Gibraltar just made some historical changes that might affect the crypto casino landscape…
Although not iGaming related specifically, one of the changes is the entry of the jurisdiction into Schengen. In a nutshell, a significant political agreement was reached in summer 2025 between the UK, the EU, Spain, and Gibraltar, which alters Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU without altering its constitutional status.
Gibraltar is one of the most respected licensing jurisdictions in the global online gambling industry. Home to major brands that you recognize from the high street, the British Overseas Territory has built a reputation on strict standards, strong compliance, and close ties to the UK Gambling Commission. But that prestige comes at a price… especially for crypto casinos in 2025.
2 Casino Sites with Gibraltar License in July 2026
Latest test from Sweden in April 2025. Supports BTC, ETH and USDT deposits.
Tested from Sweden in March 2025. No KYC required at signup.
Facts & History: What’s Important to Know
Gibraltar passed its Gambling Act in 2005, formalizing what had already become a major online betting hub. Long before that, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Gibraltar began offering licenses to remote betting and gaming companies, and quickly attracted some of the biggest names in European online gambling.
Part of its appeal was political: as a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar was able to offer favorable tax rates and strong legal protections under UK-style common law, while still maintaining regulatory independence. This made it especially appealing to sportsbook and casino brands looking to operate across the UK and EU.
Crypto heaven or hell?
Today, Gibraltar is considered a gold-standard jurisdiction, and is a white-listed territory for UKGC purposes. But it’s not crypto-friendly in the way Anjouan, Curacao, or even Malta (via payment processors) can be. The government only grants licenses to a small handful of large, reputable businesses. Typically, those with an existing record of compliance elsewhere and the infrastructure to run a safe, KYC-compliant operation. For crypto casinos, we’re yet to see one licensed in Gibralar by the GGC. The one in the list above (Bitfiring) claims to be licensed there, but checks reveal it to be a false claim.
How does it work?
The Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (GGC) isn’t issuing licenses to just anyone. You’ll need to be an experienced operator with a rock-solid business plan, audited financials, strong banking relationships, a full compliance team, and a serious commitment to responsible gambling.
Crypto alone doesn’t disqualify you, but if your brand is focused on anonymous sign ups, no-KYC withdrawals, or unregulated markets, your chances of being approved are extremely slim. Or basically zero.
Notably, There’s no public license application form like in Anjouan or Curacao. The process starts with discussions and informal vetting by the Gibraltar government. If they’re not interested, it ends there.
Which brings is nicely to…
Comparison to Anjouan and Curacao
Think of Gibraltar as being a bit like an elite private school. It has (among) the best facilities, the highest standards, and tons of recognition among regulators and banks… but good luck getting accepted. It’s like Hogwarts but for gambling! When it comes to Anjouan, let’s be honest, the opposite is true in some regards. As long as you can pay, you’ll almost certainly get a license. Even if you don’t have KYC protocols in place.
If you want an anonymous casino (see all) but also want at least a semblance of a license then Anjouan casinos are definitely your best bet. Curacao sits somewhere in between.
Compared to Curacao, Malta, or Kahnawake, Gibraltar is far stricter in every area: AML rules, responsible gambling mandates, financial audits, software fairness testing, and cross-border compliance. But it also brings major benefits like better access to fiat banking, and direct regulatory credibility in the UK and beyond.
How much does it cost to get?
Gibraltar is one of the most expensive and tightly regulated jurisdictions in the iGaming world. Licensing and application fees alone typically start at around £100,000 for a B2C license, and that’s just the beginning. Operators are also subject to an annual gaming duty of 1% on gross profits, capped at £425,000 per year, which adds up quickly for any successful casino.
But the real cost comes with meeting the jurisdiction’s strict regulatory and operational requirements. This includes maintaining a full-time presence in Gibraltar, securing office space, appointing local directors, and building out a full compliance team. It’s serious stuff.
In practical terms, it’s not unusual for total startup costs to climb north of £500,000 and in many cases, even sailing well past the £1 million mark depending on the complexity and ambitions of the operation. Because of this, Gibraltar typically attracts large, well-established operators. These include publicly traded companies or private firms with extensive compliance experience and some serious financial firepower. If you’re aiming to launch a lightweight, fast-moving crypto casino, Gibraltar probably isn’t the right fit.
Learn how to start a crypto casino here.
Comparison to other Euro licenses
Although there’s a 1% gaming duty fee, this is pocket change compared to the other regulated jurisdictions imposing significantly higher taxes. For example, the UK taxes operators at 21% of Gross Gaming Yield (GGY), with no upper limit. Germany’s system is even more aggressive, charging 5.3% on stakes for online slots and poker, which often translates to an effective tax rate of 50%+ on gross revenue. Denmark demands 28% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), while Italy sits at 25%. Even more moderate jurisdictions like Sweden or Spain still require 18–20% of GGR.
Official Pages
You can see the official page for the commision here: https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/finance-gaming-and-regulations/remote-gambling
And check the license register on the same page under ‘General’ in the contents.
Pros
+ One of the most trusted gambling licenses in the world
+ Strong reputation with affiliates, banks, and regulators
+ Direct credibility with the UK and EU markets
+ White-listed jurisdiction for compliance-sensitive countries
+ Low gaming duty (1% of gross profits, capped) – minor compared to high-tax jurisdictions.
Cons
– Very high barriers to entry: few licenses granted per year
– Startup costs can exceed £500,000+
– Full KYC/AML and responsible gambling compliance is mandatory
– Not friendly to anonymous or no-KYC crypto casinos
– Very slow application process, sometimes taking 6–12 months
How to Verify a Gibraltar Casino?
The Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner keeps a public list of approved licensees. You can visit their official site and verify whether a casino truly holds a valid Gibraltar license. Legit operators will usually display their license number and link directly to the GGC or the Ministry of Finance page. Any site that simply lists ‘Licensed in Gibraltar’ with no verification info should be treated with caution. You can see more about those pages a bit further up in this guide.
Are Gibraltar Casinos Worth Trying?
Of course they are, but the problem you’ll find if you’re a fan of Crypto Lists is that crypto casinos are hard to come by. For a small number of large, compliant crypto operations? Maybe in future, as MiCA and the UK’s forthcoming version of that provide more clarity and regulation to the space. For a broader scope of all different types of bitcoin casinos it’s best to check our complete toplist.
FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions about the Gibraltar jurisdiction.
Does Gibraltar allow crypto casinos?
Not explicitly, but they don’t ban them either. The GGC focuses on whether your platform meets its high standards. If your crypto model supports full KYC/AML and responsible gaming, you may be considered.
Is Gibraltar better than Malta?
In terms of prestige and regulatory strength, yes. But Malta is more accessible and has more crypto-friendly policies. Gibraltar is stricter and slower but more respected by banks and B2B partners.
How long does it take to get a Gibraltar license?
Typically 6–12 months, and that’s if you’re even approved for consideration. The government only issues a few licenses per year.
