How to Obtain an Anjouan Gambling License: Step-by-Step Guide

Quick Answer 

To obtain an Anjouan gambling license, you apply through Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI), the official license administrator under the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA). The process has six stages: choose your license type, gather KYC and corporate documents, prepare a technical and compliance dossier, submit the application with the ~€17,828 fee, complete a 2–4 week regulatory review, and receive your certificate. Most complete applications go from document collection to an issued license in 2 to 6 weeks, with total first-year cost typically running €18,000–€30,000.

To obtain an Anjouan gambling license, you apply through Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI), the official license administrator under the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA). The process has six stages: choose your license type, gather KYC and corporate documents, prepare a technical and compliance dossier, submit the application with the ~€17,000 fee, complete a 2–4 week regulatory review, and receive your certificate. Most complete applications go from document collection to an issued license in 2 to 6 weeks, with total first-year cost typically running €18,000–€30,000.

The 6-Step Process to Obtain an Anjouan Gambling License

The process is structured and predictable when the documentation package is complete. ALSI’s decision is the shortest part — the file preparation is the schedule. Here is how we guide clients through every stage.

1

WEEK 1

Choose Your License Type and Corporate Structure

Decide whether you need a B2C license (operating an online casino, sportsbook, or poker room directly to players), a B2B license (supplying software, platform, or payment services to licensed operators), or a hybrid scope covering both. Then decide your corporate route: incorporate a new Anjouan entity, or use an existing foreign company represented by an authorized local agent — both are accepted, and neither requires a resident director or staffed local office.

2

WEEKS 1-2

Gather KYC and Corporate Documents

For every director, shareholder, and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO), collect: a certified passport copy, proof of residential address (issued within 90 days), a police clearance certificate, a signed CV, a banker’s reference letter (2+ year relationship), a professional reference letter from a lawyer or accountant (2+ year relationship), and a source-of-funds declaration. For the applicant company itself, gather the certificate of incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association, and a shareholder/director register dated within 3 months. All documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations, and certified in ink — electronic signatures aren’t accepted.

3

WEEKS 1-2 (PARALLEL)

Prepare the Technical and Compliance Dossier

Draft a business plan with 3-year financial projections, assemble your gaming content details including RNG testing certificates, gather proof of domain ownership, and write your Terms & Conditions covering underage protection, responsible gaming, and player KYC. Build an AML/CFT policy and risk-based KYC procedures, plus a technical dossier documenting your hosting architecture — Anjouan requires primary gaming servers, or a real-time mirrored environment, to host player data on the island.

4

1-3 DAYS

Submit the Application Through ALSI

File the complete application and all supporting documents with Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI), which has administered Anjouan license applications since May 2023. Pay the application fee — approximately €17,828, plus €1,700–3,700 in initial due diligence and compliance fees. If you’re a B2B supplier, confirm at this stage whether you also need the separate B2B Recognition Certificate (€9,500/year), mandatory since July 2025.

5

2-4 WEEKS

Complete Regulatory Review and Due Diligence

AOFA and ALSI conduct KYC and background checks on every director, shareholder, and UBO, alongside a technical and policy review of your dossier. This is where applications stall: incomplete UBO paperwork and generic, templated AML/KYC policies are the two most common reasons for follow-up requests. Responding to clarification requests within a day or two, rather than a week, is the single biggest lever you have over your own timeline.

6

~1 WEEK AFTER APPROVAL

Receive Your Certificate and Launch

Once approved, ALSI issues your license certificate and endorses your domains — up to 2 are included by default, with additional domains available at €500/year each. You can begin operating immediately. From here, the license is valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually for €17,828, alongside ongoing AML/KYC, geo-blocking, and reporting obligations.

Fastest path: applications with complete, correctly certified documentation on first submission typically clear in 3–4 weeks total. The bottleneck is almost never ALSI’s review time — it’s incomplete UBO files and generic compliance policies that trigger a second round of requests.

Documents Checklist at a Glance

CategoryWhat’s Required
Personal (per director/shareholder/UBO)Certified passport, proof of address, police clearance, CV, banker’s reference, professional reference, source of funds declaration
CorporateCertificate of incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association, shareholder/director register, Certificate of Good Standing (if foreign entity)
TechnicalBusiness plan with 3-year projections, RNG certification, domain ownership proof, hosting/server architecture
ComplianceAML/CFT policy, KYC procedures, responsible gaming policy, Terms & Conditions

Documents Checklist at a Glance

ItemCost
License application fee~€17,828
Initial due diligence & compliance€1,700–3,700
Annual Compliance Officer fee€2,000/year
B2B Recognition Certificate (if applicable)€9,500/year
Typical total to obtain the license€18,000–€30,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to obtain an Anjouan gambling license?

Most complete applications are approved in 2 to 6 weeks. ALSI allows up to 2 months officially, but well-prepared applications with complete documentation typically clear faster.

How much does an Anjouan gambling license cost?

The government license fee is approximately €17,828. Including due diligence, compliance officer fees, and company formation, total first-year cost typically runs €18,000 to €30,000. Annual renewal costs €17,828.

Who do you apply to for an Anjouan gambling license?

Applications are submitted through Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI), the official license administrator, under the oversight of the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA).

What documents are required to apply?

Certified passports, proof of address, police clearance, CVs, banker’s and professional references, and source-of-funds declarations for all directors, shareholders and UBOs, plus corporate documents, a business plan, technical dossier, and AML/KYC and responsible gaming policies.sentative.

Can I obtain an Anjouan license without a local office?

Yes. No staffed local office or resident director is required — only a registered legal address in Anjouan and a designated local representative.

Do B2B suppliers need a separate certificate?

Yes, since July 2025. Any B2B provider working with an Anjouan-licensed operator must hold a full B2B license or an approved B2B Recognition Certificate, costing €9,500/year.

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