Is the Anjouan gaming license legit? Here’s the short map: Anjouan (Ndzuwani) is one of the Comoros islands, and the license is presented as issued by an Anjouan Gaming Commission or ABGB, with some materials referencing the AOFA. Supporters say it covers casino, sportsbook, poker and more, with KYC/AML rules, fast onboarding (days to ~3 months), and low fees, and is accepted by some payment providers and software partners, especially in LatAm, Africa, and parts of Asia, including crypto. But there are serious legal questions: the FATF’s 2024 review notes gambling is prohibited under the Comorian Penal Code, and the Central Bank has disowned AOFA‑style “offshore” regimes, which clouds regulator identity and recognition. Reality sits in the middle—market access is possible, yet enforcement and player redress appear uneven, and the reputation lags Tier‑1 hubs like Malta or reformed Curaçao. Below, I explain what the license is, how it’s positioned, and the exact checks to verify a license number, payments, geo‑blocking, and complaint handling before you commit.
Anjouan gaming license legit: is it real, or just good marketing?
Short answer: it depends on what “legit” means to you. If “legit” is “there is an island authority that issues a license and some payment processors, studios, and hosts accept it,” then yes, Anjouan can be workable. If “legit” is “widely recognized by top-tier regulators, banks, and consumer protection bodies with robust enforcement,” then you’ll find material gaps you can’t gloss over.
Anjouan’s offer is simple: fast, low-cost, umbrella coverage for most iGaming verticals, crypto-friendly stance, and light-touch compliance. For lean operators targeting emerging markets, that’s appealing. But you must weigh that against legal ambiguities within the Union of the Comoros framework and recurring concerns about player protection and regulator responsiveness. The nuance matters because your acquirers, payment partners, affiliates, and players read “legit” very differently.
What Anjouan is offering today
Anjouan sits within the Union of the Comoros and promotes an island-level regime for remote gaming. The commonly referenced bodies are the Anjouan Betting and Gaming Board and the Anjouan Gaming Commission, sometimes linked online to the Anjouan Offshore Financial Authority. Naming inconsistencies alone spark confusion, but from an operator’s point of view, there is an on-island authority that reviews applications and issues licenses.
The pitch is speed and scope. You can secure a single license covering casino, sports, poker, lotteries, and more, often without a local office requirement. Costs are lower than Malta and, since 2023, often lower than Curaçao’s revamped framework. Service firms tout quick timelines, acceptance by a growing pool of PSPs and providers, and policies friendly to fiat and crypto. That combination is why you’ve seen a surge of anjouan gaming license interest since Curaçao tightened the screws.
The benefits operators actually feel
Startups see faster time-to-market, lighter document burdens, and fewer fixed overheads. Bigger brands like the flexibility to scale into more products without stacking sub-licenses. In practice, “acceptance” is patchy but real: mid-market PSPs, alt-pay aggregators, and several software studios will board credible Anjouan operators that meet AML/KYC and geoblocking basics. If your target geographies are LATAM, parts of Africa, and some APAC corridors, you can get to revenue quickly.
The trade-off is perception and enforcement. In mature markets, investors and Tier‑1 counterparties still prefer MGA, UKGC, or a well-run national license. If your growth plans need those doors open in year one, Anjouan alone won’t do it. If you run a clean, transparent shop and stick to approved markets, it can be a pragmatic bridge license.
The counterpoints you cannot ignore
Critics point to a stark legal mismatch: the Union of the Comoros penal code lists gambling as prohibited, and the 2024 FATF Mutual Evaluation for Comoros did not assess a regulated gambling sector. That fuels claims that island-issued permits lack solid footing under national law. The Central Bank of the Comoros has also historically disavowed island “offshore” financial licensing bodies—while that was about banking, the overlap in institutions clouds confidence.
Then there’s enforcement. Public complaints from players and affiliates describe slow or absent responses to disputes, alleged non-payment issues at some operators, and weak follow-up against breaches like accepting deposits from restricted countries. Supporters counter that serious licensees do pass AML/KYC checks and audits and that recognition among processors has improved since 2023. Both can be true: good operators exist under Anjouan, but the regulatory guardrails are thinner than in Tier‑1 regimes.
Player protection and dispute handling
A credible regulator does three things: answers, monitors, and enforces. Reports of unanswered complaints and missed decision timelines undermine the “safety net” that a license should imply. If the venue for appeals is non-responsive, players are left with chargebacks, card scheme complaints, or civil claims—expensive routes few will pursue. That gap doesn’t mean every Anjouan operator is risky; it means the regulator’s “backstop” is not as dependable as Malta or the UK. Operators who care about longevity must self-impose Tier‑1-grade safeguards to compensate.
Payment processors and banks: what recognition really looks like
“Recognized” isn’t binary; it’s a sliding scale. A handful of acquirers and high-risk PSPs will board compliant Anjouan operators if the business ticks other boxes: lawful markets, clean UBOs, strong AML/KYC, source-of-funds evidence, transparent T&Cs, and a real dispute path. Crypto rails and alt-pay providers tend to be more open, especially for non‑EU target markets.
Tier‑1 banks, card schemes, and mainstream PSPs are more conservative. They ask whether the license is enforceable where the company is domiciled, whether national law conflicts with island policy, and whether the regulator actually enforces. If you don’t have reputable corporate structuring, audited financials, and market geoblocking in place, “Anjouan” becomes an uphill KYC battle.
Curaçao changed the game; Anjouan filled the gap
Curaçao’s 2023 reforms retired the master/sub‑license setup and raised compliance and cost. Many early-stage operators lost the “quick and cheap” path. Anjouan stepped in with a familiar story: speed, lower fees, and broad coverage. For several segments, it worked.
But Curaçao’s reboot also raised expectations across the risk stack. PSPs now assume AML/KYC maturity, responsible gaming, and responsive dispute processes as the new normal. Anjouan can be a bridge, but only if you operate as if you’re in a stricter regime. That’s how you get paid on time, keep processors, and avoid the reputation tax.
How to check if a specific Anjouan license is genuine
Start with documents, not logos. Ask the operator for the license certificate and any annexes listing domains and verticals. Confirm the legal entity name, registration number, and registered address on corporate registries where the company claims to be incorporated.
Contact the issuing authority directly using details from official government channels, not third‑party blogs. Ask for written confirmation that the license is active, the domains covered, and any enforcement history. Verify GEO blocks for restricted countries and scan T&Cs for abusive clauses (retroactive bonus terms, undefined “irregular play,” wallet seizures). If the operator won’t provide hard proof, treat that as your answer.
For players, look up third‑party ADR usage, past payout complaints, and whether the casino publishes monthly RTP reports or audit letters. Trust is cumulative; one badge is never enough.
If you are an operator: a compliance blueprint that makes Anjouan work
Corporate and tax structuring
Pick a company domicile that your banks respect and that doesn’t clash with your target markets. Align UBO screening, substance, and accounting with the domicile’s rules. Don’t assume “0% tax” marketing applies to your facts—run a proper cross‑border tax analysis so you don’t trip controlled foreign company rules, management and control tests, or economic substance requirements elsewhere.
Maintain clean, reconciled ledgers for all wallets and cashiers, with player fund segregation and daily breakage reporting. Even if Anjouan isn’t asking for Tier‑1 audits, your processors will.
Controls that build trust
Implement AML/KYC that matches FATF standards: onboarding verification, ongoing monitoring, enhanced due diligence for PEPs and high‑risk geos, and a documented sanctions policy. Bake responsible gaming into UX: self‑exclusion that actually works, cool‑offs, hard deposit limits, and third‑party affordability signals where appropriate. Publish a clear dispute pathway with response SLAs and honor it. If your regulator is quiet, your best protection is being visibly better than required.
If you are a player: practical safety steps
Never rely on a single license badge. Read the T&Cs, especially bonus, KYC, and confiscation clauses. Test withdrawals with a small cash‑only deposit before committing larger sums. Use payment methods with recourse, keep screenshots of balances and chat logs, and avoid casinos that accept you from clearly restricted countries—if they ignore their own blocks, they may ignore your complaints too.
If a dispute arises, file with the casino, then the listed regulator and any named ADR. In parallel, escalate to your card issuer or payment provider with a concise evidence pack. The faster you act, the better your odds.
Risk matrix at a glance
| Issue | What helps in Anjouan | Residual risk |
|---|---|---|
| Legal footing vs. national law | Clear license docs, lawful markets, solid company domicile | Medium: ongoing national–island mismatch questions |
| Payments acceptance | Clean AML/KYC, geoblocking, transparent T&Cs, audited flows | Medium: Tier‑1 PSPs remain cautious |
| Player protection | Self‑imposed Tier‑1 standards, published SLAs, ADR | Medium‑high if the regulator is non‑responsive |
| Market access | Target LATAM/Africa/APAC, avoid restricted countries | Medium: enforcement varies by geo |
| Reputation over time | Clean dispute record, proactive disclosures | Medium: stigma persists in some circles |
So, is an Anjouan gaming license legit?
In the narrow sense—an island authority issues a license that some industry counterparties recognize—yes, it is. In the broader, Tier‑1 sense—clear national statutory basis, consistent enforcement, and strong player redress—the answer is “not yet,” and it may never fully reach that tier without national‑level alignment and visible oversight.
Treat Anjouan as a workable, budget‑friendly bridge for specific markets and business models, not as a universal passport. If you operate there, run Tier‑1 controls anyway. If you play there, vet the operator, not just the badge. That’s how you turn “is this license legit?” into “this operation behaves like it is.”
| Topic | What it means for you | Facts you should know | Risks and limits | Actionable steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick verdict: Is an Anjouan gaming license legit? | It is a real island-level license that some banks, PSPs, and suppliers accept. It is not Tier‑1. | Licenses are issued in Anjouan, part of the Union of the Comoros. Industry recognition has grown since 2023. | Oversight is lighter than Malta. Some market and legal uncertainties exist. Player‑complaint handling has a mixed track record. | Use it with enhanced compliance, strict GEO blocking, and clear player protection. Keep a plan to upgrade if needed. |
| Jurisdiction snapshot | A cost‑effective gateway for global iGaming outside the EU. | Anjouan is an autonomous island in Comoros. The regime targets online operators only. | Not an EU/EEA license. Many top markets remain closed. | Map your target markets first. Confirm local legality in each. |
| Legal basis, in short | You operate under island regulations rather than union‑level law. | Local rules permit remote gaming if licensed by the island authority. | Commentators dispute harmony with union‑level law. You must monitor changes. | Obtain written legal opinions and track legislative updates quarterly. |
| Issuing authority | Your license comes from the island’s gaming body. | Common names used: Anjouan Betting and Gaming Board / Anjouan Gaming Authority, sometimes linked to AOFA. | Past central‑bank warnings targeted “offshore finance” claims tied to AOFA. Debate does not directly settle gaming. | Verify the current competent authority, its seal, contact, and registry entry before applying. |
| What the license covers | One permit for broad iGaming verticals. | Casino, sportsbook, RNG games, poker, and more under a single license are typical. | Land‑based activities are not covered. Local permissions may still be needed elsewhere. | Confirm your verticals are included in your specific license letter. Keep scope on file. |
| Who uses it | Startups, mid‑size operators, and crypto‑friendly brands. | Lower cost and simpler onboarding attract new entrants. | Enterprise brands may want Tier‑1 for core markets or listings. | Use Anjouan to launch, then phase into multi‑license strategy if scaling. |
| Time to license | Faster launch than many jurisdictions. | Typical timelines cited: a few weeks to 2–3 months, case‑dependent. | Delays occur if KYC/AML packs or tech docs are incomplete. | Pre‑validate all docs. Run a mock compliance review before submission. |
| Cost profile | Budget‑friendly entry and maintenance. | Lower application and renewal fees than Malta and, often, post‑reform Curaçao. | Cheapest is not always best if you need Tier‑1 market access or bank grade optics. | Build a 2‑year TCO model (license, compliance, audits, PSP reserves, legal). |
| Tax position | Often paired with tax‑neutral structures. | No local gaming tax commonly cited for non‑Comoros income. | Your home‑country CFC, PE, VAT, and substance rules still apply. | Get international tax advice. Add real substance where you claim management. |
| Corporate setup | Flexible corporate domicile. | No strict need to incorporate in Anjouan; many use IBCs elsewhere. | Bank risk teams may prefer simple, transparent structures with substance. | Use clean jurisdictions, clear UBOs, and documented governance. |
| KYC/AML duties | Real compliance is required. | Identity checks, source‑of‑funds, sanctions screening, and monitoring. | Weak controls risk de‑risking by PSPs or closure by the regulator. | Implement tiered KYC, on‑chain analytics for crypto, and ongoing monitoring. |
| Responsible gaming | Policies and tools are expected. | Self‑exclusion, limits, and clear terms are part of the framework. | Lapses can lead to disputes, chargebacks, and reputational harm. | Automate RG tooling. Keep audit trails for every decision. |
| Technical controls | You need sound infrastructure. | RNG certificates for in‑house games, secure hosting, and uptime SLAs. | Weak tech can block integrations with providers and PSPs. | Get independent RNG/ISMS audits. Maintain WAF, SIEM, and anti‑fraud. |
| Ongoing reporting | Keep the regulator informed. | Compliance updates, incident reporting, and change notifications. | Missing reports can trigger fines or non‑renewal. | Calendarize obligations. Assign an internal compliance officer. |
| Bank and PSP acceptance | Mixed but improving acceptance. | Some PSPs and EMI/PI providers onboard Anjouan. Tier‑1 banks may hesitate. | Higher reserves, rolling holds, and slower onboarding may apply. | Prepare a full compliance pack, clear GEO policy, and provider references. |
| Software providers | Many mid‑tier providers will work with you. | Aggregators and studios increasingly accept Anjouan licensees. | Some top‑tier studios may require additional jurisdictional vetting. | Secure LOIs from key providers before filing your license application. |
| Market access | Not a ticket to regulated markets. | GEO block the UK, USA, EU states like France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, plus FATF‑blacklisted countries. | Serving restricted markets risks PSP cutoffs and enforcement. | Deploy GEO/IP blocks, BIN filters, and targeted KYC rules by country. |
| Player protection | A core trust signal for retention. | Clear T&Cs, dispute channels, and timely withdrawals are essential. | Public complaints cite slow or absent regulator responses in some cases. | Publish a fair complaints path and 72‑hour SLA. Track and report KPIs. |
| Dispute handling | The regulator expects first contact via operator. | Keep a structured escalation ladder and records. | Poor handling can trigger chargebacks and reputational loss. | Offer ADR/ODR partners. Escalate within fixed timelines. |
| Myth: the license is not legit | Reality: it exists and is used in production. | Industry consultants and many operators confirm live use. | Recognition is not universal; standards are evolving. | Pair with strong compliance and transparent operations. |
| Myth: no regulation | Reality: KYC/AML and RG are required. | Documentation and checks are part of the regime. | Enforcement depth and cadence vary. | Conduct self‑audits twice a year and publish summaries. |
| Myth: payment processors reject it | Reality: some do, some don’t. | Acceptance depends on risk appetite and your controls. | Poor metrics kill accounts, regardless of license. | Keep fraud under 0.9%, chargebacks under 0.5%, and share dashboards. |
| Anjouan vs Malta | Speed and cost vs prestige and EU access. | Malta offers Tier‑1 optics and strict oversight. | Malta is costly, slow, and requires local presence. | Use Anjouan to launch; add MGA for EU penetration later. |
| Anjouan vs Curaçao (post‑2023) | Anjouan kept low cost and speed. | Curaçao increased fees and tightened controls. | Curaçao’s new framework is still bedding in. | Compare PSP access, fees, and SLA before choosing. |
| Crypto readiness | Strong for web3‑friendly brands. | Many Anjouan operators accept crypto and stablecoins. | Extra AML/Travel Rule and volatility risks apply. | Use VASP‑compliant partners, KYT tools, and stablecoin rails. |
| Verification checklist | Proves your license is real and current. | Official license letter, registry lookup, and regulator contact confirmation. | Forged letters and fake seals exist online. | Email the authority directly. Validate seals and QR/registry entries. |
| Red flags to avoid | Prevent costly mistakes. | Guaranteed approvals, “use our shell bank,” or no KYC promises. | These trigger bank de‑risking and enforcement. | Walk away from providers that downplay compliance or GEO blocks. |
| Best‑fit use cases | Where the license shines. | Emerging‑market focus, agile startups, crypto‑enabled models. | Not ideal for heavy EU exposure or public listings. | Start lean, measure traction, then stack licenses by market. |
| Not a fit when | Consider Tier‑1 instead. | You need EU market entry, high PSP headroom, or investor optics. | Misfit increases cost of capital and provider churn. | Choose Malta/Isle of Man/Gibraltar for those goals. |
| Risk mitigation plan | Lowers acceptance friction. | Documented policies, training, and third‑party audits. | Paper programs without execution fail PSP due diligence. | Publish a compliance manual, train quarterly, and log all controls. |
| Insurance and chargebacks | Protects revenue and cash flow. | Chargeback insurance and PSP reserve terms matter. | High dispute ratios cause account terminations. | Use 3‑D Secure, velocity rules, and clear bonus terms. |
| Data protection | Avoids fines and trust loss. | Encrypt PII, apply retention limits, and meet GDPR where it applies. | Cross‑border data flows raise legal risk. | Use EU‑based CDNs and SCCs. Run annual DPIAs. |
| Banking and treasury | Keep funds safe and flowing. | Multi‑PSP, multi‑currency, and segregated player funds. | Single‑provider dependency is risky. | Maintain at least two PSPs and a safeguarding account. |
| Migration and upgrades | Plan your licensing roadmap. | Add Curaçao/Malta/Isle of Man as you scale. | Switching under duress is costly. | Bake “upgrade to Tier‑1” into board strategy and budget. |
| Vendor onboarding | Faster integrations, fewer surprises. | Provide your license, KYC program, GEO lists, and risk KPIs. | Missing documents stall deals. | Prepare a due‑diligence pack and keep it updated monthly. |
| Short FAQ: Is it legal to serve EU/UK/US players? | Generally no, without local rights. | Many of these are on restricted lists. | Violations can trigger blocks and fines. | GEO block and refuse registrations from restricted territories. |