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Anjouan Reports 1,400+ iGaming Licensees After 2023 Reform

Anjouan Surpasses 1,400 iGaming Licensees After 2023 Reform – Regulatory Changes Reshape Offshore Market Dynamics

Key Takeaways

• Anjouan reports more than 1,400 active iGaming licensees operating over 3,000 live gambling sites since its 2023 regulatory overhaul.
• The new framework introduced streamlined processes, AML and KYC requirements, audits, and public enforcement actions.
• Company incorporation can take around five days, with full licensing typically completed within 28 to 42 days if documentation is in order.
• The jurisdiction applies 0% gaming tax and 0% corporate tax and operates a single license covering multiple verticals.
• Approximately 900 operators left Curacao after its post LOK reforms, with many reportedly migrating to Anjouan.

2023 Regulatory Overhaul Marks Turning Point for Anjouan

Anjouan, part of the Union of the Comoros, has positioned itself as a major offshore iGaming licensing jurisdiction following a regulatory overhaul in 2023. According to industry consultant Ron Mendelson, Director of Fast Offshore, the revised framework has led to rapid growth in the number of licensed operators.

The updated regime was introduced as part of a broader effort to diversify the local economy beyond tourism. Authorities implemented streamlined administrative processes and a regulatory structure designed to support operational businesses. Since the reform, the jurisdiction has recorded more than 1,400 active licensees running over 3,000 gambling websites.

For operators evaluating licensing options, these figures indicate a significant concentration of offshore iGaming activity within a single jurisdiction over a relatively short period.

Regulatory Structure Combines Oversight With Simplified Procedures

The 2023 framework includes anti money laundering and know your customer requirements, regular audits, and public enforcement actions. At the same time, the system is structured to avoid extensive administrative layers that some operators associate with other offshore hubs.

Mendelson states that this balance between oversight and operational flexibility has contributed to broader commercial acceptance. Payment providers and acquiring banks that previously hesitated to process transactions linked to Anjouan licensed operators are now reportedly doing so on a routine basis.

For crypto betting platforms and international sportsbooks, access to stable payment processing remains a critical operational factor. Regulatory clarity combined with defined compliance procedures can influence whether payment institutions are willing to support a license from a specific jurisdiction.

Cost Structure and Timelines Differentiate the Jurisdiction

One of the distinguishing features of the Anjouan model is its cost and time framework. Company incorporation can be completed in as little as five days. Full licensing typically takes between 28 and 42 days when applicants submit complete documentation.

The jurisdiction applies 0% gaming tax and 0% corporate tax. Setup and renewal fees are described as among the lowest available in the offshore market. For startups and operators testing new markets, upfront and recurring costs directly affect capital allocation and runway.

In comparison, Curacao has undergone reforms under its post LOK structure. According to Mendelson, these changes increased annual costs and introduced requirements such as maintaining a physical office and local staff. As sub licenses expired, roughly 900 operators reportedly exited the jurisdiction. Many of them are said to have relocated to Anjouan.

For comparison platform users, shifts in licensing trends can affect which regulatory logos appear on betting and casino websites and how operators structure their international offerings.

Single License Covers Multiple Gambling Verticals

Anjouan operates a single license model. Under this structure, one authorization covers casino, sports betting, poker, lottery, esports, crypto games, and related activities.

Operators can add payment methods, change shareholders, or expand into additional verticals without applying for separate permits. This reduces the need for multiple parallel approvals and may shorten time to market when launching new products.

For crypto focused gambling sites, the ability to integrate additional digital payment methods without separate licensing processes can streamline platform updates. The jurisdiction has supported major digital assets from the outset of its revised regime, subject to standard AML and KYC protocols.

Positioning Within the Broader Offshore Licensing Landscape

The recent growth of Anjouan reflects wider changes in the offshore licensing environment. Jurisdictions can gain or lose market share depending on regulatory adjustments, compliance standards, and cost structures.

Mendelson notes that Anjouan may not meet the needs of operators targeting markets that require Tier 1 licenses such as those issued in Malta or Nevis. Businesses aiming to serve the United Kingdom or certain European Union countries from launch may face different regulatory expectations.

However, for operators whose target markets do not mandate such licenses, the Anjouan framework offers an alternative combining relatively fast approval timelines with defined compliance obligations.

Our Assessment

Since its 2023 overhaul, Anjouan has recorded more than 1,400 active iGaming licensees and over 3,000 live sites, indicating substantial growth within a short timeframe. The jurisdiction combines AML and KYC requirements, audits, and enforcement mechanisms with simplified procedures, a single license structure, and 0% gaming and corporate tax.

At the same time, reforms in other offshore hubs such as Curacao have altered cost and operational requirements, contributing to reported operator migration. For international crypto betting and iGaming businesses, licensing choices remain closely linked to regulatory scope, payment processing acceptance, cost structure, and target market requirements.