Licence duration | One year, renewable annually |
| Domains included | Two domains |
| Additional domains | Available for an additional annual fee |
| Typical company | Costa Rica company |
| Standard licensing timeline | Approximately four to five weeks after the full application is approved for filing |
| Fast-track option | Available subject to document readiness and compliance approval |
What Can You Operate Under an Anjouan Gaming Licence?
One of the reasons Anjouan has become popular with startup operators is that a single licence can support several remote gaming products. That allows founders to launch with one vertical and expand later without rebuilding the legal structure from the beginning.
The exact scope depends on the approved business model, platform, supplier agreements and licensing conditions. In practice, the licence may cover:
- - Online casino games
- - Sports betting
- - Live dealer products
- - Poker
- - Bingo
- - Lottery products
- - Table games
- - Web3 gambling products
- - Crypto casino operations
- - Other approved remote gaming activities
The commercial advantage is flexibility rather than the number of products listed on the licence. A business can launch with an online casino, validate the concept and introduce a sportsbook or other gaming verticals later, provided the platform, supplier agreements and approved licence scope support that expansion.
That approach is particularly useful for startups working with limited capital, where launching quickly is often more important than offering every product on day one.
Who Is the Licence Best Suited For?
Anjouan is usually selected by founders who want to launch efficiently without committing to the cost and administrative requirements of a more heavily regulated jurisdiction from the outset.
It may be suitable for:
- First-time online casino founders
- Crypto-focused gaming projects
- Casino and sportsbook startups
- Businesses launching through a turnkey platform
- Operators testing a new product or traffic source
- International projects targeting permitted markets
- Businesses that need several gaming verticals under one licence
For many startups, the greatest advantage is not the initial saving. It is the ability to launch while the commercial opportunity still exists. Waiting several additional months for licensing, supplier onboarding or corporate restructuring can easily cost more than the difference between two licensing options.
Who Should Consider Another Jurisdiction?
Anjouan is not the right licence for every business.
Anjouan is not intended to solve every regulatory challenge. Depending on the business model, another jurisdiction may provide a stronger long-term foundation where the operator:
- Plans to target locally regulated European markets
- Requires a Tier 1 licence from the first day
- Needs direct access to banking partners that do not accept offshore gaming structures
- Intends to operate in a country prohibited under the licence
- Has investors requiring a more heavily regulated framework
- Already operates at a scale that supports a larger compliance team and local substance requirements
The licence should support the business strategy rather than define it. Choosing the least expensive option is rarely a saving if the structure later limits banking, supplier acceptance or expansion into new markets.
How Much Does a Complete Anjouan Setup Cost?
The complete Anjouan licensing setup begins from approximately €28,828.
This is not simply a government licence fee. The standard package combines the licensing and corporate elements needed to establish the operating structure.
| Service | First Year | Second and Following Years |
|---|---|---|
| Anjouan licence annual fee | €17,828 | €17,828 |
| Costa Rica company | €3,500 | €3,000 |
| Documents Preparation & Application Management | €3,000 | €2,000 |
| Corporate Support (Legal & Administrative) | €4,500 | €2,500 |
| Total | €28,828 | €25,328 |
For public pricing, this can be presented as:
Complete Anjouan setup from €28,828.
Optional Services
Depending on the payment strategy and launch schedule, the operator may also require additional services.
| Optional Service | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Cyprus payment-agent company | €7,000 in the first year |
| Bank account assistance | €4,000 |
| Expedited licensing service | €5,000 |
The final proposal depends on the number of shareholders and directors, ownership structure, required payment solution, document condition and launch schedule.
Why Is a Costa Rica Company Used?
The Anjouan licence must be connected to a legal entity. For startup structures, a Costa Rica company is frequently used as the operating and contracting entity.
The company may enter into agreements with:
- The casino platform provider
- Game aggregators
- Sportsbook suppliers
- Payment providers
- Affiliates
- Marketing agencies
- Customer-support providers
Costa Rica is often selected because it offers a practical corporate structure for an international startup and is familiar to many businesses operating in the iGaming supply chain.
It also allows the licensing and corporate process to be planned together rather than forcing the operator to establish an unrelated entity first and restructure it later.
What the Costa Rica Company Does Not Solve Automatically
Incorporating the company does not guarantee access to banking, card acquiring or every payment provider.
Payment institutions assess the complete risk profile, including:
- The gaming licence
- Target markets
- UBO background
- Expected transaction volumes
- AML and KYC procedures
- Chargeback exposure
- Website readiness
- Platform and supplier agreements
The payment strategy should therefore be discussed before the company and licence structure is finalised.
Why May the Operator Need a Cyprus Payment Agent?
A Cyprus payment-agent company is an optional part of the structure. It is not required for every Anjouan licence.
It may be considered where the Costa Rica operator needs a European company for selected payment, settlement or contracting functions.
For example, the structure may be arranged so that:
- The Costa Rica company holds the gaming licence and operates the casino
- The website terms identify the licensed operator
- The Cyprus company acts under a formal agency or service agreement
- Selected PSPs contract with the Cyprus company
- Funds are reconciled and transferred according to the approved payment flow
Potential Reasons for Adding a Cyprus Company
- Access to selected European payment partners
- Euro-denominated settlement
- A European contracting entity for suppliers
- Clearer separation between gaming and payment functions
- More familiar documentation for EU counterparties
- Operational substance and accounting within the EU
The Cyprus company does not replace the gaming licence and should not be presented as the casino operator unless it actually holds that role.
Banks and PSPs must be shown the full structure, including the licensed entity, UBOs, contractual relationships and flow of funds.
Anjouan Application Process
The process can be divided into two connected workstreams: company incorporation and licence application.
Stage 1: Initial Review and Document Collection
The first step is to review the ownership structure, business model and personal documentation of every shareholder and ultimate beneficial owner.
This preliminary review is important because incomplete certification, inconsistent addresses or unclear source-of-funds information can delay both company registration and licence approval.
Stage 2: Costa Rica Company Incorporation
Once the due diligence package has been approved, the company incorporation process begins.
The corporate documents are then prepared, translated where required and legalised for use in the licence application.
Stage 3: Licence Application Preparation
While the company documents are being completed, the operator prepares the licensing package.
This includes the application form, business plan, compliance policies, domain evidence, organisational chart and supplier or testing documentation.
Stage 4: Regulatory Submission and Review
The completed file is submitted for regulatory and compliance review.
Additional questions may be raised regarding the UBO background, business model, financial projections, target markets or technical suppliers.
Stage 5: Licence Issuance and Launch Preparation
After approval and payment of the applicable fees, the licence is issued.
The operator can then complete final supplier onboarding, payment setup, website testing and launch preparation.
Stage 6: Annual Renewal and Ongoing Compliance
The licence is issued for one year and must be renewed annually.
The operator must also maintain its company, corporate records, compliance procedures and approved business structure.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The total timeline depends heavily on how quickly the shareholders provide compliant documents.
| Stage | Indicative Timeline |
|---|---|
| Document collection and preliminary review | Approximately one to two weeks |
| Costa Rica company registration | Approximately three weeks |
| Translation and apostille of corporate documents | Approximately one to two additional weeks |
| Standard licence issuance | Approximately four to five weeks after submission, compliance approval and payment |
| Fast-track review | Subject to document readiness and separate approval |
The licensing and technical workstreams can run in parallel. The operator does not need to wait for the licence before beginning platform configuration, policy preparation and supplier discussions.
Documents Required from Individual Shareholders and UBOs
Every individual shareholder or ultimate beneficial owner must complete due diligence.
The standard package includes:
- Completed internal intake form
- Certified copy of a valid international passport
- Recent proof of residential address
- Original bank reference letter
- Original professional reference letter
- Current CV or résumé
- Remote identity verification
- Source-of-funds declarations
- CRS individual self-certification form
- Personal information form
Passport Certification
The passport copy must be clear, in colour and show all four corners of the document.
It must be certified by an acceptable professional, such as a lawyer, notary or certified accountant.
The certification should include:
- The certifier’s full name
- Professional capacity
- Professional registration number where applicable
- Address and contact details
- Date of certification
- Original signature
- Confirmation that the photograph is a true likeness of the individual
Proof of Address
Acceptable proof of address may include a utility bill, landline bill or bank statement.
The document should:
- Be no older than 90 days
- Show the individual’s full name
- Show the complete residential address
- Be translated into English where necessary
Mobile telephone bills are generally not accepted.
Bank Reference Letter
The bank reference should be issued by a bank where the individual has maintained a relationship for at least two years.
It should be printed on the bank’s letterhead and include the bank officer’s signature and branch contact details.
Professional Reference Letter
The professional reference should be issued by a lawyer or accountant who has known the applicant for at least two years.
It should confirm the professional relationship and include the referee’s contact information and professional number.
CV and Relevant Experience
The CV should describe the applicant’s professional background, education and contact details.
Relevant gaming, technology, finance, compliance or management experience strengthens the application.
Where the UBO has no direct iGaming background, the business plan should explain how the management team and external suppliers will cover the required expertise.
Documents Required When a Corporate Shareholder Is Involved
If a legal entity is part of the ownership structure, a certified corporate document set is required.
This may include:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Signed organisational chart
- Current director register or registry extract
- Current shareholder register or registry extract
- Beneficial ownership information where available
- Documents confirming appointment of directors
- Documents confirming appointment of shareholders
- Certificate of Good Standing
Corporate documents should generally be no older than 90 days where an updated registry document is available.
Documents Required for the Licence Application
Once the company has been registered, the licensing file is completed.
The standard application package includes:
- Completed and signed licence application form
- Proof of domain ownership
- Terms and Conditions
- KYC Policy
- Responsible Gaming Policy
- Supplier agreements or RNG testing certificates
- Organisational chart
- Signed acceptance of licence conditions
- Business plan
Proof of Domain Ownership
The regulator normally expects evidence showing that the domain is controlled by the applicant.
A screenshot from the domain registrar account showing the domain and account ownership details is commonly used.
Game Supplier and Testing Documents
Where the operator uses third-party gaming content, signed agreements or confirmation from the relevant supplier may be required.
Where the operator develops proprietary games or RNG-based content, certification from an independent testing laboratory may be necessary.
Supplier acceptance should be checked early. Not every platform or game provider accepts every licensing jurisdiction.
Business Plan Requirements
The business plan is not a marketing brochure.
It should demonstrate that the operator understands the product, target markets, ownership structure, financial model and operational risks.
The plan should normally cover:
- Executive summary
- Description of the project
- Gaming products and services
- Target markets
- UBO and management background
- Marketing strategy
- Unique selling proposition
- Three-year financial projections
- Revenue assumptions
- Expected player volumes
- Operational structure
- Platform and supplier model
- Payment strategy
The final plan should be signed by the company director.
Restricted Territories
An Anjouan licence does not allow the operator to accept players from every country.
The operator must review local law in each target market and block prohibited jurisdictions.
The restricted list includes, among others:
- Australia
- Austria
- Comoros
- France
- Germany
- The Netherlands
- Spain
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
- FATF-blacklisted jurisdictions
- Other countries prohibited by the regulator or local law
Additional sanctions-related restrictions may apply to countries such as Iran, Cuba and North Korea.
Geo-IP Blocking
Restricted countries must be blocked through the platform’s geo-location controls.
The operator should also prevent:
- Registration from prohibited territories
- Deposits from restricted players
- Marketing campaigns directed at prohibited countries
- Affiliate traffic from unauthorised markets
Geo-blocking should be supported by the Terms and Conditions, KYC procedures and affiliate agreements.
Domain Rules
The standard licence includes two domains.
Additional domains may be added for an additional annual fee.
All licensed domains must be owned and operated by the licence holder.
The operator should avoid placing unrelated brands or third-party websites under the licence without first confirming the structure with the licensing team.
Common Application Mistakes
Submitting Documents That Are Too Old
Many personal and corporate documents must be dated within the previous 90 days.
Using older documents can result in a new request and delay the application.
Incorrect Certification
A stamp without the certifier’s name, profession, contact details and date may not be accepted.
Each document should be checked before submission.
Missing English Translations
Documents issued in another language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Weak Source-of-Funds Explanation
The UBO should be able to explain how the project is financed and provide evidence supporting the declared source of funds.
Generic Business Plan
A copied or generic business plan creates more questions than it answers.
The plan should match the actual platform, markets, marketing model and financial expectations of the project.
Selecting Suppliers Too Late
Platform, game and payment-provider acceptance should be checked before the structure is finalised.
A licence has limited value if the operator’s preferred suppliers will not work with the selected company or jurisdiction.
Ignoring Restricted Markets
The operator should not build the business plan around countries that must be blocked under the licence.
What Happens After the Licence Is Issued?
Licence issuance is the beginning of the operating phase, not the end of the project.
Before launch, the operator should complete:
- Platform configuration
- Game-provider onboarding
- Payment-provider onboarding
- KYC and AML implementation
- Geo-IP blocking
- Website legal pages
- Customer-support procedures
- Affiliate terms
- Withdrawal and complaints procedures
- Final website and payment testing
The company and licence must also be renewed and maintained annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Anjouan gaming licence cost?
A complete Anjouan licensing and corporate setup starts from approximately €28,828.
This includes the licence, Costa Rica company and corporate service management. Platform, payment, marketing and operational costs are normally calculated separately.
How long is the licence valid?
The licence is valid for one year and is renewable annually.
How many domains are included?
The standard licence includes two domains.
Additional domains can be added for an additional annual fee.
Can I operate a casino and sportsbook under one licence?
The licence can cover several gaming verticals, including casino and sports betting, subject to the approved application and technical setup.
Can the licence be used for a crypto casino?
Yes. Crypto-focused gaming models can be considered.
The operator must still implement appropriate AML, KYC, sanctions and wallet-monitoring procedures.
Do I need a Costa Rica company?
A legal entity is required for the licence. The startup package described in this guide uses a Costa Rica company as the operating structure.
Do I need a Cyprus payment-agent company?
Not necessarily.
It is an optional structure that may be useful where the operator requires selected European payment or settlement arrangements. More information is available on our Cyprus company page.
Does the package include a bank account?
Bank-account assistance is available as an optional service.
Final approval always depends on the bank or payment institution.
How long does the Costa Rica company take?
Company registration normally takes around three weeks after the documents have been approved.
Additional time may be needed for translation and apostille of the corporate document set.
How long does the licence take?
The standard licensing process normally takes approximately four to five weeks after the completed application has been submitted, approved by compliance and paid.
Is a fast-track option available?
An expedited service may be available where the full documentation is ready and the application passes compliance review.
Do I need gaming experience?
Relevant gaming experience is recommended, but the full management and supplier structure is also considered.
Where the UBO has limited direct experience, the application should show how the required operational expertise will be provided.
Do I need certified documents?
Yes. Passports, proof of address and corporate documents must be certified in accordance with the application requirements.
Do documents need to be in English?
Yes. Documents issued in another language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Do I need a business plan?
Yes. The business plan should explain the project, products, target markets, management background, marketing strategy and three-year financial projections.
Can I target the United Kingdom?
No. The United Kingdom is included among the prohibited territories for this licence.
Can I target the United States?
No. The United States is also prohibited.
Do restricted countries need to be geo-blocked?
Yes. The operator must prevent access, registration and gambling activity from prohibited territories.
Can I add more brands later?
Additional domains may be added to the licence for an additional annual fee, provided they are owned and operated by the licence holder.
Does the licence guarantee acceptance by payment and game providers?
No.
Every supplier has its own risk policy. Platform, game and payment-provider acceptance should be confirmed before the project structure is finalised.
Is Anjouan the Right Licence for Your Project?
Anjouan can be a strong starting point for an operator that needs a practical licensing route, broad product coverage and a manageable initial budget.
It is particularly relevant for startups that understand one important distinction:
The objective is not simply to obtain a licence. It is to build a structure that can operate after the licence is issued.
That structure must work for the platform, game suppliers, payment providers, regulator and target markets.
When those elements are planned together, Anjouan can provide a realistic route from concept to launch.
Planning an Anjouan Gaming Project?
iGLicenses supports operators through the complete setup process, from company incorporation and document preparation to licence submission and launch coordination.
Our Anjouan services include:
- Initial project and jurisdiction assessment
- Costa Rica company incorporation
- Preparation of the licensing file
- Compliance documentation
- Business-plan support
- Regulatory submission
- Banking and payment assistance
- Cyprus payment-agent company setup where required
- Platform and supplier coordination
- Annual renewal and corporate management
Contact our team to receive a tailored proposal based on your ownership structure, target markets, product and expected launch timeline.