Menu
As startups navigate an ever-evolving range of gambling license options, many of them effectively end up choosing between Anjouan, Tobique, and Curaçao, a trio Elena Sadovskaya, a legal & business professional at Inteliumlaw, has described as the “Bermuda Triangle” of gambling licenses. Until recently, in a market largely dominated by the selected famous names, few would have expected little-known Vanuatu to emerge as one of the most competitive choices internationally.
Having introduced its Interactive Gaming Act as early as May 31, 2000, Vanuatu is among the earliest jurisdictions to formally regulate online gambling. More than 25 years later, decades of track record regulating the sector have helped the country gain international recognition, even without becoming one of the industry’s dominant licensing hubs.
Spending years overshadowed by more established gambling hubs, Vanuatu was only able to start attracting more attention back in 2024, when a major regulatory overhaul replaced an outdated and time-consuming licensing process with a modern, fully digital framework better designed for the needs of modern gaming startups. This was the major catalyst for breathing new life into Vanuatu’s gambling ecosystem, giving startups a compelling new jurisdiction to consider.
Today, this small South Pacific island nation has become an increasingly notable option for gambling startups, combining favorable taxation with an efficient licensing process, a license term of up to 15 years, and a relatively stable regulatory environment.
What is driving growing operator interest in Vanuatu is a B2C licensing model that offers a robust regulatory framework without the exceptionally high costs and entry barriers of many established jurisdictions.
Namely, key benefits of getting a gaming license in Vanuatu include:
| | Tobique | Vanuatu | Curaçao | Malta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of activities | All gaming verticals | Broad interactive gaming coverage, including casino, sportsbook, poker, bingo, lottery-style, crash, and similar online products, subject to approval of games and systems | Online casinos, sports betting, lottery, bingo, and eSports | Separate license for each type of gaming activity |
| Cost | EUR 36,000 license fees for the 1st year + technical compliance (only EUR 18,000 license fees for the 2nd year + technical compliance) | EUR 5,000 non-refundable application fee + EUR 10,000 annual license fee, plus incorporation, legal, compliance, technical, and operational costs | around EUR 55,000 in license fees only | around EUR 150,000–200,000, including maintenance |
| Time to obtain | 4 to 10 weeks | Around 1–3 months | 4 to 6 months | average: 6 months; realistic: up to 12 months |
| Regulation | Tobique Gaming Commission | Vanuatu Gaming Authority | Curaçao Gaming Control Board | Malta Gaming Authority |
| Reputation | Emerging | Established offshore jurisdiction; attractive for cost-efficient international projects | Established | The highest |
| Taxation | No additional gaming taxes | Tax-efficient model | Depends on expense structure, achievable around 2% or lower | Achievable 5% |
The Vanuatu gambling license provides long-term authorization for 15 years and enables the licensee to operate one URL, subject to maintaining compliance with the applicable licensing framework. Following the 2024 regulatory overhaul, Vanuatu now offers one of the most cost-efficient licensing jurisdictions available, even relative to Anjouan, Tobique, or Curaçao, making it particularly attractive to startups and growing gambling businesses.
The total cost of securing a gambling license in Vanuatu may vary from one project to another, depending on the chosen corporate structure, business model, and the planned scale of the project. In most cases, however, the overall price consists of several key components:
As with any other gaming license, the total cost extends well beyond the fees payable to the regulator. Nevertheless, the cost of obtaining a Vanuatu gambling license remains considerably lower than in many competing jurisdictions.
Securing a gambling license in Vanuatu is generally considered one of the most accessible routes to the global iGaming market. Yet, obtaining one still requires careful preparation and strict regulatory compliance.
Obtaining a Vanuatu gambling license requires applicants to meet several regulatory and operational requirements, including:
Applicants must provide a comprehensive set of corporate and personal documents, including information relating to their directors, shareholders, and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs). The official application checklist made by the regulator outlines 6 key points necessary for the application:
According to the country’s requirements, Vanuatu gambling license applicants must register a local legal entity and maintain a registered office or licensed local agent in Vanuatu. At least one director is required, while corporate directors are generally permitted. Notably, local directors, mandatory board meetings, and public registers of shareholders are typically neither required nor maintained.
The country’s gambling regulator assesses whether the business has sufficient financial resources to operate responsibly and successfully meet its obligations over the long term.
Directors and beneficial owners undergo due diligence to verify their integrity, reputation, and suitability to operate within the regulated gaming industry.
Applicants shall prove they have the necessary technical infrastructure, internal procedures, and responsible gambling policies necessary to protect players and operate a secure gaming platform.
Under the AML/CTF Act No. 13 of 2014, a company licensed under the Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Act is expressly treated as a “reporting entity” and shall comply with the relevant requirements. Regulators expect these entities to have comprehensive AML/CFT policies, customer due diligence procedures, transaction monitoring systems, and ongoing risk management.
Applicants must provide a comprehensive set of corporate and personal documents, including information relating to their directors, shareholders, and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs). The official application checklist made by the regulator outlines 6 key points necessary for the application:
According to the country’s requirements, Vanuatu gambling license applicants must register a local legal entity and maintain a registered office or licensed local agent in Vanuatu. At least one director is required, while corporate directors are generally permitted. Notably, local directors, mandatory board meetings, and public registers of shareholders are typically neither required nor maintained.
The country’s gambling regulator assesses whether the business has sufficient financial resources to operate responsibly and successfully meet its obligations over the long term.
Directors and beneficial owners undergo due diligence to verify their integrity, reputation, and suitability to operate within the regulated gaming industry.
Applicants shall prove they have the necessary technical infrastructure, internal procedures, and responsible gambling policies necessary to protect players and operate a secure gaming platform.
Under the AML/CTF Act No. 13 of 2014, a company licensed under the Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Act is expressly treated as a “reporting entity” and shall comply with the relevant requirements. Regulators expect these entities to have comprehensive AML/CFT policies, customer due diligence procedures, transaction monitoring systems, and ongoing risk management.
Applicants can generally expect the Vanuatu gaming license process to take 1 to 3 months, subject to the complexity of the application plus the time it takes to prepare all necessary documents and obtain additional authorizations (VASP license for crypto activities).
Note: Businesses seeking a Vanuatu gambling license can rely on Inteliumlaw to streamline the preparation of application materials and ensure that any follow-up requests from the regulator are addressed without unnecessary delay.
In most instances, the process is carried out in several stages:
The applicant incorporates a Vanuatu company and, where required due to foreign ownership, completes registration with the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA). During the process, Inteliumlaw helps navigate preliminary requirements and prepare the documentation necessary for the company to move forward with the Vanuatu gambling license application.
The application package typically comprises UBO and director KYC records, source of funds evidence, business and financial plans, AML/CTF and responsible gaming policies, technical system documentation, cybersecurity measures, and disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
Once the application package has been compiled in accordance with the relevant official checklist, it is submitted to the Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA) for review. Under Section 5 of the Interactive Gaming Act, the regulator is expected to grant or refuse the application within a two-month period following receipt of the application.
Within 14 days of the application being submitted, the Vanuatu Gaming Authority may request additional information on matters such as ownership, funding, markets, controls, or technical infrastructure, allowing the applicant no less than 14 days to provide it. The regulator will next assess whether the applicant is suitable to hold the Vanuatu gambling license, having the financial, technical, and operational resources necessary to conduct licensed interactive gaming activities.
Once the regulator confirms full compliance with the applicable licensing standards, the applicant receives a Vanuatu gaming license, providing a legal basis for international operations subject to local market restrictions.
Upon approval, the licensee can establish the banking, technology, and other key partnerships. However, ongoing post-licensing obligations remain in force under Sections 18–23 and 25–28, covering game approvals, record-keeping, reporting, and audit requirements.
After years in the shadow of more established licensing hubs, Vanuatu is now building greater market recognition and becoming an increasingly popular and affordable choice for startups and growing early-stage businesses. Still, even where the licensing process has been streamlined in line with industry standards, navigating it can remain challenging for entrepreneurs with no prior experience in gambling regulation.
At Inteliumlaw, our specialists support operators throughout the Vanuatu gambling licensing process, simplifying complex regulatory requirements, minimizing delays, and reducing the risk of costly mistakes. Our advisory experts provide end-to-end support, covering local company formation, preparation of licensing and compliance documentation, communication with the regulator, banking and technology partnerships facilitation, VASP licensing for relevant crypto activities, and ongoing legal support after the Vanuatu gaming license is secured.
Choose Inteliumlaw for tailored assistance with obtaining a Vanuatu gaming license and establishing a solid regulatory foundation for confident expansion across the global iGaming market.
Through years of supporting businesses’ sustainable growth, Inteliumlaw has built a robust network of partners ranging from software developers and gaming technology providers to operators and white-label businesses – all designed to offer our clients immediate access to industry-leading solutions.
Legal & Business Professional at Inteliumlaw
Languages: English/Ukrainian
The Vanuatu gaming license covers a broad range of interactive gaming activities, including online casino, sportsbook, poker, bingo, lottery-style games, and skill-based or hybrid games. However, a dedicated B2B licensing regime is not currently available in Vanuatu.
Vanuatu is a low-tax jurisdiction with no corporate income tax, personal income tax, VAT, or capital gains tax. Under the Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Act, gambling operators are only required to pay a low GGR-based tax of 1%.
The cost structure typically includes a non-refundable application fee of around EUR 5,000 and an annual license fee of approximately EUR 10,000, plus company incorporation and professional fees. Additional costs arise from legal structuring, AML/KYC implementation, software, payment systems, and ongoing operational expenses.
Applicants must prepare an extensive documentation package covering the corporate structure, KYC and source-of-wealth information for UBOs and directors, the business model and financial forecasts, AML/CTF and responsible gaming procedures, and the underlying technical setup. The regulator also requires proof of financial stability, operational readiness, and cybersecurity measures.
The process can typically be completed within 1–3 months, depending on the project’s scope, complexity, and other relevant factors. Following submission, the Regulator is legally required to issue its decision within two months after receiving a complete application and all additionally requested information.
Yes, gambling is legal in Vanuatu when conducted under a valid license issued under the Interactive Gaming Act. Conducting interactive gaming without a license is a criminal offense and may result in significant fines or imprisonment.
While the process is relatively streamlined, the main challenge lies in preparing a compliant and credible application file. Regulators expect applicants to demonstrate transparent ownership, legitimate sources of funds, effective AML/CTF systems, and operational capability, leaving little room for poorly prepared submissions.
Yes, the license can support crypto-based gaming models, but only within a compliant structure. Yet, gaming operators that additionally provide virtual asset services, such as custody, exchange, or transfers, may be required to obtain a separate VASP license in Vanuatu.
Inteliumlaw provides end-to-end legal support, managing everything from corporate structuring and application preparation to regulator communication and post-licensing compliance, with particular attention to ensuring that the final structure is acceptable not only to the regulator but also to banks, payment providers, investors, and other business partners.
The accumulated experience and tracking of future changes in this area allow us to be proactive
for our clients and develop the most adapted business structures to modern conditions.
By submitting this form, you hereby authorize Inteliumlaw to process your information for the purpose of addressing your inquiry. You retain the right to revoke this consent at any point. For further details, please review our Privacy Policy.
