Anjouan Gambling License

Market Acceptance & Restrictions

Accepted markets. The license is commonly used to access emerging or lightly regulated markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is generally accepted by major game suppliers and many payment processors serving those regions.

Restricted markets. Licensees must implement effective GEO-blocking and decline traffic from prohibited jurisdictions. As a rule, services must be refused to residents of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Austria, Comoros, and any FATF blacklisted country. Operators must also exclude any country that requires a domestic license the operator does not hold. Maintain a written market access matrix and evidence of IP-based and payment-based blocking.

Requirements for Obtaining an Anjouan Gaming License

Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining an Anjouan Gaming License

Applicants and license holders must satisfy eligibility, corporate, technical, and compliance standards under the Computer Gaming Licensing Act 2005 and associated AML/CFT legislation. The requirements below cover both pre-licensing conditions and ongoing obligations for renewal and supervision.

Pre-Licensing Requirements (Eligibility & Technical)

Eligibility of Key Individuals

• All individuals involved (directors, shareholders, UBOs) must be at least 18 years old.
• No criminal record for fraud, financial crimes, or dishonesty offences.
• Not listed on international sanctions lists; no adverse media that raises integrity concerns.
• Proven good business reputation and verifiable, lawful source of funds.

Corporate Structure Requirements

• The license may be held by a locally incorporated entity or, subject to regulator approval, a foreign incorporated company represented by an authorized local agent.
• Registered legal address in Anjouan is required; no staffed local office or resident directors are mandated.

Technical & Infrastructure Requirements

• Server location & data residency: Maintain primary gaming servers in Anjouan or operate a real-time mirrored environment storing player account and transactional data, ensuring auditability and jurisdictional control.
• RNG & software certification: Proprietary RNGs/game engines must be certified by an accredited testing laboratory; third-party content must be licensed and certified.
• Licensed domains: Two domains are endorsed by default; additional domains/brands may be added for an incremental regulatory fee per domain.
• Security baseline: TLS/SSL encryption, hashed/salted credentials, DDoS mitigation, WAF, network segmentation, secure key management, backups and tested recovery procedures.

Documentation Checklist

• Identity & personal KYC (each director, shareholder, key person): certified passport copy, recent proof of address, detailed CV, police clearance.
• References: bank reference letter confirming a satisfactory relationship of 2+ years; professional reference (lawyer or accountant) with a 2+ year relationship.
• Corporate documents: certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents, registers of directors/shareholders; for foreign entities, a Certificate of Good Standing.
• Business plan: products, target markets, compliance posture, risk controls, marketing channels, and 3-year financial projections.
• Technical dossier: system architecture, hosting layout (incl. Anjouan servers/mirror), RNG certificates, integrations, supplier agreements.
• Compliance framework: AML/CFT policy, risk-based KYC program, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, responsible gaming policy, Terms & Conditions, privacy policy, complaints/dispute procedures.
• Website/domain evidence: proof of domain ownership/control; age-gating and responsible gaming disclosures.
• Security controls: SSL/TLS implementation details, encryption standards, DDoS/WAF measures, access management and logging.

Ongoing Compliance Requirements (Post-Licensing)

Licensees must comply with continuing obligations to maintain and renew their authorization with the Anjouan Betting and Gaming Board (ABGB) under the 2005 Act and AOFA oversight.

• Regular regulatory reporting: Submit periodic and annual reports to ABGB as required by law and license conditions.
• Protection of vulnerable groups: Prevent underage gambling; implement responsible gaming tools and interventions for at-risk players.
• AML/CFT operations: Customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, record-keeping of financial transactions and betting history, timely suspicious activity reporting, and sanctions screening.
• Appoint and maintain an AML/CFT Officer: A qualified officer responsible for implementation and reporting to ABGB/AOFA.
• Internal procedures: Maintain documented processes for RG, disputes, and fair gaming; keep them updated as risks evolve.
• Attendance at ABGB meetings: Be available to participate in regulatory meetings or hearings when requested.
• Third-party audits/inspections: Consent to audits of gaming systems, data extracts, control testing, and on-site/remote inspections.
• Ethical advertising: Adhere to standards prohibiting targeting of minors and discouraging irresponsible play.
• Vendor oversight: Use reliable, vetted software/hardware vendors; maintain supplier due-diligence files and contracts.
• Compliance with international laws: Monitor and comply with changes in the laws of markets served; cease access where local licensing is required but not held.
• Change notifications: Notify ABGB of changes in beneficial ownership within 7 days and of significant incidents within 48 hours that may affect fitness to hold a license.
• Other licenses status: Inform ABGB of any suspension or revocation of licenses held in other jurisdictions.
• Prohibition of cash transactions: Player deposits/withdrawals must be via traceable electronic methods; maintain controls against cash equivalents.
• Financial ratios/solvency: Maintain levels set by ABGB and report them as required; keep adequate liquidity for player payouts.
• Segregation of player funds: Operate dedicated, segregated accounts for player balances and reconcile daily.
• GEO-blocking & market restrictions: Enforce IP/payment-based blocking for prohibited countries (e.g., USA, UK, FR, DE, NL, ES, AU, AT, Comoros, FATF-blacklisted), and any market requiring a domestic license not held.
• Security posture: Continuous patching, access control, incident response, encryption in transit/at rest, DDoS mitigation, log review and retention per statutory minimums.
• Record retention: Retain KYC, transactional, and gaming records for at least the statutory minimum period and produce on request.
• Training & internal audits: Periodic AML/RG training for staff and scheduled internal compliance audits with remedial actions tracked to closure.
• Timely payment of fees: Pay all recurring regulatory and renewal fees on time to keep the license in good standing.

Process of Applying for a Gambling License in Anjouan

The workflow is standardized and may be completed fully online via the ALSI portal. Below are the expanded stages and practical timings.

Payment structure on submission. Market-standard first-year package totals around EUR 17,828 including government license and baseline due diligence and compliance processing. Some providers distinguish regulatory and licensing fees of ~EUR 14,128 plus due diligence and compliance of ~EUR 3,700. Additional persons, extra domains and optional nominee services are billed separately.

Cost of the Anjouan Gambling License

Costs are jurisdiction-set and periodically updated. The following reflects a typical first-year and ongoing structure:

• Government license fee – included within the representative EUR 17,828 first-year package noted above.
• Due diligence per person – incremental vetting fees may apply for additional directors, shareholders or key persons.
• Compliance officer / key person – annual authorization and maintenance often included in an approx. EUR 15,000 renewal envelope.
• Company formation & registered office – if forming a new Anjouan entity, expect one-time incorporation and first-year registered address and agent fees.
• Additional domains – endorsement fee per extra domain beyond the two included by default.
• Optional nominee services – nominee director or shareholder services available and invoiced separately.

Taxation. For IBCs, offshore income is ordinarily not subject to corporate income tax in Anjouan and there is no GGR tax on offshore income. Operators remain responsible for tax obligations arising in players’ jurisdictions and for general commercial taxes applicable to their non-Anjouan operations.

Ongoing Obligations

Securing the license is the beginning of a continuing compliance relationship. Core obligations include:

• Annual renewal – timely payment of the annual fee and confirmation of continued compliance. Material changes to ownership, directors, domains or technical stack may require prior consent or notification.
• Reporting – accurate ledgers of wagers, deposits, withdrawals and player balances. Provide annual reports and any periodic returns required by ABGB/AOFA.
• Audits & inspections – the authorities may conduct audits or request test access, data extracts and control evidence. Maintain the Anjouan server or mirror for on-demand inspection.
• AML/KYC operations – ongoing identity verification, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting and staff training. Maintain risk assessments and update controls as risk evolves.
• Responsible gaming – age verification, self-exclusion, deposit and loss limits where appropriate, prominent RG disclosures and fair dispute handling.
• Security posture – patch and vulnerability management, access controls and least privilege, incident response, encryption in transit and at rest, DDoS mitigation, regular log review and data retention.

Enforcement & sanctions. Non-compliance may result in administrative fines, suspension or revocation of the license, mandated remediation, or publication of enforcement actions. High-risk violations include failure to block restricted markets, AML control failures, misrepresentation during application and mishandling of player funds.

How to Start a Gambling Company in Anjouan

1. Define your operating model – select B2C, B2B or hybrid scope, product set and target geographies. Prepare a market access matrix and exclude restricted jurisdictions.
2. Engage specialist counsel – instruct advisors experienced with ABGB/AOFA practice to structure the application, draft policies and align infrastructure to technical conditions.
3. Establish company and local presence – incorporate or designate the licensee entity, appoint the local representative and nominate the compliance officer.
4. Build compliant infrastructure – deploy primary or mirrored servers in Anjouan, integrate certified content, implement KYC/AML and RG systems and security controls.
5. File and obtain the license – submit via ALSI, respond promptly to queries, obtain endorsement for all domains and commence operations upon certificate issuance.
6. Operate with controls from day one – enable GEO-blocking, monitoring and reporting, and schedule periodic internal compliance reviews.

Types of Licenses for Gambling in Anjouan

Unlike regimes that require separate product licenses, Anjouan offers a single, comprehensive license covering the main iGaming verticals for B2C operations and authorizing B2B supply functions, subject to technical certification and compliance. Operators can lawfully provide:

• Complete casino suite
• Sportsbook
• Live dealer games
• Poker rooms
• Lotteries and soft games
• Skill and fantasy games
• B2B platform and game supply services

Overview of Anjouan Gambling License – Context and History

Anjouan is part of the Union of the Comoros and is developing as an international financial and licensing hub. The regulation of remote gaming is grounded in laws adopted in 2005 and administered through the ABGB under AOFA oversight, with ALSI acting as the official license administrator. The regime is business-oriented and aims to ensure fair play, responsible gaming and effective AML controls.

Gambling Legislation in Anjouan

1. Computer Gaming Licensing Act 007 of 2005 – the cornerstone of the regime. It establishes licensing powers, defines activities requiring authorization, outlines application procedures and sets licensee obligations. The Act codifies the single-license model.
2. Money Laundering (Prevention) Act 008 of 2005 – aligns Anjouan with global AML standards. It mandates AML/CFT frameworks for licensees and underpins AOFA’s financial supervision.

Renewal of the Anjouan Gaming License

The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal is streamlined where no material changes occurred, requiring payment of the annual fee and confirmation of compliance. Where changes are material, prior approval or notification may be required.

Conclusion – Positioning and Use Cases

• Startups – ideal for rapid entry at moderate cost, with one license covering all verticals and pragmatic control requirements.
• Experienced operators – suited for expanding brand portfolios into gray or emerging markets using additional endorsed domains and predictable yearly maintenance.
• Crypto-gaming projects – compatible with crypto-forward models if supported by robust AML/KYC and sanctions screening and careful market selection.

Choose Anjouan when targeting international markets that do not mandate domestic licensing and when speed-to-market and cost discipline are strategic priorities. For strictly regulated jurisdictions, obtain the requisite domestic license in addition to Anjouan authorization.

Official Sources & Primary Legislation (ABGB / AOFA / ALSI)

Primary Acts

• Computer Gaming Licensing Act 007 of 2005 (full text, PDF)
• Money Laundering (Prevention) Act 008 of 2005 (full text, PDF)

ALSI – Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (Official License Administrator)

• Official ALSI website
• Anjouan Laws overview
• License Register
• Player Support
• File a Complaint
• Submit Dispute
• Dispute Terms & Conditions

AOFA – Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority

• AOFA registry
• About AOFA
• Acts & Documents

ABGB / Gaming Control (Regulatory Touchpoints)

• Gaming Control Anjouan
• Gaming Disputes
• Register of Gaming Licenses