Anjouan became very popular in 2023-24 due to low entry barriers and thanks to new and stricter regulation in Curacao, there has also been a massive inflow of crypto casinos seeking licensing there in 2025.
Last updated: June 2026
Important: Anjouan licensing can change quickly. Always verify the casino directly in the official license register before depositing.
It wasn’t always known as an ‘Anjouan license’ but initially as a Comoros license since Anjouan is one of four islands of the Union of the Comoros, a small island nation off the eastern coast of Africa. A bit of background is helpful, since the terms ‘Comoros license’ and ‘Anjouan license’ were often used interchangeably before Anjouan became the preferred industry term.
Recently, casino groups such as Nova Forge have lost their Anjouan license and in the beginning of 2026, over 100 casinos were de-listed from the otherwise rather relaxed jurisdiction. It seems like casino crack downs from both France and Australia against Anjouan might be the reasons behind the issues for some casino groups that lost their license recently. Still, casinos that remain licensed may now face greater scrutiny than before.
Let’s take a look at what it offers players, what it offers casinos, and how it differs from the Curacao license it’s most often directly compared to.
50 Casino Sites with Anjouan License in July 2026
Facts & Stats: What’s Important to Know?
Below you’ll find answers to many of the most common questions about Anjouan licensing and why operators continue choosing this jurisdiction.
Why Anjouan, why now?
Anjouan started issuing gambling licenses back in 2005, during a time when there was growing demand for cheap, lightly regulated options in the online gambling world. Initially, the license didn’t gain much credibility due to a lack of oversight and enforcement, which made it unpopular among more established operators. But around 2022–2023, as tighter regulations hit places like Curaçao and the UK, Anjouan began revamping its licensing framework to appeal to a new wave of operators. Especially crypto casinos looking for fast approvals, low fees, and minimal KYC requirements.
Over the past couple of years, this tiny island in the Comoros has become a surprising hotspot for new casinos, but especially so for those dealing in crypto. But of course it’s an offshore license, which means it’s not part of the EU or subject to European law, and that comes with some tradeoffs for operators (but more importantly, players) seeking strong regulations.
How does it compare to European gambling licenses?
When you stack Anjouan’s license up against something like a Maltese or UK Gambling Commission license, the difference is night and day. European regulators are strict for a reason. They enforce things like player protection rules, responsible gambling tools, game fairness audits, and strict anti-money laundering compliance. If you have a dispute with a casino under a European license, there’s a formal complaints process and someone to hold them accountable. But if you’re a crypto casino operator who wants to get licensed quickly (1-3 weeks) then it’s often preferable compared to the stricter licenses that can take as long as 6 months – and don’t accept crypto most of the time.
How much does it cost to get?
Costs are an important factor when choosing a licensing jurisdiction, particularly for new casino operators entering the market. According to GBO Licensing, obtaining an Anjouan gaming license can cost more than 20,000 USDT for the first year, with annual renewal fees somewhat lower depending on the structure and services included. Costs may vary between providers and over time.
However, the licence itself is only one part of the total investment. Operators also face expenses related to website development, game integration, legal services, compliance, payment processing, customer support, marketing and affiliate partnerships. Depending on the scale of the project, launch budgets can quickly grow well beyond the licensing fee alone.
For smaller operators using white-label solutions, startup costs can often remain relatively modest. More ambitious projects building custom platforms and acquiring premium content may require substantially larger budgets.
Compared with many other gambling jurisdictions, Anjouan is generally regarded as one of the more affordable options for crypto casino operators. By comparison, annual licensing costs in Curacao can be substantially higher. According to GBO Licensing’s Curacao pricing overview, yearly licensing costs may exceed 70,000 USD depending on the structure and services involved. This difference helps explain why many newer crypto casino brands continue to choose Anjouan as their preferred jurisdiction.
| Feature | Anjouan | Curacao |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Approval Speed | Often 1–3 weeks | Often several weeks to months |
| Estimated First-Year Cost | 20,000+ USDT* | 100,000+ EUR/USD* |
| Annual Regulator Fee | Usually lower than first-year cost* | Approx. 61,700 EUR regulator fee alone* |
| Other Setup Costs | Usually lower | Company setup, compliance, local representation and optional services can add substantially more |
| Crypto Casino Appeal | Very High | Very High |
| Player Protection | Limited | Generally stronger |
| KYC Flexibility | Often more flexible | Increasingly stricter |
| Reputation | Still developing | More established |
| Game Provider Acceptance | Can be more limited | Generally broader |
| Dispute Resolution | Limited | Better defined |
| Best Suited For | Startups and crypto-focused casinos | Larger operators and established brands |
*Costs are approximate and may vary depending on the provider, structure, regulator fees, company setup, compliance requirements and optional services included. GBO Licensing lists Curacao regulator fees at approximately 61,700 EUR annually, before several possible setup and service costs are added. Anjouan pricing is based on publicly available GBO Licensing information and may also change over time.
*Costs are approximate and may vary depending on the provider, structure and services included. Figures are based on publicly available information from GBO Licensing and may change over time.
Tips: See our guide where you can learn how to start a crypto casino here.
Should You Avoid Anjouan Casinos?
Not necessarily. Many well-known crypto casinos operate under an Anjouan license. However, players should evaluate each casino individually based on reputation, withdrawal history, ownership transparency, software providers and independent reviews rather than relying on the license alone.
Official Pages
You can find the official site with everything you’d like to know here: https://anjouangaming.com/
What are the Pros?
+ Quick and simple to get started – appeals to new casinos
+ Lower costs compared to Malta, Isle of Man, or Curacao
+ For operators, there’s much less paperwork to file
+ Many ‘no KYC crypto casinos‘ opt for an Anjouan license
Who Should Consider Anjouan Casinos?
Anjouan-licensed casinos are often most attractive to experienced cryptocurrency users who value fast registration, broad crypto support and fewer verification requirements. Players who prioritize strong regulatory oversight, formal dispute resolution procedures and extensive consumer protections may prefer casinos licensed by regulators such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission.
What are the Cons?
– Some regard it as the least reputable of the ‘big’ licenses
– Not as well known as its Curacao cousin
– No dispute resolution for players who feel short changed
– Some game developers and payment processors don’t look favorably on it
How do I check if a site is licensed?
The easiest way to verify a casino license is to look at the footer of the casino and see if there’s an Anjouan logo – if it’s not actually clickable then it’s likely fake and the casino is misleading its players. However, some operators don’t include the logo for some reason and don’t even mention that they’re licensed. In these cases it can be easy to assume they’re unlicensed – but this is often incorrect.
For a proper verification you can look in the register – searching by URL of the casino. Many of the sites you assume have no license are actually listed there alongside the name of the operator and their unique number beginnng with ‘ALSI’.
FAQ
Here are some questions you might have about the Anjouan license.
Is it credible?
The credibility of the Anjouan license is still debated. While it’s more recognized than in its early days, it is generally not regarded as being as reputable as MGA or UKGC licensing, though it does accept crypto casinos whereas those others mentioned only accept fiat sites. It’s also probably less reputable than a license from Curacao, its main competitor among crypto casino operators in search of a licensing solution.
What about KYC – do I need it?
While some KYC rules may apply, the Anjouan license is generally seen as more flexible than licenses from the UK, EU, or even Curacao. Many Anjouan casinos only ask for ID during large withdrawals or if suspicious activity is flagged. This often contrasts with the terms and conditions where KYC requirements are included ‘for show’.
Are Anjouan casinos trustworthy?
The license itself doesn’t offer the same level of player protection or dispute resolution as some more established ones (especially the UKGC and MGA), so it’s important to do your own research where possible when signing up. Independent research is always recommended before signing up. Players should place more weight on the casino’s own reputation, withdrawal history, ownership transparency and terms than on the Anjouan license alone.
But what happens if the site disappears?
Recovery options may be very limited. Unlike some major regulators, Anjouan does not provide the same level of player dispute resolution or compensation mechanisms. In practice, outcomes often depend on the operator’s willingness to resolve disputes voluntarily.
What’s the difference between Curacao and Anjouan?
Apart from geography, quite a lot! Thankfully we’ve written a helpful page where you can see some different casinos from both jurisdictions as well as a deep dive into the differences between the two.


















































