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Anjouan Gaming License: Cost, Timeline & How to Get One (2026)
By
SoftVault Team
September 8, 2026
•
7 min read
TL;DR: An Anjouan (Comoros) gaming licence costs roughly €20,000–22,000 per year, is issued in about 6–8 weeks, carries no GGR tax, and covers casino, sportsbook and more under a single licence — including crypto operations. It is the most cost-effective credible route to market for most new operators. Through SoftVault, the full licensing service starts from €19,200 and is usually paired with an offshore company.
What the Anjouan licence is
Anjouan is an autonomous island of the Comoros, and its Betting and Gaming Board issues one of the most practical offshore gaming licences available today. A single Anjouan licence covers multiple verticals — online casino, sportsbook, poker and more — rather than forcing you to license each product separately, which is part of why it has become the default choice for cost-conscious operators launching a new brand.
How much an Anjouan licence costs in 2026
The headline number is roughly €20,000–22,000 per year, with no tax on gross gaming revenue — a meaningful difference from jurisdictions that take a percentage of your GGR on top of fees. You will also need a company to hold the licence; operators typically incorporate in Belize (around €3,500) or Costa Rica (around €4,000). Through our licensing and regulation service the whole package starts from €19,200, and we handle the company setup through our offshore incorporation service so it arrives as one coordinated process rather than three separate ones.
How long it takes
An Anjouan licence is typically issued in about 6–8 weeks — far faster than Malta’s 8–12+ weeks. That timeline runs in parallel with building your platform, but it is worth understanding the sequencing: if you want to be live sooner than the licence allows, you can launch on a white label setup under an existing licence first and migrate to your own Anjouan licence once it is granted.
Which markets it covers — and which it doesn’t
An Anjouan licence lets you serve a wide range of international markets, but it does carry restrictions. Commonly restricted jurisdictions include the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Austria, along with any country on the FATF blacklist. Highly regulated markets like the US and UK require their own local licences and are off-limits under Anjouan. For most operators targeting emerging and international markets, that leaves an enormous addressable audience — but you should confirm your specific target countries before committing.
Why operators choose Anjouan over Curacao or Malta
Curacao is the other popular offshore option, but its setup typically starts around €40,000–50,000 — roughly double Anjouan — while offering a broadly similar level of market access. Malta carries EU status and the strongest reputation, but at €25,000–100,000 a year, a 5% tax and a much longer process, it only makes sense for established operators targeting regulated European markets. For a new brand that wants credibility, crypto compatibility and speed without a six-figure licensing budget, Anjouan is usually the right first licence. We compare all four in detail in why a gaming licence matters.
Anjouan and crypto
One reason Anjouan has grown so fast is that it accommodates cryptocurrency operations, which many older frameworks handle awkwardly. If you are launching a crypto casino, an Anjouan licence pairs naturally with crypto payments and provably fair content, giving you a compliant foundation without forcing you into a fiat-first structure.
How to get one (the practical steps)
In practice, obtaining an Anjouan licence means: incorporating a holding company (Belize or Costa Rica), preparing your compliance documentation (KYC/AML policies, responsible-gaming provisions, owner due diligence), submitting the application to the Gaming Board, and completing review. Most first-time operators lose weeks navigating this alone; our team manages the documentation and the application end to end, so you can focus on your platform and go-to-market. For the full journey from idea to live casino, see our step-by-step guide on how to start an online casino.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Anjouan gaming licence cost?
Roughly €20,000–22,000 per year with no GGR tax, plus a holding company (Belize ~€3,500 or Costa Rica ~€4,000). SoftVault’s full licensing service starts from €19,200.
How long does it take to get an Anjouan licence?
About 6–8 weeks. If you need to launch sooner, start on a white label licence and migrate once yours is granted.
Does an Anjouan licence allow crypto casinos?
Yes — it accommodates cryptocurrency operations, which is one of its main advantages for new operators.
Can I target the US or UK with an Anjouan licence?
No. The US and UK (among others) are restricted and require their own local licences.
Thinking about your licensing route? Book a demo and we will map the right licence to your target markets and have you live in as little as 14 days.
