Best iGaming License for Startups in 2026

Which iGaming Licence Is Best for a Startup?

For many early-stage operators, the first shortlist starts with Anjouan, Tobique and Nevis.

These jurisdictions are generally easier to consider at startup stage than Malta or the Isle of Man, where the business needs more capital, stronger governance and a larger compliance budget.

Curaçao sits somewhere in the middle. It remains an important international gaming jurisdiction, but the post-reform licensing model is much more structured than the old Curaçao system.

What Should a Startup Look for in a Gaming Licence?

Startups often compare licences only by price. That is usually a mistake.

The licence fee is only one part of the launch budget. A practical choice should also consider:

• company formation;
• compliance requirements;
• AML and KYC policies;
• game and platform certification;
• banking and payment processing;
• game provider acceptance;
• target-country restrictions;
• annual renewal costs;
• local staff or management requirements;
• future B2B plans;
• expected GGR and business scale.

A licence that looks cheaper on day one can become more expensive if the operator later needs to rebuild the company structure, change payment providers or move to another jurisdiction.

Startup Gaming Licence Comparison

These are regulatory fees, not complete launch budgets. Legal work, corporate services, compliance, technology, testing and banking are normally additional.

Anjouan: A Practical Entry Licence for Startups

Anjouan is often one of the first jurisdictions considered by new international gaming operators.

The Anjouan Gaming Authority currently publishes separate B2C and B2B licence categories. B2C covers operators serving players, while B2B covers critical suppliers providing platform, software or technical services.

The official licence issuance fee is €17,828 and the annual renewal fee is also €17,828.

Anjouan can make sense when the founders want to launch a real licensed business but are not ready for the cost and operational structure of Malta or the Isle of Man.

It should not be treated as a universal licence. Before applying, the operator should confirm that the planned countries, payment providers, platform and game suppliers will work with the structure.

Read our full Anjouan Gaming License guide.

Tobique: Flexible, but Still a Young Jurisdiction

Tobique is another option that has attracted startup interest.

The Tobique Gaming Commission licenses both B2C and B2B businesses and maintains a public register of active licence holders.

Tobique can be relevant for founders who want a relatively flexible international structure and do not need an EU licence from the beginning.

However, it is a much younger regulatory framework than Malta or the Isle of Man. A startup should therefore confirm banking, payment processing, provider acceptance and target-market requirements before choosing it.

Read our Tobique Gaming License guide for more information.

Nevis: A New Option Worth Watching

Nevis introduced its current online gaming framework in 2025, so it is one of the newer jurisdictions in this comparison.

The Nevis Online Gaming Authority issues separate B2C and B2B licences. Only companies incorporated in Nevis are eligible to apply.

The published licence fee is €28,000. The licence is valid for one year and the renewal fee is also €28,000.

Nevis can be a sensible option for founders who want a regulated structure but do not necessarily need Malta or Isle of Man from day one.

Because the regime is still relatively new, startups should confirm real provider, payment and banking acceptance for their specific business before making the decision.

See our Nevis Gaming License guide.

Curaçao: No Longer the Simple Cheap Startup Licence

Curaçao remains one of the best-known international gaming jurisdictions, but founders should forget the old idea that a Curaçao licence is simply a cheap sub-licence that can be obtained with minimal compliance.

The National Ordinance on Games of Chance, known as the LOK, came into effect on 24 December 2024. Applications are now handled under the Curaçao Gaming Authority framework.

The regulator reviews ownership, key persons, AML controls, player-fund management, responsible gaming, information security and other operational areas.

Curaçao can still be attractive for a serious international operator. It is simply not the obvious cheapest MVP licence anymore.

Read our Curaçao Gaming License guide.

Malta: For Startups That Are Already Well Funded

Malta is a very different proposition from Anjouan, Tobique or Nevis.

A Malta Gaming Authority licence can be a strong long-term asset, but a startup should have enough capital to handle the full compliance, governance and technical framework.

For standard B2C gaming services, the MGA publishes a €5,000 application fee and a €25,000 annual licence fee. B2C licensees may also have Compliance Contribution and other regulatory costs.

Malta also has minimum capital requirements depending on Game Type and a structured system-audit process.

Malta usually makes more sense when the startup already has investors, experienced management, a working platform and enough runway to absorb a longer and more demanding licensing process.

Read our Malta Gaming License guide.

Isle of Man: Strong for Funded and More Complex Projects

The Isle of Man is another established jurisdiction, but it is rarely the first choice for a founder whose main goal is simply to launch as cheaply as possible.

The Full Online Gambling Licence has an official application fee of £5,250 and an annual fee of £36,750.

Its main attraction is not the low price. It is the breadth of the structure. A Full Licence can support several gaming activities and can be relevant to businesses combining B2C and B2B operations.

For a funded company that expects to add B2B services, multiple brands or several gaming verticals, the Isle of Man can be worth considering from the beginning.

See our Isle of Man Gaming License guide and Isle of Man Gaming License Cost guide .

How Much Should an iGaming Startup Budget?

The regulator fee is not the startup budget.

Before choosing a licence, founders should build a first-year model that includes all major launch costs.

A founder who has €25,000 available for the licence but nothing left for compliance, PSP onboarding and marketing does not really have a €25,000 licensing budget.

The Cheapest Gaming Licence Is Not Always the Best Licence

Price matters for a startup, but it should not be the only decision.

A very cheap structure is not useful if the operator later discovers that the required game provider will not onboard the company, the target market requires another licence or the payment strategy does not work.

Before paying any regulator or service provider, confirm at least four things:

1. Where the business intends to take players.
2. Which platform and game providers it intends to use.
3. Which banks and PSPs are realistic for the structure.
4. Whether the licence will still suit the company 12–24 months later.

Best Licence for an Online Casino Startup

For a new international online casino with a limited but realistic budget, Anjouan is often one of the first options worth analysing.

Tobique and Nevis can also be considered depending on the target markets, provider relationships and total project budget.

Curaçao becomes more relevant where the founders have enough budget for a stronger compliance structure and want a more established international jurisdiction.

Malta and the Isle of Man normally make more sense once the project is properly funded or already has a strong operating team.

Best Licence for a Sportsbook Startup

A sportsbook startup should look beyond the licence itself.

The operator must confirm that the sportsbook provider, odds supplier, payment setup and target markets all work with the proposed jurisdiction.

For an early-stage international sportsbook, Anjouan, Tobique or Nevis may be considered first. A larger funded sportsbook may also look at Curaçao, Malta or the Isle of Man.

Best Licence for a Crypto Casino Startup

Crypto does not remove AML and KYC obligations.

A crypto casino needs to explain how deposits and withdrawals work, how wallet risk is managed, how players are identified and how suspicious transactions are handled.

Some early-stage crypto projects look first at Anjouan or Tobique because of their international positioning and relatively flexible business models. Nevis can also be considered.

The right answer still depends on the exact crypto flow, jurisdictions served and payment partners.

Best Licence for a B2B Platform or Game Provider Startup

A B2B startup should first decide what it is actually supplying.

A company building a full casino platform has different regulatory needs from a studio producing individual games or a business supplying only back-office technology.

Anjouan and Nevis both publish separate B2B licence categories. Tobique also licenses B2B businesses.

Malta has a dedicated Critical Gaming Supply framework, while the Isle of Man offers both broader Full Licence options and a separate Software Supplier Licence.

For a small B2B startup, the Tier-1 routes may be unnecessarily expensive at the beginning. For a company selling to major regulated operators, however, Malta or Isle of Man can become commercially important.

What Will Banks and PSPs Ask a Startup?

Getting the gaming licence is only part of the job.

Banks and payment providers usually want to understand:

• who owns the company;
• where the founders' money comes from;
• which countries the operator targets;
• expected monthly volumes;
• average deposit and withdrawal size;
• whether crypto is involved;
• how AML and fraud controls work;
• which gaming licence the company holds;
• which platform and game providers are used.

Banking should therefore be discussed before the licence application, not after the website is ready to launch.

See our iGaming banking and payment solutions.

Will Game Providers Accept a Startup Licence?

There is no universal answer.

Every game provider has its own compliance policy. Acceptance can depend on the licence, company, target markets, ownership structure and the distributor or aggregator used.

A startup should therefore make a provider shortlist before choosing the jurisdiction.

Do not buy a licence first and only then ask whether the games you want are available under it.

If technical testing is required, see our iGaming certification services.

When Should a Startup Choose Malta or the Isle of Man?

Malta or the Isle of Man can make sense from day one if the startup is not really a small bootstrap project.

Examples include:

• a startup backed by institutional investors;
• a management team with previous regulated gaming experience;
• a company launching with significant working capital;
• a B2B supplier targeting established regulated operators;
• a group building several gaming products under one long-term structure;
• a project where an EU regulatory base is commercially important.

In these cases, paying more at the beginning may be cheaper than migrating the entire business one year later.

Can a Startup Change Gaming Jurisdiction Later?

Yes, but it is not as simple as changing the company address.

Moving from one gaming jurisdiction to another can involve:

• a new company;
• a new licence application;
• new KYC and due diligence;
• new banking and PSP onboarding;
• changes to player terms;
• new technical approvals;
• provider contract amendments;
• domain and website changes;
• player migration planning.

This is why the cheapest first-year option is not always the cheapest three-year option.

Common Licensing Mistakes Made by iGaming Startups

1. Choosing the licence only by price

Licence fees are easy to compare. Banking, compliance and provider acceptance are harder, but often more important.

2. Choosing target markets after getting the licence

The legal market strategy should come first. The licence should support that strategy, not the other way around.

3. Forgetting the renewal budget

A startup needs enough money not only to launch but also to maintain the licence and company in year two.

4. Assuming every PSP accepts every gaming licence

PSP risk appetite changes. The operator needs realistic payment options before launch.

5. Ignoring compliance until the application starts

AML, KYC, responsible gaming and risk controls should be designed as part of the business, not copied into documents at the last minute.

6. Building too much before checking licensing

Some founders spend heavily on a platform and marketing before confirming that the planned structure can legally and commercially support the project.

Our Practical Recommendation by Startup Type

A Simple Way to Choose

If you are still unsure, start with four questions.

1. What is the total first-year budget?
2. Which countries will the business target?
3. Which banks, PSPs and game providers are required?
4. Where should the business be in two years?

If the answer is “launch quickly, test the product and keep the regulatory budget controlled,” start by reviewing Anjouan, Tobique and Nevis.

If the answer is “build a larger regulated operation with stronger governance from the beginning,” compare Curaçao, Malta and the Isle of Man.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gaming licence for a startup?

There is no universal best licence. For smaller international startups, Anjouan, Tobique and Nevis are often sensible jurisdictions to review first. Larger funded projects may consider Curaçao, Malta or the Isle of Man.

What is the cheapest iGaming licence for a startup?

Among the jurisdictions compared here, Anjouan has one of the lower published regulator fees. However, the cheapest regulator fee does not necessarily mean the lowest total launch cost.

How much is the Anjouan gaming licence?

The Anjouan Gaming Authority currently publishes a €17,828 licence issuance fee and a €17,828 annual renewal fee for both B2C and B2B licences.

How much is the Nevis gaming licence?

The Nevis Online Gaming Authority publishes a €28,000 licence fee for B2C and B2B licences. The licence is renewed annually for €28,000.

Is Curaçao good for startups?

It can be, but Curaçao is now a much more structured licensing jurisdiction under the LOK regime. Startups should budget for real compliance, governance and ongoing regulatory requirements.

Is Malta a good licence for a new casino?

Malta can be a strong option for a well-funded startup with an experienced team and a long-term EU strategy. It is usually too heavy for a small MVP whose main priority is a low-cost launch.

Is the Isle of Man suitable for startups?

Yes, particularly for well-funded businesses with more complex B2C and B2B plans. It is not normally chosen simply to minimise initial licensing cost.

Which licence is best for a crypto casino?

Anjouan, Tobique and Nevis may be worth reviewing for crypto-oriented international projects, but the exact wallet, AML, KYC and payment model must be checked before launch.

Which licence is best for a sportsbook startup?

Anjouan, Tobique and Nevis can be practical early-stage options. The final choice should also depend on the sportsbook provider, target markets and payment setup.

Can a startup operate without a gaming licence?

Whether a licence is required depends on the activity and the countries involved. A business taking bets or casino wagers from players should not assume it can operate without regulatory authorisation.

Does one gaming licence allow a startup to target every country?

No. Gambling rules are country-specific. A licence from one jurisdiction does not automatically override local licensing requirements elsewhere.

Should a startup get the licence before finding payment providers?

Ideally, no. The licensing and payment strategy should be planned together. The startup should know which banks and PSPs are realistic before spending heavily on the final setup.

Can a startup move from Anjouan to Malta later?

Yes, but it requires a new regulatory and corporate process. It can also affect banking, providers, player terms and technical setup.

Should a B2B startup get a gaming licence?

It depends on what the company supplies and where its clients operate. Platform providers, game suppliers and critical gaming technology businesses can require B2B licensing in several jurisdictions.

How long should a startup plan for licensing?

Do not build a business plan around the shortest advertised timeline. Preparation, company formation, due diligence, technical work and regulator questions can all affect the real launch date.

Conclusion: Start With the Business, Not the Licence

A gaming licence should support the business model. It should not define it.

For a small international startup, Anjouan, Tobique and Nevis are usually the most natural places to start the comparison.

Curaçao becomes more relevant when the founders are ready for a more structured compliance environment.

Malta and the Isle of Man make more sense for well-funded businesses that are prepared to invest in governance, capital, compliance and long-term regulatory infrastructure.

Before applying, compare the complete project: licence, company, banking, games, payments, target markets, compliance and the next two years of growth.

You can compare the available options on our iGaming licence comparison page.

Not Sure Which Licence Fits Your Startup?

Tell us what you are launching, your target markets, expected budget, gaming products and preferred payment model.

We can compare the available jurisdictions and build a practical licensing structure around the project.

Discuss your iGaming startup with our team .