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With the rapid growth of the online gambling industry, more and more entrepreneurs are considering starting their activities in the iGaming sector by obtaining a gaming license. Having such a license not only increases the trust of players and payment systems but also allows you to operate within the legal framework, minimizing legal risks.
Choosing the right jurisdiction for obtaining a license is a key step that determines not only the startup costs but also the future stability of the project. Among the many options, three stand out the most: Anjouan (Comoros Islands), Malta, and Curaçao. Each of these jurisdictions offers its own advantages, level of regulation, and cost of market entry.
In this article, we will review the specifics of licensing in these countries, compare applicant requirements, and explain which jurisdiction might be the best fit for your project — whether it’s a startup or an already operating gambling platform.
Criteria for Choosing a Jurisdiction for a Gambling License
Before selecting a country for licensing gambling activities, it is important to determine the key factors that will directly affect the business, its legality, financial stability, and the trust of partners. Here are the main criteria to consider when choosing a jurisdiction:
- Level of Regulation and License Reputation
Some jurisdictions offer licenses with a high level of regulation and strict oversight, such as Malta. These licenses inspire greater trust from players, banks, and international partners. Moreover, due to strict regulation, license holders have better chances of partnering with major companies, including payment providers, who are more likely to offer favorable and reliable payment solutions.
At the same time, there are jurisdictions with more relaxed requirements, such as Curaçao or Anjouan, where regulations are less strict and compliance requirements are softer. Such licenses can be attractive for launching a project but are not always suitable for working with large providers and payment systems.
- License Costs and Maintenance
Costs include government fees, legal support, technical checks, and annual renewals. You should also consider the cost of maintaining a company in the jurisdiction (audit, taxes, compliance). For example, a Maltese license is more expensive but gives access to a wider market, while Anjouan offers an affordable solution for startups.
- Speed of Obtaining a License
Application review times may vary significantly. In some countries, the process may take just a couple of months (Anjouan), while in others, a gambling license is issued within 4–6 months (Malta, Curaçao). This is critical for projects aiming to launch as quickly as possible.
- Applicant and Company Structure Requirements
Some regulators require a physical office, a local director (often with proven qualifications in gambling), IT infrastructure, servers located in the jurisdiction, and a detailed due diligence process for all beneficiaries and key officers.
For example, Malta imposes strict requirements for internal control, regular audits, reporting, appointment of compliance officers (MLRO, Compliance Officer), and compliance with AML policies in line with European standards.
In Curaçao and Anjouan, requirements are much simpler: usually, a registered legal address, a local agent, and basic due diligence are enough, without the need for a physical office, local staff, or full-scale IT infrastructure.
- Possibility of Integrating Payment Solutions
Not all licenses are equally accepted by banks and payment gateways. Some PSPs refuse to work with Anjouan or Curaçao license holders but readily cooperate with Maltese-licensed operators. Therefore, it’s important to determine in advance which payment solutions and markets you plan to target and how your chosen jurisdiction will affect integration.
- Taxation and Financial Reporting
Tax rates, audit obligations, currency control, and other fiscal aspects can greatly influence the project’s economics. Some jurisdictions offer tax benefits, simplified reporting, or even full tax exemption if the activity is conducted outside the country of registration.
Best Jurisdictions for a Gambling License
As mentioned earlier, among the many countries offering online gambling licensing, three main jurisdictions deserve special attention. Each has its own specifics, advantages, and level of regulation. Let’s take a closer look at Anjouan (Comoros Islands), Curaçao, and Malta — popular choices among iGaming operators.
Anjouan for Gambling:
- License: Gaming License of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan
Best for: Startups, budget projects, crypto gambling - Affordable cost: one of the most budget-friendly licenses on the market.
- Fast processing: license issuance takes from 4 weeks to 2 months.
- Simple requirements: no need to open a local office, minimal staff and infrastructure requirements.
- Multi-purpose use: covers casinos, sports betting, lotteries, bingo, scratch cards, and more.
- Crypto-friendly: no ban on working with cryptocurrencies.
Curaçao for Gambling:
- Recent legislative updates: stricter regulation in certain areas, increasing the license’s reputation and strengthening its position in the online gambling market.
- License: Curaçao Gaming License — often used specifically for online casinos.
Best for: Small operators, new platforms, white-label solutions - Longstanding presence: gambling regulation since 1993.
- Low entry threshold: lower costs and requirements compared to European jurisdictions.
- Average processing time: op to 6 months.
- One international license — multiple products: covers the entire spectrum of online gambling.
- Flexible corporate structures: option to incorporate an offshore company to hold the license.
Malta for Gambling:
- License: Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) License
Best for: Large operators, international brands, B2B and B2C platforms - High trust level: one of the most prestigious licenses in the iGaming world.
- Access to the EU market: recognized in most EU countries.
- Two license types: B2C for operators; B2B for software and platform providers.
- Strong banking and PSP support: banks and payment providers readily work with MGA license holders.
- Solid legal and tax framework: clear legal system, investor protection, EU contractual framework.
- High costs: both for obtaining and maintaining the license.
- Strict compliance requirements: Local office, staff, IT infrastructure, reporting, and audits required.
- Long processing time: From 6 months, including all checks.
- Each of these jurisdictions can be an effective platform for launching a gambling project - it is only important to correctly assess your goals, budget and target market.
How to Choose the Optimal Jurisdiction?
Choosing a gambling license jurisdiction depends directly on the scale of the project, budget, target market, and the requirements of investors or partners. There is no one-size-fits-all solution — each country reviewed can be ideal in the right context.
- Choose Anjouan if you are launching a startup with a limited budget, need to start quickly, and the project focuses on cryptocurrencies or emerging markets. Anjouan is an excellent launchpad, especially for crypto casinos, lotteries, and small betting projects.
- Choose Curaçao if you want to obtain a license quickly with a moderate budget, cannot maintain a full office or staff, and work in a white-label or soft launch model. Curaçao offers a balance between cost and brand recognition, suitable for flexible market entry.
- Choose Malta if you are building a recognizable international brand targeting the EU market, plan to attract venture investment or work with major banks, and want maximum trust from players and partners — while being ready to comply with strict regulatory requirements. Registering in Malta is the choice of mature gaming companies ready to invest in long-term growth and business transparency.
If you are planning to launch a gambling business and are not sure which jurisdiction is right for you, contact our specialists for advice, we prepare all documents on a turnkey basis. The right choice at the beginning will help to avoid many problems in the future and will lay the foundation for a scalable and legal project.
