Anjouan iGaming license application process

The Anjouan iGaming license is an online gambling authorization issued by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA), the regulatory body created under the island’s Computer Gaming Licensing Act No. 007 of 2005. One license covers casino games, sports betting, poker, and related products, so operators do not need separate approvals for each vertical.

Anjouan has become one of the quicker offshore licensing routes. A complete, well-documented application usually takes 6 to 8 weeks from submission to a live licence, and the fastest well-prepared files close in about 4 weeks. Compare that with Curaçao, where the sub-license system is still being restructured, or Malta, where MGA review often drags on for several months. Most delays are self-inflicted. Missing documents, ownership structures the regulator cannot trace, or AML and KYC policies that were obviously written in a hurry will all slow you down. Applicants who prepare these properly tend to move through without problems. If you want help with the process, MGL Solutions (MyGamingLicense) handles Anjouan filings end to end, covering document preparation, compliance readiness, and post-licence support alongside the application itself. The firm also licenses operators in onshore and EU-regulated jurisdictions, so Anjouan gets assessed against the alternatives rather than recommended by default. That matters most to operators who want the filing right the first time, without avoidable back-and-forth with the regulator.

The rest of this article walks through each stage of the application, starting with entity incorporation and ending with license issuance. It includes expected timelines for each stage, a breakdown of the fees involved, and a checklist you can use to keep your filing on track.

Legal foundation: who issues and oversees the Anjouan iGaming licence

Anjouan internet gaming licences are issued by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) under the Computer Gaming Licensing Act No. 007 of 2005 and supervised by the Anjouan Betting and Gaming Board (ABGB). Always reference both bodies together with Act No. 007 of 2005 when verifying credentials.

A word on naming drift: you will encounter variants online such as AOGA and plain “Anjouan Gaming Authority”, and neither is a correct official designation. ALSI is a real entity, but it is the authorised licence administrator rather than the regulator, so it should never be named as the licensing authority. Banks and payment providers notice when a legal document or due diligence report names the wrong authority, and that tends to raise questions you would rather not have to answer.

The licence itself is broad. One permit covers internet gaming across casino products, sports betting, poker, and B2B software provision. What a given operator can actually offer depends on the licence schedule rather than the act itself.

Once your licence is issued, check your own entry in AOFA’s public register. It lists issuance dates, licence status, and registered entity names, so it is the fastest way to confirm your record reads correctly before banks and payment providers look you up. Run the same check on any B2B supplier or platform vendor that claims Anjouan authorisation.

Applicant types and product verticals covered under a single Anjouan licence

Anjouan typically licenses B2C operators and B2B suppliers for online casino, sportsbook, poker, lottery, and bingo, including crypto-enabled models, under a single internet gaming licence (no sublicensing).

Covered applicant types and product verticals:

• B2C operators — direct-to-player platforms offering online casino (slots, table games, live dealer), fixed-odds and live sportsbook, poker rooms, digital lottery, and bingo;
• Crypto gaming operations — platforms accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets qualify without a separate licence category;
• B2B suppliers — software providers and platform vendors require a Recognition Certificate (mandatory from July 2025), not a full B2C licence;
• Blockchain-based games — covered under the standard internet gaming licence scope.

Known carve-outs and restrictions:

• Sublicensing to third-party operators is explicitly prohibited under the B2C licence;
• Each licence includes 2 URLs by default; additional domains carry an extra fee;
• Nine markets are commonly excluded from approved operating territories: USA, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Australia, and Comoros, plus all FATF-blacklisted jurisdictions.

Self-qualify checklist: Confirm your target markets are outside the restricted list before filing — mismatched geo-targeting is a leading cause of application delays.

Application sequence: from pre-filing to licence in hand

With a complete submission: preparation 1–2 weeks, administrator check 2–3 business days, regulator due diligence 4 to 5 weeks (including PEP/sanctions vetting), and issuance within 2–3 days after approval.

Stage 1 — Pre-filing gap check (Week 1–2)

•  Audit corporate documents against AOFA requirements before touching the application portal.
• Confirm UBO ownership chain is clean, consistent, and supported by certified source-of-funds (SoF) and source-of-wealth (SoW) evidence.
•  Identify any politically exposed persons (PEP) in the structure early — undisclosed PEPs are the single most common pause factor.

Stage 2 — Submission via Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (Days 1–3 after submission)

• Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. acts as the sole authorised licence administrator, routing and pre-screening every application before it reaches the AOFA.
• The administrator runs a completeness check within 2–3 business days; an incomplete pack is returned, resetting the clock.

Stage 3 — AOFA due diligence and fit-and-proper checks (Weeks 2–7)

• The Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) conducts PEP screening, sanctions database checks, and UBO verification.
• Queries and clarifications are issued in writing; every day your team delays responding extends the review window proportionally.
• Unresolved UBO mismatches or opaque SoF/SoW narratives can pause the process indefinitely.

Stage 4 — Licence issuance (Days 1–3 after approval)

• Once fit-and-proper checks clear, licence issuance follows within 2–3 business days.
• The licence covers 2 URLs by default; additional URLs require a separate fee.

Common delay triggers and how to eliminate them before filing

The most common delay causes are incomplete KYC, UBO mismatches, vague source-of-funds evidence, generic AML policy templates, and slow responses to regulator queries—all preventable with thorough pre-filing preparation.

• Incomplete KYC packs: Missing certified ID, address proof, or corporate structure charts triggers immediate requests for supplementary documents; compile a full KYC bundle for every director and shareholder before submission.
• UBO mismatches: Discrepancies between declared beneficial owners and company registry records stall fit-and-proper checks; reconcile all ownership layers against official filings first.
• Vague source-of-funds / source-of-wealth evidence: Bank statements without narrative context are routinely rejected; pair financial records with a clear written explanation of wealth origin.
• Generic AML/KYC policy templates: Off-the-shelf documents that omit operator-specific risk ratings and escalation procedures generate clarification cycles; tailor every policy to your actual product and player base.
• Slow signatory responses: Delayed e-signatures on notarised declarations pause review queues; brief all signatories on turnaround expectations before the application goes in.

Completeness and responsiveness—not relationships—determine approval speed.

Compliance and documentation pack: what the regulator expects

Expect certified KYC for UBOs/key persons, robust AML/CTF and KYC programs, a responsible gaming policy, data protection measures, a detailed business plan, technical/platform attestations, and clear source-of-funds/wealth evidence.

Personal and corporate identity documents

• Certified passport copies and proof of address (dated within 3 months) for every UBO and key person;
• Certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, and corporate structure chart;
• UBO declaration signed by all beneficial owners holding ≥10% interest.

Source of funds/wealth (SoF/SoW) — one example per UBO type

• Salaried director: last 6 months’ payslips plus bank statements showing accumulated capital;
• Shareholder/investor: audited accounts or signed investment agreement confirming the origin of contributed capital.

Compliance program artifacts

• AML/CTF policy mapped to specific risks and roles — generic templates are the top delay cause;
• KYC procedures covering customer verification, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting;
• Responsible gaming policy including age verification, self-exclusion, and deposit-limit controls;
• Data protection and cybersecurity framework aligned with GDPR, with AML/CTF controls mapped to FATF standards.

Business plan and technical attestations

• Detailed business plan covering products, target markets, financial projections, and risk controls;
• Platform testing certificate from an approved independent lab;
• RNG certification and geoblocking configuration evidence for restricted markets.

Fees, renewal costs, and the 0% gaming tax advantage

Entry-level regulatory fees start from €17,828 with annual renewal; add costs for extra URLs and key-person due diligence. The framework applies 0% gaming tax on GGR. 

Cost Line	Detail
Application / government fee	From €17,828 (baseline regulatory charge)
Typical first-year total	€23,000–€30,000 (incl. incorporation and platform variances)
Annual renewal fee	From €13,300; process takes 5–10 business days
URLs included	2 URLs per licence; additional URLs available for an extra fee
Key-person due diligence	€2,000 per individual, per year
B2B Recognition Certificate	€9,500 per year (mandatory for B2B operators from July 2025)
Gaming tax on GGR	0%
Corporate income tax / VAT	0% under local framework — verify against your holding structure
PSP / banking fees	Separate budgeting line; not set by the regulator
Technical testing / attestation	Provider-variable; confirm scope during pre-filing

Renewal note: Begin renewal at least 60 days before expiry. Post-licence obligations — including AML reporting, responsible-gambling policy audits, and (from 2026) mandatory ADR provider designation — carry no standalone regulatory fee but generate compliance service costs that belong in your annual budget.

Anjouan vs Curaçao, Malta, and Nevis: speed, scope, and compliance depth compared

In typical cases, Anjouan approves faster (about 6 to 8 weeks from a complete file, and near 4 weeks at the fastest) than Malta’s audit-heavy process, with broader single-licence coverage than many Curaçao/Nevis setups.

Feature	Anjouan	Curaçao	Malta	Nevis
Time to market	6 to 8 weeks	4 to 6 months	6 to 12 months	2 to 3 months
Compliance depth	Light	Moderate	Extensive (ISO/ISMS audits)	Moderate
Single-licence scope	All verticals	All verticals	All verticals	All verticals
Cost tier	Lower	Mid	High	Mid
Crypto-friendly	Yes	Conditional	Limited	Conditional

Three differentiators stand out for time-to-market planning:

• Speed: Anjouan’s due diligence window is fixed but relatively short; Malta’s technical audits alone can extend review by months.
• Compliance intensity: Malta demands ongoing ISO/ISMS-aligned controls; Anjouan’s framework is lighter, though AML/KYC standards are tightening through 2025–2026.
• Cost predictability: Anjouan’s fee structure is more transparent upfront than Curaçao’s post-reform model.

Caveat: clean documentation and a straightforward product mix drive these timelines — complex structures add weeks regardless of jurisdiction.

Choosing a service provider: authorised administrator vs. law firms and turnkey vendors

Applications route via the authorised administrator (ALSI), while private firms like MGL Solutions, InteliumLaw, GGRSoft, Manavia, and SBSB support readiness, documentation, and platform launch.

Provider Type	Role	Strengths	Limitations	Example Firms
Authorised Administrator (ALSI)	Mandatory filing gateway; submits application to regulator	Direct regulatory access; official submission channel	Not a substitute for legal or compliance advisory	Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI), a private company appointed as the authorised administrator
Law Firms / Compliance Advisors	Document preparation, AML/KYC structuring, due diligence readiness	Deep legal expertise; banking/PSP onboarding support	No direct filing authority	InteliumLaw, Manavia, SBSB Fintech Lawyers, MGL Solutions
Turnkey iGaming Vendors	Platform build, software certification, full-cycle launch support	Speed to market; integrated compliance and technical stack	Variable document quality; verify track record independently	GGRSoft, MGL Solutions

Selection criteria worth checking: documented track record with completed Anjouan licences, certified platform readiness, responsiveness during due diligence, and named banking/PSP onboarding contacts.