Gambling license and gaming company abroad

The modern gambling or iGaming industry is experiencing a period of significant growth, particularly in the online space, driven by increasing internet and mobile device usage, the search for new entertainment, and convenient access to online gaming.

The global online gambling market is expected to reach $153 billion by 2030, indicating substantial development potential. Growing internet penetration, especially the implementation of 5G technology and increased mobile phone usage for online gaming, are driving demand for online gambling.

The Ukrainian gambling market is also experiencing this trend. In Ukraine, according to Ukrainian gambling regulators, in 2023, licensed gambling operators contributed more than 10.4 billion hryvnias in taxes to the state budget, in 2024 - 17 billion hryvnias, and in 9 months of 2025 - 14 billion hryvnias. However, to date, the legislative regulation of gambling in Ukraine establishes a rather high cost of obtaining a license for online gambling and strict requirements for operational activities.

For this reason, online gambling operators are increasingly considering the possibility of obtaining an online gambling license and locating their operational activities outside of Ukraine, in jurisdictions with a more affordable cost of “entry” into the online gambling industry.

• Reduced Regulatory Burden: Some jurisdictions, especially those offering "multi-jurisdictional" licenses (Curaçao, Anjouan, etc.), provide simpler licensing procedures, lower regulatory compliance costs, and greater business management flexibility.
• Opportunity to Obtain an Internationally Recognized License: Licenses issued in countries like Malta or the Isle of Man, and even Curaçao, which has gained significant popularity in the iGaming industry over the years, provide a high level of international market trust, facilitating the attraction of more clients and partners.
• Access to New Markets: Registering a gambling company abroad opens access to new markets, clients, more reliable and competitive gaming providers, and payment service providers.
• Tax Advantages and Favorable Regulation: Some countries offer more favorable tax conditions for gambling businesses, such as special tax regimes for this sector, less stringent regulation, and a larger number of players.
• Access to Advanced Technological Infrastructure: Countries focused on the gaming sector have more developed technological infrastructure for gambling businesses, allowing the use of advanced technologies and platforms.
• Global Business Expansion: Registering a company abroad can be the first step in international expansion, enabling the company to expand its business beyond national borders.
• Flexibility in Corporate Structure: Many jurisdictions have tools for optimizing corporate structure, making company management, tax planning, and partner interactions easier.
• Risk Diversification: Conducting business in multiple jurisdictions and markets helps minimize risks associated with economic or political changes.

Types of gambling licenses and their features

Gambling licenses are divided according to several criteria: type of client, game format and geography of operation. The main types of gambling licenses:

B2C (Business-to-Consumer):

• Allows the operator to work directly with players.
• Covers online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, poker, slots. Note that a separate license for an online casino is not issued, the casino license is included in the general license.
• The most common type of license for iGaming operators that are focused on the end user.

B2B (Business-to-Business):

• Allows the operator to provide technological solutions and a platform to other operators.
• Does not give the right to work directly with players.
• Covers the entire range of gambling products for business clients.

Bookmaker licenses:

• Allows you to accept bets on sports, esports and other events.
• May have restrictions on bet types: live, prematch, totalizers.

Lottery licenses:

• Allows you to conduct state or private lotteries, lottery and instant.
• Often include strict requirements for auditing and transparency of draws.

Specialized and hybrid licenses:

• For example, for poker rooms, binary options or skill-based games.
• May combine B2B and B2C rights or have regional restrictions.

However, it is worth considering that each jurisdiction classifies licenses in its own way, so it is important to choose the right type before starting a business, which will allow you to legally work in the right countries and with the right products.

Basic Rules for Opening Gambling Companies

Opening a gambling company requires adherence to a series of rules and regulations that may vary depending on the jurisdiction. However, several key rules can be highlighted for opening a gambling company abroad:

1. Market Selection

First of all, before starting the process of obtaining a license, it is worth clearly defining the list of markets or countries that you plan to target with your services, as well as the local regulation of the iGaming sector. This stage is crucial as it determines the business development strategy, regulatory requirements, and potential challenges that may arise when entering the selected markets. This issue is closely related to the ability to generate online traffic in the potentially targeted markets.Therefore, it is worth starting with this when obtaining a gambling license.

2. Choosing a jurisdiction to obtain a license

The next step is to choose the jurisdiction where you plan to obtain a license, as different jurisdictions have different laws and regulations regarding gambling, so it is important to choose the one that meets your needs. When choosing a jurisdiction, you should consider factors such as: the cost of obtaining a license, including tax rates and licensing fees, regulatory requirements and the level of complexity of the regulator's requirements for obtaining a license, as well as the list of available target markets in which such a license allows you to operate. Many are interested in the so-called "offshore gambling license" due to low taxation and more flexible regulatory conditions.

3. Obtaining a License

After the jurisdiction is chosen, you need to obtain a gambling license, as the gaming industry is considered high-risk and subject to exclusive verification. The licensing process can be complex and time-consuming, but with professional legal support, this stage can be navigated without unnecessary expenses.

4. Selecting a Technology Provider

The next stage is choosing a technological provider who will help launch and operate your gambling platform. An iGaming operator can use either a proprietary gambling platform or third-party provider services. If third-party services are planned, it is crucial to have a reliable technical infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted internet gambling platform operation and ensure user data and financial security.

Therefore, the technology provider should have experience in the gambling industry and offer a wide range of services, such as software development, payment integration, fraud protection, and customer service.

5. Selecting a Banking Service Provider

Since online games often involve direct settlements, you need to open an account (bank or payment system) to process payments from your players. Independently opening such an account is quite challenging, as most financial providers are unwilling to work with this risk level, so professional specialist support is essential.

6. Marketing and Advertising

Advertising is equally important. It is necessary to comply with gambling advertising and marketing rules, including restrictions on attracting minors and the mandatory honesty and transparency in advertising campaigns to avoid being placed on advertiser blacklists.

7. Compliance with Rules

After obtaining the gambling license, iGaming operators must adhere to all relevant laws and rules governing the gambling industry in their jurisdiction: AML/CTF legislation, implement effective financial transaction control systems to prevent fraud, and prohibit access to their services for underage players, etc.

It is important to note that non-compliance can lead to serious consequences, such as fines, license revocation, or even criminal prosecution.

Gambling Activity Licenses: Most Popular Countries

Jurisdictions like Curaçao, Anjouan, Malta, and the Isle of Man are known for their gambling industry friendliness and providing licenses for gambling companies. Obtaining a gambling license in these countries can be an attractive option for companies worldwide. Considering this, below are the main licensing features for gambling in each of these countries:

Obtaining a Gambling License in Curaçao

• Curaçao, as part of the Netherlands Antilles, has been known for its flexibility and relatively quick gaming license obtaining process.
• Two types of gaming licenses are distinguished: B2C and B2B.
• License processing time –  to 6 months.
• Tax: Curaçao has a territorial taxation system; the tax amount will be calculated based on income and expenses the company had during the year directly on the island.

➜ Find out more about gambling licenses in Curaçao.

Obtaining Gambling Licenses on the Isle of Man

• The Isle of Man, as a jurisdiction, is attractive and “prestigious” for gambling companies due to its loyalty to gambling, long history of iGaming regulation, and attractive tax regime.
• One general gambling activity license is issued, covering online casinos, lotteries. 
• License applications are reviewed in about 10-12 weeks, with an overall processing time of about 6 months.
• Game tax – from 0.1% to 1.5% of gross gaming revenue (GGR), with lower rates for higher income.

➜ More about gaming licenses in the Isle of Man.

Obtaining a gambling license in Kanawake:

• Kanawake is a popular jurisdiction for obtaining iGaming licenses, issuing online gambling licenses since 1999.
• Kanawake offers fast licensing, multi-jurisdictional nature and a stable legal system.
• Kanawake’s license is universal and covers a wide range of online gaming activities.
• Licenses are issued for 5 years. The average processing time for a license application is 4-8 weeks.
• There is no gaming revenue tax (GGR), companies only pay a fixed license fee.

➜ Learn more about gambling licenses in Kanawake.

Obtaining a Vanuatu gaming license:

• Vanuatu is one of the most attractive and affordable multi-jurisdictions for online gambling operators due to stable regulation and low taxes.
• A B2C license is available for gambling operators, and a B2B license is also expected to be introduced.
• The term for obtaining a gambling license is from 2 months. Annual renewal is required.
• Gaming tax is 1% of betting turnover, other taxes are not applied.

➜ Learn more about how to obtain a gambling license in Vanuatu.

Obtaining a Gambling License in Anjouan

• Anjouan, part of the Comoros Islands, became a popular jurisdiction for gambling companies after recent regulatory changes in Curaçao.
• No division into license types; a general license is applied for poker, lotteries, casinos, software services, and White Labeling services. Annual license renewal is required.
• License is issued for one year and requires renewal. Overall processing time – up to 3 months.
• Game tax – 0%, does not charge tax on gross gaming revenue.

➜ More about gaming licenses in Anjouan.

Obtaining a Gambling License in Malta

• Malta is known for its reputation as one of the most prestigious jurisdictions for gambling companies in Europe.
• Two license types are available: Game Developer or Key Software License (B2B) and Online Gambling Operator License (B2C).
• License validity – 10 years. Processing time – up to 6 months.
• Game tax – 5%, levied on profits from Maltese players.

 ➜ More about gaming licenses in Malta.

Each of these countries has its advantages and characteristics, and the choice of a location for obtaining a gambling license depends on the specific needs and strategies of a particular company. How much does an online casino license cost? The cost of a gambling license will depend on the selected country, license category and type of business. Also, the price depends not only on the license fee, but also on additional expenses that may be needed to open a gaming company from scratch.

Risks of Improper Operation of Gambling Licenses

In the gambling business, any deviation from the rules of the regulator or the use of a license in a foreign jurisdiction can have serious consequences. If the operator operates without a properly selected gambling license, or goes beyond the jurisdiction where the license was issued (provided that it operates with a “local” license, that is, if the gambling license is not multi-jurisdictional), this automatically creates the risk of violating the law and canceling the license. In addition, the following consequences may arise:

• Cancellation of the license or ban on activities in the player's country
• Fines and sanctions from regulators, including criminal liability of management
• Blocking of payment systems and bank accounts
• Loss of investment due to freezing of income or closure of the platform
• Loss of player trust due to unreliability or lack of payment guarantees
• Negative PR in the media and social networks, which harms the brand even before entering the market
• Increased attention from tax authorities and the risk of additional charges
• Inability to legally work with international payment systems and partners

That is why it is worth building the structure of a gambling company correctly from the very beginning, laying down all the necessary processes and mechanisms for compliance with the law. This approach allows you to minimize the risks of license cancellation, blocking of accounts or fines, and also ensures transparency for partners and players.

It is especially important to enlist the support of lawyers specializing in the gambling industry at the early stages. In particular, our company, Campio Group, will help:

• choose the right jurisdiction and type of gambling license;
• prepare a full package of documents for the regulator;
• configure financial and technical processes in accordance with security standards and legal requirements;
• take into account tax aspects and guarantees of payments to players;
• avoid legal pitfalls when scaling the business to international markets.

Thus, a comprehensive approach ensures the legality of activities, stability and customer trust, which is key to the successful development of the gambling business.