Anjouan or Curacao License: Which One to Choose for a Legal iGaming Launch in 2025
Anjouan vs Curacao
Which to choose for
a legal iGaming launch
a legal iGaming launch
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Choosing the right license is a critical step in launching any iGaming project – whether it’s an online casino, sportsbook, poker room, or slots platform.
At the early stage, most operators consider two main jurisdictions: the Anjouan license and the Curaçao license. Both are accessible, widely used, and provide a legal pathway to market entry – but they differ significantly. In 2025, amid global shifts in gambling regulations, it’s more important than ever to understand which license best suits your business model: Anjouan or Curaçao.
In this article, we provide an in-depth comparison of the Anjouan and Curaçao licenses based on key factors – processing time, costs, technical and legal requirements, the attitude of payment providers, banks, platform providers, and other critical aspects that influence the legality and long-term stability of your iGaming business.
At the early stage, most operators consider two main jurisdictions: the Anjouan license and the Curaçao license. Both are accessible, widely used, and provide a legal pathway to market entry – but they differ significantly. In 2025, amid global shifts in gambling regulations, it’s more important than ever to understand which license best suits your business model: Anjouan or Curaçao.
In this article, we provide an in-depth comparison of the Anjouan and Curaçao licenses based on key factors – processing time, costs, technical and legal requirements, the attitude of payment providers, banks, platform providers, and other critical aspects that influence the legality and long-term stability of your iGaming business.
Anjouan Gambling License in 2025
Anjouan is an autonomous island that forms part of the Union of the Comoros. Gambling licenses are issued by the local regulator – the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority. Since 2022, Anjouan has been rapidly developing and has become a popular alternative to Curaçao, especially for startups and operators with limited budgets.
Key advantages:
- Low licensing cost – one of the most affordable options globally
- Fast processing – typically 2 to 4 weeks
- License can be obtained without a local company – via an existing entity registered in another jurisdiction (e.g. Curaçao, Costa Rica, UK, Cyprus)
- Minimal technical requirements for platform setup
- Covers all types of gambling: casino, betting, poker, bingo, live games, etc.
- Simplified compliance – no annual audits or strict reporting requirements
- Limited global recognition – especially from banks and major payment service providers
- Short validity period (1 year) – requires annual renewal
Curaçao Gaming License in 2025
Curaçao is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and one of the oldest and most recognized jurisdictions in the online gambling world. Previously, it operated under a master/sub-license model, but in 2024, a new regulatory framework was introduced under the supervision of the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB), significantly tightening the requirements for operators.
Key advantages:
- Strong reputation – in operation since 1996 and widely recognized in the market
- Suitable for business scaling and legal cooperation with major international partners
- Allows the opening of bank accounts and integration with global payment systems (subject to compliance)
- Covers all major types of gambling activities
- Offers the possibility of sublicensing agreements for B2B operations
- The new licensing system requires the establishment of a local company in Curaçao
- Higher cost compared to Anjouan
- Stricter compliance – mandatory financial reporting, KYC/AML procedures, and local substance requirements
- Longer processing time than under the previous regime
How to choose between the Anjouan and Curaçao licenses?
Choose Anjouan if:
- You're launching a startup with a limited budget
- You don’t plan to work with major banks or PSPs
- Fast and legal market entry is a priority
- You’re comfortable working with cryptocurrencies and alternative payment systems
- Your target markets are LATAM, Asia, or Africa
- You're building a scalable brand with a long-term strategy
- You plan to work with traditional banks and payment providers
- You need a stable and reputable legal framework
- You're ready to meet higher compliance standards and open a local company
- You’re targeting European or Tier-1 markets
Anjouan or Curaçao license – which is more advantageous in 2025?
If you need to launch your project quickly and with minimal costs – and you're not aiming to build a large-scale brand – the Anjouan license remains the most viable option in 2025. It covers all essential requirements, provides legal operating status, and offers a simplified renewal process.
However, if your project is designed for scaling, attracting investors, and integrating with international payment systems – or you're targeting high-reputation markets – the Curaçao license will offer a more solid foundation, despite the higher cost and more complex compliance process.
However, if your project is designed for scaling, attracting investors, and integrating with international payment systems – or you're targeting high-reputation markets – the Curaçao license will offer a more solid foundation, despite the higher cost and more complex compliance process.
Conclusion
Both Anjouan and Curaçao licenses allow you to legally launch an iGaming project in 2025. The choice depends on your goals, scale, budget, and target audience.
The Finextwin team supports clients in every stage of the process – from company registration to obtaining an Anjouan or Curaçao license, integrating payment solutions, and ensuring full legal compliance. We know the nuances of both jurisdictions and will deliver a fast start with complete legal support.
The Finextwin team supports clients in every stage of the process – from company registration to obtaining an Anjouan or Curaçao license, integrating payment solutions, and ensuring full legal compliance. We know the nuances of both jurisdictions and will deliver a fast start with complete legal support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before starting a gambling business
It depends on your business goals. The Anjouan license is ideal for a fast and cost-effective launch with minimal requirements – especially for startups working with cryptocurrencies or alternative payment solutions. Curaçao is a more stable and reputable choice for scalable businesses, especially when working with traditional PSPs, banks, and investors. In 2025, Curaçao strengthened its licensing requirements, improving its reputation but increasing complexity.
Anjouan allows licensing through an existing foreign company registered in a jurisdiction such as Curaçao, the UK, Cyprus, or Costa Rica. This reduces costs and speeds up the launch process. Since 2024, Curaçao requires the incorporation of a local entity, making the process more expensive and complex.
Both licenses legally allow the use of cryptocurrencies, but Anjouan is more flexible in this area. It doesn’t require strict auditing and is often chosen by startups working in Web3 and DeFi. Curaçao demands full AML/KYC compliance even when accepting crypto, which reduces flexibility but increases trust among payment partners.
Anjouan is the clear leader in terms of speed: the entire process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks with properly prepared documentation. After Curaçao introduced the new GCB licensing system, the timeline extended – registration now takes 2 to 3 months and includes setting up a local entity, due diligence, and platform integration.
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