The FS Gaming team has noticed that since the ban on POGOs in 2024, many gaming companies are still searching for countries where gambling is legal and licensed while also considering cost factors. Currently, most companies have moved to regions like Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. In Thailand, most operators are still working remotely, and many industry professionals are taking a wait-and-see approach since Thailand’s online gambling policies remain uncertain. At the end of the day, it all comes down to legality and gambling licenses. While many countries and regions worldwide offer gambling licenses, the costs can vary significantly, and most are not cheap. However, today, the FS Gaming team wants to introduce a gambling license with low licensing fees and no gambling tax—the Anjouan Gambling License. In recent years, Anjouan has emerged as one of the most popular new international gambling license jurisdictions.

Anjouan Island Overview

Anjouan Island (Anjouan), also known as Ndzuwani, is an autonomous island of the Union of the Comoros. It covers an area of approximately 424 square kilometers, with Mutsamudu as its capital. Located in the western Indian Ocean, near the east coast of Africa, it is one of the three main islands of Comoros, alongside Grande Comore and Mohéli.

The Union of the Comoros is an African Arab island nation. Its main territory consists of three volcanic islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan. Additionally, the Comorian government claims that Mayotte, which is currently under French administration, is also part of Comoros.

Political Movement

On March 25, 2008, the Comorian government forces and African Union reinforcements launched an offensive against Anjouan Island, which was controlled by rebel forces. The government forces successfully overthrew the island’s autonomous government. Since then, starting from 2001, the Comorian presidency has rotated every five years among the three islands to balance the economic and political power within the union.

Where is Anjouan Island?

Anjouan Island (Anjouan) is part of Comoros and is one of its three main islands, along with Grande Comore and Mohéli.

• East: About 300 km from Madagascar.
• West: About 400 km from Mozambique.
• North: Near Tanzania and Kenya.
• South: About 70 km from the French overseas territory of Mayotte, but political tensions exist between the two.
• Maritime Location: Located in the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean, serving as a key passage between the African continent and Madagascar.

Distance from Major Cities

• Approximately 160 km from Moroni, the capital of Comoros (located on Grande Comore Island).
• Approximately 900 km from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
• Approximately 70 km from Mayotte, a French overseas department.

What Are the Major Cities of Anjouan Island?

• Mutsamudu: The capital of Anjouan Island, as well as its largest city and commercial center.
• Domoni: The second-largest city on Anjouan Island.

Anjouan Island Population, Language, and Religion

• Anjouan Island Population: Approximately 327,382 people, primarily composed of Arab descendants, Cafre, Makoani, Ouamatsaha, and Sakalava ethnic groups.
• Official Languages: Comorian, French, and Arabic, with Comorian being the most widely spoken language on the island.
• Religion: Over 95% of the population adheres to Islam, primarily Sunni. Islamic culture plays a central role in local social life.

How Is Anjouan’s Economy?

Anjouan’s economy is not doing well and is closely tied to the Union of the Comoros. It is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. The island relies on foreign aid for food every year. With low education levels, most people can only do manual labor. 80% of the population works in agriculture, which contributes 40% to the country’s GDP. The main exports are also agricultural products, but agriculture lacks technological support and is heavily dependent on the weather. This makes it unpredictable and unable to provide long-term financial stability for Anjouan. As a result, remittances from overseas workers have become a crucial source of income, accounting for 20-25% of GDP. In an effort to diversify the economy, the government introduced the gambling license. It may not be a perfect solution, but at least it’s an attempt to improve the situation.

Current Status of the Anjouan iGaming License

The Anjouan iGaming license has been operating in the gaming market for nearly 20 years. It has become a third-party licensing option for certain regions and countries and is gaining increasing attention from gaming industry professionals.

Since 2023, the management of the Anjouan license has been transferred to Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI). This organization is responsible for handling license applications, conducting compliance checks, and providing related services to applicants.

The Anjouan gambling license operates on a one-year renewal system, requiring annual renewal. Unlike other regions or countries that offer “sub-licenses” (Sub-License), Anjouan only provides standard B2B (Business-to-Business) or B2C (Business-to-Consumer) standalone licenses. Gambling operators must apply for their own legal license directly.

As of April 2024, the Gaming Control Anjouan official website lists a total of 19 licensed gaming operators registered.

(Currently, all license verification links on the Gaming Control Anjouan official website are inaccessible, making it impossible to check the latest information on these licenses.)

What Are the Advantages of the Anjouan Gambling License?

The International Gambling Market Has a Wide Regional Scope

The license is applicable in most regions worldwide, except for the following: Australia, Austria, Comoros Islands, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, all FATF (Financial Action Task Force) blacklisted countries, and any regions prohibited by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA). In other words, licensed operators can conduct business in all other countries outside of these restricted areas.

Low Cost of Anjouan Gambling License

Although iGaming industry operating costs are generally high, the Anjouan gambling license costs only around €17,000, which is significantly lower than license fees in other regions or countries. This makes it highly attractive for operators with limited budgets or those looking for a low-cost entry into the gambling market.

Tax Benefits of the Anjouan Gambling License

Anjouan does not impose taxes on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), allowing operators to significantly reduce tax costs and retain more profits. This is a major advantage for gaming platforms looking to optimize operational expenses.

Fast License Approval Process

As long as applicants provide all required documents and pass the KYC identity verification, the Anjouan gambling license can be approved within 2-4 weeks, which is faster than most other jurisdictions.

Standardized Regulation

Although the Anjouan gambling license is relatively small in scale and has only recently gained market attention, it has comprehensive regulatory standards. License holders must strictly comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, anti-fraud measures, and player protection standards, ensuring alignment with international iGaming industry regulations.

Wide Coverage of Gambling Operations

The Anjouan gambling license offers comprehensive coverage, eliminating the need to apply for separate licenses for different types of gambling activities, as required in other jurisdictions. A single license allows operators to run sports betting, slots, poker, roulette, and various other gaming services.

Anjouan Gambling License Applicable for B2C and B2B

The Anjouan gambling license is applicable not only to B2C operations (such as gambling platforms directly serving players) but also to B2B businesses (including white-label providers, gaming software suppliers, etc.). This dual applicability enhances the license’s competitiveness in the gambling market.

Regulatory Framework of Anjouan Island

In 2005, Anjouan enacted the Computer Gaming License Act 007, establishing a modern gambling regulatory framework. Currently, there are two main regulatory bodies:

Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA)

Responsible for overseeing financial services and the gambling industry, ensuring businesses comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and maintaining industry order.

Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI)

Since May 2023, after taking over license management, it is primarily responsible for:

• Simplifying the application process and speeding up approvals.
• Conducting compliance checks and overseeing licensed businesses.
• Providing professional guidance to assist businesses in compliant operations.

Anjouan Gambling License Application Process

Before applying for an Anjouan gambling license, gaming operators should first consider whether the Anjouan license aligns with their short-term and long-term online gaming business goals. This helps avoid unnecessary costs or potential risk factors from choosing an unsuitable license.

Note: According to Anjouan regulatory requirements, gambling platforms must host their servers and player databases in Anjouan.

Note: This process is written by the FS Gaming editor and outlines the general steps for application. However, specific regulatory requirements may change, and the final guidelines should always be based on official regulations.

Anjouan Gambling License Application - Preliminary Preparation

1. Document Preparation: Collect all KYC documents and required application materials to ensure the applying gaming company meets legal and transparency standards. (This means that when applying for an Anjouan gambling license, you need to prepare a series of identity and company documents to prove your legality and compliance with regulatory requirements, such as company registration documents, identification of key personnel, financial reports, etc.)
2. Business Preparation: Ensure the gambling platform fully complies with Anjouan's regulatory standards, especially in terms of compliance and fund flow. (Make sure your gaming company meets the relevant regulatory requirements, including operational processes, financial status, and anti-money laundering measures, to smoothly pass the regulatory review.)

Anjouan Gambling License Application - Due Diligence

Background Check: All key company personnel (including owners, directors, and ultimate beneficiaries) must undergo strict KYC verification and due diligence.

Eligibility Requirements:：

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• No criminal record in the past three years.
• Must have a good business reputation.

Anjouan Gambling License Application - Submission of Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents (all documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation, and must be issued within the last 90 days):

Identity Verification Documents:

• Certified copy of passport.
• Recent utility bill (as proof of address).
• Certificate of No Criminal Record.
• Personal Resume (CV).

Financial Verification Documents:

• Bank Reference Letter (must confirm at least two years of business relationship).
• Professional Reference Letter from an accountant or lawyer (must confirm at least two years of business relationship).

Gambling Platform-Related Documents:

• Detailed Gambling Business Description (including game provider agreements and a copy of RNG certification).
• Domain Ownership Proof Document.
• Platform Terms of Service (must include minor protection policy, responsible gambling policy, and player KYC policy).

Anjouan Gambling License Application - Submission & Review

Application Submission: All application documents must be submitted through Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI) along with the payment of the application fee.

Review Process:

• The regulatory authority will conduct a comprehensive background check on the gambling platform and all key personnel.
• Regulatory authorities may schedule an interview to gain a detailed understanding of the company’s business plan and operational model.

License Issuance: The entire review process typically takes 3-4 weeks. Once approved, the license is granted, allowing the gambling platform to begin operations.

Anjouan Gambling License Fees and Taxes

During the gambling license application process, cost is often one of the most critical factors for operators. Anjouan’s licensing fees are relatively low, and the Anjouan government imposes zero taxes on gambling companies, including Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and corporate income tax. This allows gambling operators to operate in an extremely low-tax environment, significantly reducing financial burdens. Not only does this improve profit margins, but it also makes Anjouan an attractive option for companies looking to optimize their operational costs.

Anjouan Gambling License Tax Rates

• Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) Tax Rate: 0% (Exempt)
• Value Added Tax (VAT): 0% (Exempt)
• Corporate Income Tax: 0% (Exempt)

Anjouan Gambling License Fees

• Application Fee: Approximately €7,000.
• Annual License Fee: €2,000 per year.
• The license includes 2 website domain names. For additional domains, an extra €500 per year will be charged.
• License Renewal Fee: Approximately €13,300 per year.

(These fees are for reference purposes only. For a more accurate cost estimate, including professional consultation services, it is recommended to contact Anjouan’s regulatory authorities directly for further assistance.)

Summary

In 2025, the global iGaming market has entered a new era of stricter regulations. Some gaming operators have started incorporating the Anjouan license as part of their global gaming license portfolio. Holding multiple jurisdictional licenses enables operators to expand their gaming business footprint more effectively and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.

The Anjouan iGaming license, with its low costs, zero gambling tax, fast approval process, and support for various iGaming operations, is gradually becoming one of the preferred licensing options for international gaming companies.

In the future, competition in the iGaming industry will become even more intense, making the choice of the right technology partner crucial. Amid industry transformations, FS Gaming is dedicated to helping gaming enterprises rapidly enter the global iGaming market by providing a one-stop turnkey solution. With FS Gaming, clients can launch and operate a fully functional gaming platform without starting from scratch. Our platform can be set up in just 10 minutes, eliminating the need for complex development while ensuring high concurrency and system stability for smooth operations. We offer 24/7 technical support and cover a wide range of popular gaming products, including slots, live casinos, poker, lottery, and sports betting, catering to the demands of the international iGaming market. FS Gaming looks forward to partnering with you to expand into the global gaming industry, seize new opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth.

Currently, the only officially authorized licensing entity is Anjouan Licensing Services Inc., with its official website being:
https://anjouangaming.com

The official website of Anjouan’s gaming regulatory authority, Gaming Control Anjouan, is:
https://gamingcontrolanjouan.org