The small island nation of Vanuatu, with a population of just over 200,000, is actively developing its foreign policy and is a member of the UN, Commonwealth of Nations, Caribbean and Pacific Rim countries, and has joined the International Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The state has also signed one treaty on avoiding double taxation with Sweden and 13 treaties on exchanging tax information.
This jurisdiction was one of the first to issue licenses in the 1990s. Since 2003, Vanuatu has allowed online gaming licenses.
Asia Pacific Totalisators Ltd received the first license to offer sports betting.
To optimize time, the Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA) was established to process online applications, while the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue regulates gambling (DCIR). The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) monitors the entire financial system of the Republic.
Vanuatu is a member of the International Association of Gambling Regulators (IAGR). This obliges the controlling government agencies to be strict about compliance checks when obtaining a Gaming License in Vanuatu and to monitor the following:
- Ensuring transparency in gaming.
- Compliance with all safety regulations in the operation of the gaming platform.
- Protection of users’ assets.
The Vanuatu Interactive Gambling License (VIGL) is recognized throughout the world and allows you to offer services in the B2C sector, such as online casinos, betting, and card games. In the future, the licensing process may expand for B2B.
Vanuatu is the best option for gambling startups looking for a jurisdiction with a good reputation and a favorable tax system.