Gaming License in Anjouan

An Anjouan gambling license provides many benefits for operators in the industry:

Tax benefits
One significant advantage is the favorable tax conditions for online gambling operators, as they do not have to pay taxes on gross gambling revenue.

The fast license issuance process
The license issuance process in Anjouan can be faster compared to some other jurisdictions, which is an advantage for operators looking to launch their gambling platforms quickly.

Minimal regulatory requirements
Anjouan has fewer regulatory requirements compared to more stringent licensing authorities. This can make regulatory compliance easier for operators.

One type of license that covers all types of online gambling
The Anjouan online gambling license covers all iGaming activities in one document. It includes game providers, software developers, operators, and different types of games such as sports betting, online casinos, bingo, online poker, cybersports, live games, scratch cards, and gambling. This approach provides flexibility for gaming companies that may be interested in expanding their business in the future.

Government support and responsiveness
The government of Anjouan has shown a willingness to support the needs of the gaming industry. There is a focus on responding quickly to the needs of gaming businesses, encouraging innovation, and improving infrastructure. In doing so, licensees in Anjouan have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the regulatory environment. This approach creates a favorable environment for operators.

Infrastructure support
Infrastructure in Anjouan provides various services such as cloud services, private server racks, dedicated server management services, and other gaming-related hosting services. This infrastructure support is essential for the smooth operation of online gambling platforms.

Global reach
Anjuan’s gambling license allows operators to serve a global audience.

To obtain a gambling license in Anjouan, you must pass a thorough background check. The purpose of the check is to ensure that the applicant is a reliable and trustworthy person.

The background check is conducted on the founder of the company, all officers, authorized persons, shareholders, directors, and beneficial owners of the company.

The following documents must be submitted to pass the verification:

• a copy of a valid passport (photo and signature pages);
• proof of residence address;
• a certificate of no criminal record;
• CV;
• original banker’s certificate (the relationship should last more than 2 years);
• original professional reference letter from an accountant or lawyer;
• detailed information about the Content, including copies of agreements and/or RNG testing certificates from third parties and RTP (if any);
• proof of domain ownership;
• copies of the Terms and Conditions, which must contain the Underage Play Policy, Responsible Play Policy, and KYC Policy for players.

In addition, companies must provide a certificate of incorporation or incorporation, articles of incorporation, a list of major shareholders, and a certified copy of a Board of Directors resolution authorizing directors, officers, or employees to conduct business on behalf of the company.

The documents must be in English and have a date not older than 90 days. If the original documents are not in English, notarized translations into English must be provided.

If all documents are prepared correctly and the application is completed without errors, the process of obtaining a license in Anjouan can take as little as three weeks. This is much faster than in other jurisdictions where the application process can take several months or even years. This is because there is no unnecessary bureaucracy in Anjouan and the regulator is committed to simplifying procedures. This approach allows a new gambling company to start operating quickly or transfer an existing business.

The process of applying for gambling licensing in Anjouan involves several main steps:

1. Establishing an online betting or gambling company in Anjouan.

2. Preparing the license application.

The registration procedure requires the submission to Anjouan Corporate Services Ltd and ABGB of a legally approved application form together with the required Know Your Customer (“KYC”) documents. The application form must be signed by the applicant’s manager and must include the following documents:

• completed license application form.
• the charter and other constituent documents of the applicant;
• a detailed description of the proposed gaming services;
• documents confirming the applicant’s trustworthiness;
• documents confirming the applicant’s compliance with anti-money laundering requirements;
• the applicant’s responsible gaming policy;
• the applicant’s fair play policy.

3. Applying and paying an application fee of $1,830.

4. Application Review.

The procedure includes a comprehensive background and financial verification of all persons involved in the application. The review period ranges from 1 to 3 months. If the application is approved, the regulatory agency will issue a license.

5. Payment of license fee.

Upon receipt of the license, the applicant must pay a license fee of $14,323.

After receiving the license and paying the license fee, the operator can start legal gaming activities.

The Anjouan gambling license is recognized and respected worldwide. It complies with all international requirements and is accepted by financial institutions in Europe, as well as various providers and suppliers of B2B gambling services and products.

Other features of the gambling license in this jurisdiction include:

• is issued for one year and renewed annually;
• the standard license includes two URLs, with additional URLs available for an additional fee;
• sublicensing is not allowed;
• there is a fit and proper test for all directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners;
• there are system and server requirements that must be met;
• AML, compliance, and operational policies must be developed and made available;
• there is only one type of gambling license in Anjouan, which covers all types of gambling;
• the license is available for B2C and B2B.

To renew an Anjouan gambling license, an application must be submitted to the Anjouan Gaming Commission (OFAA) at least 60 days before the expiration of the current license.

The application must be submitted in writing in English and must include the following documents:

• a completed license renewal application;
• a copy of the current gambling license;
• an updated business summary reflecting any changes that have occurred since the issuance of the current license;
• updated gambling-related policies and procedures, including AML policy, KYC policy, underage gambling policy, and fair play policy;
• proof of payment of the state license renewal fee;

OFAA will review the application and, if all requirements are met, renew the license for up to one year.

In April 2003, the Government of Anjouan decided to create an offshore sector. For this purpose, new legislation and regulations were drafted, which were adopted by the government in February 2005. The new laws have created an excellent offshore and financial sector that provides the right environment for economic development and foreign direct investment.

The offshore laws enacted provided for various offshore licenses that are issued by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA). According to the legislation, the Authority is in charge of licensing offshore international business companies (IBCs), insurance, brokerage, banking, and internet gambling operators. The only agent in Comoros recognized and authorized by AOFA to market all offshore companies and Anjouan licenses is Anjouan Corporate Services Ltd.

The Anjouan Betting and Gaming Act 2005 is the primary law governing Internet gambling in Anjouan. The law covers a wide range of gambling activities including casinos, sports betting, video games, lotteries, and bingo. The law provides strict licensing and ongoing compliance rules for Internet gambling operators, which include:

• anti-money laundering procedures;
• providing players with tools and resources to help them play responsibly;
• strict fair play rules.

Anjouan also complies with international gambling standards. This includes compliance with anti-money laundering measures such as Know Your Customer (KYC), responsible gambling policies, fair play processes, and other world-class regulations.

In 2015, the Anjouan Betting and Gaming Board (ABGB) was established, an independent body that reports directly to the Anjouan government and is a member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators.

ABGB is responsible for ensuring the safety, integrity, and regulation of gambling in Anjouan. ABGB is an extension of AOFA, so all companies authorized by ABGB must comply with AOFA’s financial regulations. However, AOFA does not restrict licensees in their choice of payment service providers for gaming and betting services – operators can manage their profits through any bank.

ABGB considers the following basic principles when issuing gambling licenses:

• morality – gambling operators must be of good character and trustworthy;
• financial capacity – they must have sufficient financial resources to conduct their business;
• ethical behavior.

These principles are assessed during the due diligence process, and failure to comply with at least one of them may result in the denial of a license.

ABGB is also on the lookout for potential gambling fraud cases. Such cases may include:

• tax evasion;
• money laundering;
• inadequate security standards.