Why Choose Anjouan? Cost, Speed & Market Access Explained
Starting an iGaming business today is no longer only about choosing the right software or building a strong…
Starting an iGaming business today is no longer only about choosing the right software or building a strong brand. One of the biggest challenges for new and growing operators is finding a licensing solution that is fast, affordable, and legally acceptable in multiple markets.
Many entrepreneurs quickly discover that traditional gambling jurisdictions are:
- Too slow (approval often takes 6–12 months or more)
- Too expensive (application and compliance costs can exceed six figures)
- Overly complex (strict requirements, audits, local presence, and continuous reporting)
That is why more businesses are now actively searching for an anjouan gambling license as an alternative gambling license that provides a faster, more practical path to launch.
As an offshore iGaming license, the Anjouan option has become increasingly popular with startups, crypto casinos, white label platforms, and international operators who need legal flexibility without heavy bureaucracy.
In this guide, we explain what the Anjouan license actually is, why it is gaining momentum, and how it compares to more traditional licensing routes in terms of cost, speed, and complexity.
What Is the Anjouan Gambling License?
To understand why this option is growing so fast, you first need to understand the Anjouan gambling license meaning and how it works.
The Anjouan gambling license is a type of offshore gambling license issued by the Anjouan Autonomous Island, part of the Union of the Comoros. It is regulated under local online gaming legislation and overseen by the relevant licensing authority.
In practical terms, it is a flexible iGaming offshore license that allows businesses to legally operate a range of online gambling activities, including:
- Online casinos
- Sports betting platforms
- Crypto gambling websites
- Multi-vertical iGaming projects
Unlike many traditional jurisdictions, Anjouan does not impose excessive barriers to entry. There is no requirement to open a local office, hire local employees, or maintain expensive infrastructure on-site. This makes it highly attractive for international operators and online-focused businesses.
Over the past few years, the Anjouan license has moved from a “niche option” to a mainstream solution in the iGaming space. More startups, white-label platforms, and crypto-based projects are choosing it as their first licensing step – not only because it is cheap, but because it is efficient, fast, and business-oriented.
Cost Comparison: Anjouan vs Traditional Jurisdictions
One of the biggest reasons companies search for alternative solutions is gambling license cost. Some jurisdictions require huge upfront investments, ongoing reporting expenses, and high renewal fees.
Anjouan, on the other hand, is often recognized as one of the most affordable gambling license options available today. In many cases, it is considered the cheapest gambling license that still provides legal recognition and operational viability.
Here is a simple comparison of how Anjouan stands against more traditional licensing jurisdictions:
| Jurisdiction | Typical Cost | Complexity | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anjouan | ✅ Low | ✅ Simple | ✅ Fast |
| Malta | ❌ High | ❌ Strict | ❌ Slow |
| UK | ❌ Very high | ❌ Very strict | ❌ Very slow |
| Curacao | ✅ Medium | ✅ Moderate | ✅ Medium |
This comparison clearly shows why so many startups and growing operators lean toward Anjouan as a practical and cost-effective alternative. While premium licenses offer strong reputation within specific regulated markets, they often do not make sense for early-stage projects, test launches, or international expansion strategies.
Anjouan provides a powerful combination of low entry cost + minimal complexity + fast access to market, which is critical in today’s competitive environment.
Speed of Approval: Why Anjouan Is One of the Fastest Options
Beyond price, timing plays a crucial role in the success of an iGaming project. Every month of delay is a month of lost revenue, lost users, and lost momentum.
Many entrepreneurs actively search for the fastest gambling license or a quick iGaming license that allows them to launch in weeks – not years.
This is where Anjouan clearly stands out.
While heavily regulated jurisdictions often take between 6 and 12+ months to approve a license, Anjouan offers a fast gambling license approval process that can take as little as one to three months, depending on the readiness of your documentation.
This rapid approval can give businesses a major strategic advantage:
- Faster market entry
- Quicker monetization
- Earlier brand recognition
- Shorter time-to-ROI
- Better positioning against competitors
For startups, speed is not just a convenience – it is a competitive weapon. Being able to launch months ahead of competitors can make a significant difference in traffic, backlinks, partnerships, and market share.
That is why operators who understand the value of time increasingly choose Anjouan when building or scaling their iGaming projects.
Market Access: Where You Can Operate with Anjouan
One of the strongest advantages of the Anjouan gambling license is its flexibility in terms of market access. As an offshore gambling license, it allows operators to structure their business in a way that supports a broad, often global, audience – subject to compliance with relevant local laws in each market.
With an Anjouan license you typically receive:
- Authorization to run multiple verticals under a single permit (casino, sportsbook, crypto-gambling, lotteries, etc.).
- The possibility to host gaming operations remotely – no mandatory local office or infrastructure in many cases.
- A licensing regime that tends to be crypto- and payment-processor–friendly, making it easier to integrate various global payment and banking services.
This flexibility is what gives offshore jurisdictions like Anjouan their edge: they allow operators to test markets, target multiple regions, and pivot quickly – without being locked into the regulatory or infrastructural constraints typical for more rigid, regulated jurisdictions.
Anjouan vs Curacao – Which One Should You Choose?
Many operators evaluating offshore licenses immediately think of more established names like Curacao. Curacao remains a widely used jurisdiction. However, Anjouan often emerges as a compelling – and often superior – alternative. Here’s how they compare:
| Feature / Factor | Anjouan | Curacao (or other mid-tier offshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry & License Cost | Low to moderate - affordable for startups and mid-sized operators | Medium - often higher than Anjouan, especially with added compliance or renewal fees |
| Speed of Issuance | Fast - often a matter of a few weeks to a few months, depending on documentation readiness | Moderate - process can be longer depending on volume of applications and jurisdictional backlog |
| Coverage of Verticals | Comprehensive - supports casino, sportsbook, crypto, lotteries under one license | Also multi-vertical, but may come with more restrictive clauses depending on specific license type |
| Compliance & Bureaucracy | Relatively low - simpler structure, fewer mandatory audits for many project types | Moderate - fluctuating regulatory pressure; may require more documentation and ongoing maintenance |
| Suitability for Startups / Crypto Projects | High - very tailored to lean, flexible, international-oriented businesses | Moderate - better for operators with stable funding and longer-term plans |
Why many choose Anjouan over Curacao: For startups, crypto-driven platforms, or operators seeking speed and flexibility, Anjouan tends to offer a better balance of cost, simplicity, and coverage. For more established operators targeting long-term stability, Curacao still remains valid - but the trade-offs are often higher costs and slower setup.
Who Is the Anjouan Gambling License Best For?
The Anjouan license isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution – but its characteristics make it uniquely suitable for certain types of operators and business strategies:
- Startups and new entrants – when budget is limited but speed is critical, Anjouan provides a low-cost, fast entry path.
- Crypto-first and blockchain-based projects – given its offshore and flexible nature, it’s easier to integrate crypto payments and maintain anonymity or decentralized payment flows.
- White-label platforms & MVP launches – ideal for testing business models, launching minimal viable products, or scaling in multiple jurisdictions without committing heavy resources upfront.
- International operators targeting diverse markets – thanks to broad coverage and flexible requirements, a single Anjouan license can support multiple verticals and geographies (with compliance checks).
- Operators who prefer minimal bureaucracy and lean structure – avoiding heavy audits, local infrastructure requirements, and burdensome renewals.
For these types of operators, Anjouan often becomes the most strategic, cost-effective, and flexible choice for launching or scaling an iGaming business.
Why SBSB Fintech Lawyers Is a Smart Partner for Getting the Anjouan License
Navigating the complexities of licensing – even in a relatively flexible regime like Anjouan – still requires expertise, precision, and careful compliance. That is why working with a specialized provider can make the difference between a fast, smooth launch and a drawn-out, risky process.
SBSB Fintech Lawyers – a firm with over 10 years’ experience in gambling, crypto, fintech and online gaming licensing.
What SBSB offers:
- Comprehensive legal support “turnkey”: from business-entity registration and jurisdiction selection to license application, documentation, and post-license compliance.
- Tailored solutions based on your business model: whether you run an online casino, sportsbook, crypto-casino, or multi-vertical gaming platform – they assess your strategy and recommend the optimal license setup.
- Smooth handling of regulatory and compliance paperwork, including AML/KYC policies, corporate structure, compliance documentation, beneficial-owner declarations, and more – reducing your risk and accelerating approval.
- Post-licensing support – they don’t just help get the license; they remain available for ongoing legal support, compliance advice, and regulatory updates, which can be critical if you scale or expand.
By partnering with a firm like SBSB Fintech Lawyers, you get professional guidance, avoid common mistakes, and significantly increase the chances of fast, compliant, and successful licensing – while freeing up time to focus on building your product and growing your business.
Typical Timeline for Obtaining an Anjouan Gambling License (With SBSB)
| Stage | Timeframe | SBSB Fintech Lawyers Action |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation & strategy | Day 1–3 | Business model analysis, jurisdiction matching, licensing roadmap |
| Company structure & documents | Week 1–2 | Entity setup, KYC/AML package, document collection & compliance framework |
| License application submission | Week 2–4 | Full submission to authority, liaison with regulator, technical alignment |
| Regulatory review & approval | 1–2 months | Ongoing communication, responses to queries, approval optimization |
| License issuance & launch support | Month 2–3 | License delivery, post-licensing compliance setup, operational guidance |
Pros & Cons of the Anjouan License (with SBSB Support)
✅ Pros
- Low entry cost and affordable license fees
- Fast approval – minimal delay before launch
- Wide coverage (casino, sportsbook, crypto, etc.) under one license
- Offshore flexibility – minimal infrastructure and local-office requirements
- Good match for startups, crypto projects, and scalable iGaming operations
- Expert support by a dedicated licensing consultancy (like SBSB) – reduces risk, saves time
⚠️ Cons / Trade-offs to consider
- Offshore status – may raise caution among some payment providers or players used to “regulated” jurisdictions
- Annual renewals and compliance still required (though simpler than in many jurisdictions)
- You may need to check local regulations in target markets – some countries restrict offshore-licensed operators
- Perception among some stakeholders may be less strong than EU-licensed platforms (depending on audience and market)
With the right legal partner (such as SBSB Fintech Lawyers), many of these trade-offs can be managed or mitigated through careful compliance, documentation, and strategic set-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Anjouan for an offshore gambling license?
Many operators choose Anjouan because it combines low licensing costs, fast approval times, simple compliance requirements, and flexible support for multiple iGaming verticals under one license.
How fast can you get an Anjouan gambling license?
In most cases, an Anjouan gambling license can be issued within 1 to 3 months, depending on document readiness and application accuracy.
Is the Anjouan license suitable for crypto gambling platforms?
Yes, the Anjouan license is widely used by crypto casinos and blockchain-based gaming platforms due to its flexible structure and support for cryptocurrency payments.
Can Anjouan be used as a long-term licensing solution?
Yes. Many operators use Anjouan both as a fast-launch option and as a long-term solution, with annual renewals and ongoing compliance support available.
Who can help with obtaining an Anjouan gambling license?
SBSB Fintech Lawyers provide full legal support for the Anjouan licensing process, including documentation, compliance setup, application handling, and post-licensing guidance.
