Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an Anjouan gambling license?
The standard processing time for an Anjouan gambling license is 4–8 weeks from the date of
submitting a complete application. This includes document preparation (1-2 weeks),
background checks (2-3 weeks), technical review (1-2 weeks), and final approval. The process
can be expedited with complete and accurate documentation submitted upfront and by working
with experienced licensing consultants. Delays may occur due to incomplete documentation or
additional information requests.
Do I need a local company in Curacao?
No, you do not need to establish a company in Anjouan to obtain a gambling license.
However, you must have a registered company in an acceptable jurisdiction, such as
offshore jurisdictions (Costa Rica, Nevis, Anjouan, Seychelles) or other jurisdictions
with transparent corporate registration. You need a registered company, corporate bank
account, registered office address, and clear ownership structure, but you don’t need a
physical office in Anjouan, local staff, or a local bank account.
Many applicants establish a company in a cost-effective offshore jurisdiction before
applying for the Anjouan license, which provides lower incorporation costs, tax
optimization opportunities, faster company registration, and banking flexibility.
Is there a minimum share capital requirement?
No, Anjouan does not have a mandatory minimum share capital requirement for obtaining a
gambling license. However, you must demonstrate sufficient operational funds to run the
business, provide bank statements showing available capital, submit a business plan with
financial projections, and show proof of funds for initial setup and operations.
What activities does a gaming licence cover?
An Anjouan gaming license covers a comprehensive range of online gambling activities
under a single license. Covered activities include:
- online casino games: slots, table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat),
video
poker, progressive jackpots - live casino: live dealer games, real-time table games, interactive gaming
- sports betting: pre-match betting, live betting (in-play), virtual sports,
esports - poker: cash games, tournaments, sit & go, multi-table poker
- bingo: 75-ball and 90-ball bingo, speed bingo, jackpot bingo
- lottery games: online lottery, instant win games, keno
- other games: skill games, fantasy sports
The license does not cover land-based gambling operations or non-gambling activities. A
single Anjouan license covers all online gambling activities—you don’t need separate
licenses for each game type. The license can cover both B2C (player-facing) and B2B
(business-facing) operations.
Which countries can I operate into?
You cannot target strictly regulated jurisdictions that require local licenses: United
States (requires state licenses), United Kingdom (requires UKGC license), France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia (restricted
for offshore operators). You must also avoid countries with complete online gambling
bans and jurisdictions explicitly blocking offshore operators.
You must implement geo-blocking to prevent access from jurisdictions where you’re not
licensed and comply with local advertising laws. Best practice is to focus on
unregulated or lightly regulated markets where an Anjouan license is accepted, avoiding
heavily regulated jurisdictions that require local licensing.
Are crypto payments allowed?
Yes, cryptocurrency payments are fully allowed under an Anjouan gambling license, making
it one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions. You can accept all major
cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash
(BCH), Ripple (XRP), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), and others.
Benefits include: lower transaction fees compared to traditional payment methods,
faster deposits and withdrawals, access to markets where traditional banking is
restricted, reduced chargebacks and fraud, anonymity options for players, and no
currency conversion fees.
Even with cryptocurrency, you must still comply with AML/KYC regulations: player identity
verification is required, transaction monitoring for suspicious activity must be
maintained, records of crypto transactions must be kept, and you must comply with
international AML standards. You can integrate cryptocurrency payments through payment
processors (CoinsPaid, Coinbase Commerce, BitPay), direct wallet integration, or hybrid
solutions combining crypto and fiat options.
Some operators choose to accept only cryptocurrency, which offers simplified banking
requirements, reduced regulatory scrutiny in some cases, access to crypto-focused player
base, and lower operational costs.
What happens if my application is rejected?
While Anjouan has relatively lenient requirements, applications can be rejected for
various reasons including criminal history of directors/shareholders, previous
regulatory violations, incomplete or inaccurate documentation, insufficient financial
resources, questionable source of funds, inadequate gaming platform, or lack of proper
RNG certification. If rejected, you have three options:
1. Appeal the decision. Submit written appeal within 30 days with additional
documentation addressing concerns. Appeal fee is $1,000–$2,000 with review time of 2–4
weeks. Success rate depends on reasons for rejection.
2. Reapply. Address all deficiencies identified, submit a new complete application, and
pay full application fees again. A waiting period of 3–6 months is typically
recommended. Higher success rate if issues are properly addressed.
3. Consider alternative jurisdictions. Evaluate other licensing options such as Curaçao
or Kahnawake which may have different requirements. Consult with licensing experts to
find the best alternative.
Note that application fees are non-refundable. To improve reapplication success,
thoroughly review rejection reasons, correct all deficiencies, provide additional
supporting documentation, improve your business plan, enhance financial documentation,
upgrade technical infrastructure, and work with experienced licensing consultants. Even
if rejected, you can typically reapply after addressing the issues.
