In this article, iGaming industry consultant Ron Mendelson, Fast Offshore, explores why Anjouan has emerged as an attractive licensing jurisdiction for startups and smaller operators, examining its costs, flexibility, application process and role as a potential stepping stone toward higher-tier markets.
For any entrepreneur hoping to enter the world of online gaming and gambling, choosing the right jurisdiction to get licensed in is crucial.
Since 2023, Anjouan has become the leading choice for startups, smaller operations, and those looking for unparalleled value and flexibility – with a stamp of regulatory approval. This once barely known jurisdiction has emerged as the practical first home for startups and operators seeking to go live quickly, control expenses, and validate their business model before committing to more expensive Tier-1 regimes.
The numbers and experience of hundreds of operators make the case clear. So why should you consider launching your iGaming business with an Anjouan license?
The backstory
Anjouan, one of the islands of the Comoros archipelago, underwent a complete regulatory overhaul in 2023. In a bid to diversify the economy and boost the credibility of its existing iGaming framework, authorities introduced streamlined processes, practical oversight, and a clear focus on supporting real businesses.
The results followed quickly, and since the modernized framework launched, Anjouan has grown into the fastest-growing licensing jurisdiction in the world, with more than 1,400 licenses holding over 3,000 live gambling sites worldwide.
What is driving Anjouan’s popularity?
Quick and value for money: Speed and cost sit at the center of the decision for most new operators, and the processing time in Anjouan typically runs 28-42 business days from complete application submission to license issuance. This means that operators can go live within two months with proper preparation and by partnering with Fast Offshore to ensure things go smoothly. Total first-year costs are lower than any other legitimate jurisdiction; renewals are equally low, and all additional costs and fees keep it below every competitor. There is also zero gaming tax on offshore revenue.
One license for all: A single Anjouan license covers all iGaming activity including casino, sports betting, poker, lotto, eSports, crypto games, provably fair games, and more. Operators need no add-on permits or second applications when expanding their offerings, adding payment methods, changing shareholders, or launching new verticals. In addition, the framework supports cryptocurrency payments alongside traditional methods under standard AML/KYC requirements.
Legitimate and credible: While Anjouan may not have the prestige of Tier-1 licenses or be as well known as some others, it has established itself as a legitimate and credible iGaming license. Payment processors recognize the jurisdiction, banking relationships can be established through established networks, and the regulatory framework carries enough credibility for B2B partnerships. This puts it head and shoulders above some other options which struggle to be taken seriously or to brush off concerns over compliance and high standards.
Startups face a strategic choice: spend six to twelve months and more than €100,000 pursuing a Malta or Isle of Man license, or launch in under two months with Anjouan and prove the model first.
But Anjouan works when target markets do not mandate Tier-1 licensing from day one, and the initial budget is low. It is not the right choice for operators targeting UK or EU players from day one. In those cases, Malta or Nevis remain strategic despite higher cost and longer timelines.
Many operators, however, start in Anjouan to prove the model and later expand to a higher-tier jurisdiction when ready. That staged approach is deliberate and common, and Fast Offshore can guide you through the entire process, answering all your questions along the way.
The application process
The application itself remains straightforward when handled correctly by professionals like Fast Offshore. The Anjouan authorities require verification of identity, business plans, source of funds, and good conduct for officers, shareholders, directors, and beneficial owners.
Personal documents include certified passport copies, proof of address, curriculum vitae, bank references, and professional references and must all be recent and in English. Business documents cover incorporation papers, content provider agreements, RNG testing certificates, domain ownership, and terms and conditions addressing underage gaming, responsible gaming, and player KYC.
Why partner with Fast Offshore?
Fast Offshore has worked directly with the Anjouan authorities since the new regime began and knows every detail of the process. We operate with a standard onboarding process that gathers the required information, supplies comprehensive document lists tailored to each client’s circumstances, reviews everything before filing, and handles submission. Fast Offshore assists with corporate structuring, documentation, compliance preparation, license verification, renewals, and ongoing regulatory obligations.
With some 30 years in the industry and experience across 17+ jurisdictions, Fast Offshore does not treat licensing as a one-size-fits-all exercise. Our team examines the specific product, target markets, and deadlines, then recommends the jurisdiction that actually fits. For most new operators, that recommendation is Anjouan as the fastest and most cost-effective path to a live, regulated operation. Once the business is running and generating data, the same team can support transitions to Nevis, Malta, or other regimes as commercial needs evolve.
For operators ready to launch without burning runway on bureaucracy, Anjouan is the logical first home. To find out more about the application process or the license in general, contact Fast Offshore today!