You need an
online gaming license to operate legally and give customers peace of mind. However, with so many options out there, it can be hard to know what the best gambling license is. Our experts have rounded up and broken down the top gaming licenses in terms of cost, reputation, and market access so you can find the right one for your needs.
Choosing the Right Gaming License
Here are the five things you need to consider as you’re reading through our list of gambling regulators:
- The markets a license gives you access to.
- The reputation of the regulator, particularly with regard to player protection.
- The costs, annual fees, and tax benefits.
- The time it takes for applications to be approved.
- The banking and financial regulations.
Top-Tier Gaming Licenses (Highly Regulated, Strong Reputation)
We’ve ranked the best gambling license providers in the world based on their reputation and regulatory stringency. The organisations listed below are considered to be tier-one gambling regulators.
Malta Gaming License
- Application Cost: €5,000
- Annual Costs: €25,000 (€10,000 for operators only offering eSports)
- Other Costs: fees ranging from €15,000 to €500,000 depending on license type and revenue
- Tax Rate: achievable 5%
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of the most widely known and used regulators. The MGA currently licenses over 320 companies from its pro-gambling base of Malta. MGA license holders have the freedom to offer services across the European Union, which makes it an attractive organisation to work with. Most suitable for: Large operators that want to target European markets with the help of a respected brand. Learn more about a
Malta gaming license here.
Isle of Man Gaming License
- Application Cost: £5,250
- Annual Costs: £36,750
- Other Costs: £5,250 to £52,000 for sub-licenses
- Tax Rate: 0% corporate tax and 0.1% to 1.5% (based on GGY) – gaming duty
Like the MGA, the Isle of Man Gaming Commission is a long-serving and well-respected licensing organisation. The comprehensive nature of the Commission’s regulations creates a high level of compliance, which is ideal for operators wanting access to Europe’s largest gambling markets. Most Suitable For: Operators wanting a respected regulator with a clear operational structure and low tax rates. Learn more about an
Isle of Man gambling license here.
Gibraltar Gaming License
- Application Cost: £100,000
- Annual Costs: £100,000 (£85,000 for support service providers)
- Other Costs: N/A
- Tax Rate: gaming duty 0.15%
Gibraltar has been an online gambling hub for more than two decades. The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority has a long-established set of regulations that have helped set the standard around the world. This makes it one of the top gaming licenses to have if you want access to European markets, as well as the UK. Most Suitable For: Established brands that want trend-setting regulations and low tax rates. Learn more about a
Gibraltar gambling license here.
Alderney Gaming License
- Application Cost: £17,500 or £35,000 depending on license type
- Annual Costs: £35,000 to £400,000 based on license and net gaming yield
- Other Costs: N/A
- Tax Rate: 0
Alderney provides one of the top gaming licenses for companies that want world-class financial regulations. As well as a strong focus on banking practices and fund segregation, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission has some of the most comprehensive responsible gambling regulations in the world. Most Suitable For: High-end casino brands and sportsbooks that want access to international markets and a zero-percent tax rate. Learn more about an
Alderney gambling license here.
Romania Gaming License
- Application Cost: €10,500 to €15,600
- Annual Costs: €20,000 to €300,000
- Other Costs: €15,000 (annual responsible gambling contribution)
- Tax Rate: 21%
Operators wanting access to Romania and other emerging Eastern European gambling markets should consider the ONJN. Although the annual fees and 21% tax are high, the ONJN’s regulatory framework is one of the strictest in Europe. This makes it one of the top online gambling licenses for larger companies that want to explore untapped markets. Most Suitable For: Well-financed and experienced operators that want to have a respected license in Eastern Europe. Learn more about a
Romania gambling license here.
Mid-Tier Gaming Licenses (Balanced Cost & Regulation)
Small and mid-sized gambling companies that can’t afford a top-tier license but still want similar levels of regulatory respect can opt for these mid-tier licenses:
Kahnawake Gaming License (Canada)
- Application Cost: $40,000
- Annual Costs: $20,000
- Other Costs: $1,000 annual key person fee
- Tax Rate: 0
Kahnawake Gaming Commission is one of the oldest regulatory authorities in North America. Many operators targeting North American markets are attracted to Kahnawake because of its low fees and zero-percent tax rate. However, people often overlook the “fit and suitable person tests” checks, which further enhance the reputation of this regulator. Most Suitable For: Small to mid-sized operators that have an acute focus on anti-money laundering (AML) and customer protection. Learn more about applying for a
gambling license in Kahnawake.
Philippines Gaming License (PAGCOR)
- Application Cost: $40,000
- Annual Costs: $150,000 to $200,000
- Other Costs: $3,000+ (operational and set-up fees)
- Tax Rate: 25% (on profit)
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) was set up in 1977, which makes it one of the oldest gambling regulators in the world. A two-tier system allows operators to offer regulated services to players in the Philippines and other countries around the world. Most Suitable For: Operators wanting to follow strict regulations that give them the ability to access Asian and international markets. Learn more about a
Philippines gambling license here.
Estonia Gaming License
- Application Cost: €3,200 to €47,940 depending on license type
- Annual Costs: N/A
- Other Costs: N/A
- Tax Rate: 6% (18% on lotteries)
Estonia is one of the best gambling license alternatives to Malta. The main reason small and mid-sized companies are applying for an Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) license is low operating costs but EU-compliant regulations. Most Suitable For: EU-focused startups looking for a cost-effective license that complies with EU law and takes just a few weeks to set up. Learn more about an
Estonia gaming license here.
Curacao Gaming License
- Application Cost: €4,592
- Annual Costs: €22,960 (supervisory fees) plus €24,490 (fees to the National Treasury)
- Other Costs: N/A
- Tax Rate: achievable close to 0%
Curacao is the most popular gambling authority for companies operating in what industry experts call the “offshore” market. After recent changes the initial and ongoing costs are slightly higher than some authorities, the application process is not so quick as it was. Most Suitable For the momemnt: Mid size operators. Learn more about a
Curacao gaming license here
Budget & Offshore Licenses (Easy to Obtain, Less Regulation)
Here are some of the most cost-effective gambling licenses with low barriers to entry.
Anjouan Gaming License (Comoros) & Moheli Gaming License (Comoros)
- Application Cost: €18,000
- Annual Costs: €18,000
- Other Costs: key person authorization, compliance costs
- Tax Rate: 0
Like Curacao in the past, Anjouan has a fast turnaround time for applications (usually six weeks) and low fees. Anjouan doesn’t charge tax. This is one of the reasons it’s quickly gaining traction with smaller offshore gambling operators that want crypto-friendly regulations. Most Suitable For: After recent changes in Curacao it seems to be becoming a popular alternative to this license. Operators with smaller budgets that want an alternative to Curacao, as well as access to international markets through a dual B2B and B2C license. Learn about an
Anjouan gaming license here.
Tobique Gaming License (Canada)
- Application Cost: €2,500 preliminary review + €33,500 after approval
- Annual Costs: €18,000
- Other Costs: Variable annual compliance fees
- Tax Rate: 0
This could be one of the solutions for online casino license for startups. The reason it’s a startup-friendly license is the fact that the Tobique Gaming Commission has only been active since 2023. Because of this, it’s likely to be more in tune with new developments in the gambling industry, such as cryptocurrency payments. Most Suitable For: Operators that want fixed annual costs, zero tax, and access to dozens of territories around the world, including emerging markets. Learn more about a
Tobique gaming license here.
Costa Rica Gaming License
- Application Cost: depends on the arrangement
- Annual Costs: depends on the arrangement
- Other Costs: N/A
- Tax Rate: 0 (on revenue generated offshore)
Costa Rica doesn’t have specific gambling regulation, but it’s been a go-to authority for operators since the early noughties. An operator can register as a business. Additional documents confirming legal right to conduct gambling activity could be obtained. Most Suitable For: Crypto casinos that don’t offer traditional banking services. Learn more about a
Costa Rica gambling license here.
Nigeria Gaming License
- Application Cost: $700
- Annual Costs: $133,000
- Other Costs: N/A
- Tax Rate: 5% for resident transactions/15% for offshore transactions
Nigeria is where you’ll get the best gambling license in Africa, a region that currently generates more than $17 billion in annual gambling revenue. Companies that receive a National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) license can offer their services internationally, as well as in Nigeria. Most Suitable For: Operators who want to serve players in Africa. Learn more about obtaining a
betting license in Nigeria.
Find Your Gambling Market Today
The gambling license you need depends on a variety of factors, including cost, market access, and focus. Top-tier organisations are suitable for almost all gambling companies. However, if you have specific requirements, such as regulations that allow crypto payments, it might be worth using a second or third-tier authority.
Contact us today so we can help you find the best online casino license for your needs.
