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As regulatory requirements for online gaming continue to tighten across established jurisdictions around the world, businesses are increasingly seeking accessible, cost-efficient, and startup-friendly gaming license alternatives allowing fast market entry.
Now, more nations appeared to meet this demand, offering attractive legal solutions for both B2C and B2B businesses looking to enter the market without excessive barriers. Among these options, Anjouan and Tobique have gained attention for their affordable gaming license alternatives with relatively fast approval processes and growing international recognition. Both of these nations offer outstanding gaming license alternatives for startups to enter the iGaming market fast and have maximum flexibility as one of their competitive advantages.
The article does not aim to rank or criticize either jurisdiction, as both of them are highly attractive; its purpose is to help projects understand which licensing option aligns best with their business specifics and ensure their license choice yields maximum reward in the long term.
What Are the Defining Factors Startups Look for When Choosing a Gaming License?
When selecting a gaming license, startups must balance several factors. Cost efficiency and speed of approval are often top priorities, given early-stage operators need to minimize initial iGaming license expenses and enter the market without unnecessary delays. Compliance complexity can play a key role here, with startups favoring jurisdictions that provide clear guidelines and requirements lists.
Market access and operational flexibility are equally important when getting a gaming license. An offshore gambling license that allows international operations and supports multiple verticals is essential to avoid getting a lottery license, betting license, and online casino license separately. Scalability is key.
Access to reliable banking and payment processors completes the key factors list. Even the most cost-effective license can fall short when a gambling business cannot open a corporate bank account with a reputable payment solution provider (PSP).
As illustrated in the table below, Anjouan and Tobique satisfy many of these startup needs, albeit they do so in different ways. Understanding how each jurisdiction aligns with these factors can help future gaming business owners choose the right gaming license that will best support their long-term growth ambitions.
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Tobique
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Anjouan
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Scope of activities
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All gaming verticals
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All gaming verticals
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Cost
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EUR 36,000 license fees for the first year, plus technical compliance (only EUR 18,000 license fees for the second year plus technical compliance)
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EUR 22,000-30,000 depending on the components
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Time to obtain
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4 to 10 weeks
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4 to 8 weeks
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Regulation
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Tobique Gaming Commission
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Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority
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Reputation
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Emerging
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Developing
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Taxation
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No additional gaming taxes
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No additional gaming taxes
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Strengths of the Anjouan Gambling License
The Anjouan gaming license has established itself as one of the most commercially attractive options available to startups and growing gaming operations seeking fast, flexible, and cost-efficient entry into the global iGaming market. As the level of competition in other gaming jurisdictions continues to increase and licensing rules continue to tighten, many gaming operations are finding the gaming license in Anjouan particularly attractive.
Below is a comprehensive list of reasons why to get an Anjouan gaming license:
- Affordable Cost Structure. Compared to many European countries and alternative jurisdictions worldwide, the Anjouan gaming license cost – including initial setup fees, renewal costs, and other ongoing expenses – is significantly lower.
- No Tax Rates. Anjouan offers 0% corporate and gaming tax, which is a substantial benefit for operators aiming to optimize expenses during early growth phases.
- Fast Launch. The process of getting an Anjouan online gaming license takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks, assuming all documentation is in order. This rapid turnaround time can allow for capitalizing on hot market opportunities without prolonged regulatory delays.
- Flexible Gaming License Requirements. The quite flexible compliance framework makes it well-suited for operators who do not yet have large, in-house legal teams.
- International Market Access. The Anjouan gaming license offers excellent international coverage and freedom to build the gambling business around the world, subject to local licensing.
- All Gaming Verticals Covered. The jurisdiction is known for offering a gaming license covering all major gaming verticals, including online casino, sports betting, and lottery, among others, enabling companies to diversify their businesses without necessarily applying for multiple permits.
- Crypto-Friendly. The jurisdiction is notably crypto-friendly, supporting operators seeking to integrate digital assets and blockchain-based technologies and payment solutions into their platforms.
- Partners Access. The Anjouan gaming license is gaining acceptance in the international iGaming community considering its growing popularity, being compatible with several payment service providers, fintech platforms, and casino software vendors around the world.
- Growing Popularity. The gaming license in Anjouan is rapidly gaining traction within the iGaming sector, already having issued more than 1,300 licenses to date.
Strengths of the Tobique Gambling License
The Tobique gaming license has emerged as yet another outstanding option for gambling operators seeking a balanced combination of flexibility and cost-efficiency. Although Tobique is still considered to belong to the category of developing jurisdictions, it still has an attractive balance of benefits under a single license, making it well-suited for startups and big projects entering or scaling in the iGaming market.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Tobique gambling license such an attractive option:
- Competitive Costs and Timelines. One of the defining strengths of the Tobique gaming license is its affordable setup costs and fast time to get a license (4 to 10 weeks, on average). Despite being slightly higher than those for the Anjouan gaming license, Tobique offers balanced long-term advantages, different requirements, and regulatory clarity in place.
- No Gaming Tax Rate & No Corporate Tax: Gambling operators benefit from a 0% gaming tax and no corporate tax imposed, allowing for maximum reinvestment in customer acquisition initiatives.
- Basic Compliance: The requirements for getting an iGaming license in Tobique are basic and flexible enough to cater to startups and medium-sized gaming operators who may have fewer compliance professionals to handle such formalities.
- Access to North America and Niche Markets. The Tobique gambling license provides entry into North America and selected niche markets, making it suitable for operators targeting international audiences rather than strictly regulated local markets.
- Coverage for All Gaming Segments. The country’s licensing framework offers broad coverage across all major gaming verticals, offering a single license replacing different categories like online casino license, betting license, and lottery license.
- Crypto-Friendly Climate. Similar to the Anjouan gaming license, Tobique also supports the use of digital assets. Traditional banking and PSP access can be more limited compared to more established jurisdictions; however, many operators are able to successfully mitigate this through alternative payment solutions and already available options.
- Developing Popularity. The gaming license in Tobique is gaining traction among operators and service providers as a forward-looking and strategically sound choice.
Limits of Two Licenses: Not Ideal for Everyone?
Both the Anjouan and Tobique gaming license options, while each offering an attractive range of advantages (some of them being common for both), may not be the best fit for every operator. Both gaming license options are often considered affordable solutions for startups seeking an offshore gaming license, yet neither is universally applicable.
Anjouan Legal and Compliance Considerations
The Anjouan gaming license is not intended for gaming operators seeking to establish a robust, institutional-level reputation or acquire large-scale partners, given it may not carry the same level of trust as more established jurisdictions.
Additionally, Anjouan license holders shall comply with AML/KYC regulations and may face complexities in securing payment providers, as some will hesitate due to concerns about the jurisdiction’s reputation, which is still developing.
Furthermore, operators must assume full responsibility for staying compliant with each target market’s local regulator, including with additional authorizations where required. This is particularly relevant with countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, and FATF blacklist nations.
Tobique Legal and Compliance Considerations
The cost of a Tobique gaming license and the associated licensing fees may be higher depending on the company’s structure, making it slightly less accessible to early-stage startups with minimal investment available.
Like Anjouan, Tobique also mandates strict AML/KYC protocols in place and requires operators to independently assess regional regulations and ensure compliance with their target market, as local authorization may be required.
Final Thoughts: Anjouan vs Tobique – Which is Best for Your Gaming Startup?
In summary, the Anjouan and Tobique gaming licenses are both good and trusted choices for a modern iGaming business start-up. When choosing between the Anjouan and Tobique gaming licenses, the decision shall largely depend on the specific needs of the startup. Selecting one should not be based on the headlines or the trending news, but on its compatibility with the business model being employed.
- Anjouan gaming license is best suited for: Businesses seeking rapid market entry with global reach and flexible licensing. The license is ideal for start-up companies and scalable businesses looking to gain easy access to international markets without being too heavily restricted in operations.
- Tobique gaming license is best suited for: Operators who prioritize strong oversight, innovation, and access to certain regions.
Both licenses cater to different business models and priorities, so it’s crucial to select one that best aligns with the project’s goals.
At Inteliumlaw, we help startups and existing operators to go through the Anjouan and Tobique gaming license application process while reducing unwanted delays and avoiding the common pitfalls. Our support, however, extends well beyond securing a license. At the client’s request, our experts can offer bespoke, ongoing support at every stage of their business lifecycle, helping them remain compliant and support growth.
Contact Inteliumlaw to smoothly navigate the process of obtaining a gaming license in Anjouan or Tobique and enter the market with full legal confidence.
