The Best License Between Curaçao and Anjouan for Your iGaming Business

Anjouan and Curaçao are two of the most widespread offshore licenses, which offer legal means to operate, but they have been based on different business objectives and strategies. Their differences are crucial to understand how to prevent errors and create a sustainable and fully licensed business. Both licenses offer international operations, however, they differ in their requirements, costs, and timespan, and each of them is more suited to particular types of operators.

Why Anjouan is the Best Option for Startups

The Comoros Islands have a jurisdiction called Anjouan that is quickly gaining popularity with iGaming operators who are interested in operating with fewer initial capital requirements and within a shorter time frame. It also has a simpler licensing process than Curaçao, which is why it is best suited to startups, crypto casinos, and smaller operators. 

Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) is a regulatory body that offers a legal framework that enables operators to start international gambling business with fewer obstacles yet fully compliant.

Obtaining an Anjouan License

At first, operators prepare significant documents, such as notarized versions of passports, evidence of address, a police clearance certificate, directors and owners resume, bank references and a simple business plan. 

Upon the file being submitted to AOFA or Anjouan Licensing Services Inc., the application is reviewed and due diligence is conducted and the license is usually issued in 4-6 weeks provided that all the requirements are met.

Anjouan Operator Compliance Requirements

Although Anjouan is not as strictly compliant as Curaçao, operators are required to implement the AML (anti-money laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) policies, Responsible Gaming policy, and have minimal internal controls. The critical infrastructural facilities such as at least one approved server should comply with AOFA standards to promote security and regulatory control. 

With these measures Anjouan has become a secure place where operators can seek legal assistance without experiencing extremely complicated policies.

Expenses and Continuing Costs in Anjouan

The Anjouan license is one of the most affordable in the market. The annual regulatory fee amounting to €17,828 includes the official annual license fee, produced from the regulatory fee, the approval of the compliance officer, and remote monitoring of the server. 

In general, the first year costs the most operators between €24,000 and €41,000 that covers company incorporation (around €3,000), infrastructure, AML setup, payment integration, and other operating expenses. 

Subsequent years renewal fees are usually €22,000-€30,000, which is based on the revenue from the operations.

Anjouan License in Practice

Anjouan is best suited to startups, small operators, and crypto casinos that do not require to spend a lot of money to launch fast. Its rapid licensing policy and reduced costs and 0% taxes enable operators to spend more on platform development, marketing or customer acquisition. 

It remains a well-accepted license in the iGaming market, meanwhile it is not the best option whether you need a highly-reputational license. For this reason, you can consider another popular gambling license, a Curaçao License.

What Makes a Curaçao License a Reliable International License

Curaçao is now seen as a much more credible jurisdiction. It leads to the licensing of many iGaming products, such as sports betting, lotteries, casino games, virtual sports, and esports. Its crypto-friendly policy promotes cryptocurrency user operators. 

As of 2024, the LOK regulations took effect in Curaçao. Introduced to replace the master license system, they mandate a level of compliance more in line with the European standards. Since then, the Curaçao license’s credibility has skyrocketed. It’s now a much more attractive option for players and banks alike, helping businesses stay stable and grow for the long haul.

Stricter Application to Obtain a Curaçao License

The first step operators take is to select the type of the license. Like Anjouan, Curaçao offers both B2B and B2C licenses. 

Secondly, operators form a local entity, draw up a business plan, appoint at least one resident director, and finally open a physical office. There should be full, valid and verified essential personal and corporate documents such as passports, evidence of address, criminal record, bank reference and UBO disclosure. 

The infrastructure shall be able to satisfy the requirements such as one local server at minimum.

Review Process Submission

Applications are also done via the official portal by use of gaming operations forms, corporate information forms and personal history forms.

Application fee according to the LOK rules is approximately €4,600, and the due diligence fees are €140-€270 per person. 

Alterations to UBOs need approval of CGA at a fee of €150. This is done through integrity and full compliance review by the CGA which normally lasts not more than 8 weeks. 

The full operational arrangement can take 3-6 months but there may be delays in case documents are not ready or due diligence is prolonged.

Tightened New LOK System to Protect Players

In 2024, the LOK system obligates operators to set up an ADR mechanism of controversy, including at least three independent experts and no less than three reviews free in 90 days. Examples of player protections are self-exclusion, limited credit provision, and tighter advertising policies. The operators have to be registered under goAML and coordinate the KYC procedures and responsible gambling policies. Lack of compliance can lead to fines or termination of the license.

Curaçao License in Use

Curaçao covers premium global positioning and ensures trust on the market. It has zero tax on GGR, and full amount of business types of your project. Also, it demands higher player protections measures, and under new compliance restrictions, the popularity of this license slightly decreases. Now it appeals that operators fail to comply with all of the new rules alone without support by the experts. 

At MGL we can make your iGaming business more reputational by obtaining this license. We complete all the forms with the higher checks on the accuracy, and can assist in obtaining the license in less than 3-4 months.

Comparative Approach of Key Factors to Choose the Best Option 

Both licenses have their benefits and negative sides. As it was shown, obtaining an Anjouan license is easy and fast, but it still does not have the level of reputation that Curaçao has. 

We made a brief overview to select the main differences and comparatives of these licenses, in order to save your time at the final decision.

Main Requirements of Curaçao and Anjouan Licenses

As for Curaçao, under the new LOK system, operators’ iGaming businesses must be incorporated in Curaçao, have a local office, resident managing director, local employee, and at least one server on the island. 

Meanwhile Anjouan licenses do not require a local entity, local director and representative, or physical office.

The policies on AML/KYC, financial health, and responsible gambling are obligatory for Curaçao.  

Anjouan has the basic requirements as a company incorporated, essential business and personal documents (ID, proof of address, etc.,), compliance with basic AML, and maintaining an operational gaming website. 

In addition, both of the licenses have 0% Gaming Taxes, and no mandatory minimum capital requirements.

Limited Markets for Both Licenses

Anjouan and Curaçao both need to geo-block the USA, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other FATF blacklisted countries. Restricted markets under Anjouan license are Spain, Austria, and Australia Comoros Islands (Anjouan territory). As, for Curaçao, it remains impossible to launch in Australia, and Curaçao itself.

Company Incorporation

For Anjouan it is recommended to choose a company in Belize, Costa Rica or Marshall Islands, while for Curaçao it is mandatory to have a company only in Curaçao. The fees also vary: company cost under Anjouan license starts from €1,700, and Curaçao obligates higher fees starting from €6,000. Timeframes of company obtaining are also different, for Anjouan it takes 2-3 months, while in Curaçao it ranges between 3 months to 1-2 years.

Costs and Time to Obtain a License

Compare the Anjouan Gambling License with Curaçao in terms of cost, additional fees, and processing time.

Main Obstacles of Both Licenses

Many operators fail to double-check these approaches before applying: for Anjouan license, consider you have a well-worked payment system, banking checks and reputation for the jurisdiction. Misleading these steps can cost you fines and revocation of a license. Under Curaçao license, you should check on each detail of your paperwork in order to avoid any tiny mistake. The new LOK system refuses uncompleted documents, and you can lose the reputation and spend much money and time to apply for the license again.

Final Overview of Anjouan and Curaçao

Anjouan provides the ideal entry option: a low-cost and fast entry option highly suitable to startups and crypto platforms.

Curaçao offers a highly-regulated and globally-respected license, best suited to long-term expansion and institutional credibility.

Planning your obtaining process accurately and with assistance of professional guidance are the key factors. It enables the operators to obtain a license in less timeframes and avoid costly mistakes as license returning and refusals from the regulator.

Professional Assistance on the Faster Obtaining a License

MGL experts have a ready answer to getting a license with full-time support and no trouble.

We are fully aware of the type of documents you require, how to prepare them, and how to file them properly. We have a team that goes through every piece of paperwork and submits the same to regulators and the possibility of rejection or audits is minimized.

We will take you through the full licensing procedure, including a brief consultation to the full scale, and legal iGaming enterprise. 

You might choose Anjouan for a quick entry into global iGaming, or Curaçao if you’re looking for institutional prestige. In either case, we will make sure that your operations comply with all the regulations.

Each step is clarified, and it has a roadmap, updates on the progress, and a set cost. Our individual approach assists in saving money and being perfectly legal.

The MGL team will keep your business ahead challenging regulations, including the tougher LOK rules of Curaçao. We update daily to ensure that there are no errors or setbacks to your licensing process. 

Contact our licensing expert to discuss which license suits you best and go worldwide with your legal iGaming project.