An Anjouan gaming license is a license that allowes you and I to legally run online gambling from Anjouan and serve many international markets (except restricted regions listed below). It’s overseen by the Gaming Board of Anjouan under the country’s betting and gaming law, and administered via Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI).
If you are researching Anjouan gaming license restricted countries or you just want to know what the Anjouan license is and also how it works, this my quick guide will help you out. I will keep it simple and I’ll flag the restricted nations / restricted regions operators usually block.
Quick take:
Anjouan (an autonomous island in the Union of the Comoros) issues online gambling licenses for B2C operators (casinos, sportsbooks, poker, lottery, bingo) and B2B suppliers. You must set up a local company, pass KYC/AML checks, and geo‑block restricted countries.
Key points:
- Who issues it? The Gaming Board of Anjouan, created by the 2005 Act; ALSI administers licensing.
- What can you offer? Internet gaming like casino, sports betting, lotteries, and bingo.
- B2C and B2B: There are licenses for operators and a recognition program for suppliers.
- Company requirement: Licenses are only issued to companies incorporated in Anjouan.
- Infrastructure flexibility: Multiple brands/domains, servers hosted anywhere, fixed annual fee.
- Public register: Licensed operators are listed in a public register to help players verify brands.
How the Anjouan gaming license works
- Set up an Anjouan company. The authority only licenses locally incorporated companies.
- Prepare KYC & due diligence. IDs, proof of address, bank reference, clean criminal record (“certificate of morality”), and corporate documents if applying via a company.
- Apply to the Gaming Board (via ALSI). The Board reviews owners, directors, and the business plan.
- Technical & compliance setup. Age/ID checks, responsible‑gaming controls, geo‑blocking of restricted nations, and payments meeting AML rules.
- Banking for player funds. The Act requires a dedicated bank account for player transactions and no cash deposits or withdrawals—only bank/ electronic methods.
- Go live and stay compliant. Keep domains/aliases updated with the regulator, maintain AML/KYC controls, and work only with recognized or licensed B2B providers (mandatory from July 1, 2025).
How long does it take? Service providers typically quote 6–8 weeks to ~3 months, depending on your readiness and due diligence. (Timings vary by case.)
The big topic: Anjouan gaming license restricted countries
Below is the common “blocked list” that Anjouan licensees are expected to geo‑block. Different advisors phrase it slightly differently, but you’ll notice strong overlap.
Core restricted nations (consistently listed by multiple providers):
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
- France
- Spain
- Germany
- Austria
- Australia
- Comoros (including Anjouan itself)
These appear widely in market overviews and legal briefings directed at new operators.
High‑risk / sanctions‑driven blocks:
- FATF “blacklist” (high‑risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action). At the time of writing, that list comprises Iran, North Korea, and Myanmar; operators typically treat these as restricted regions under AML rules.
Other locations often treated as restricted by some advisers or by payment partners:
- Belize, Statia (Sint Eustatius), St. Martin (Saint‑Martin/Sint Maarten)—these appear on some providers’ “do not target” lists alongside the core restricted nations above. (This is not universal but is common in practice.)
Important: The exact restricted countries list sits in your license conditions, AML policy, and contracts with PSPs/game suppliers. The regulator may also update guidance. Always confirm your final restricted regions with ALSI and your compliance counsel.
Where can you operate?
A good way to think about “available countries” is: everywhere you are not restricted by (a) the Anjouan license, (b) local gambling laws, and (c) your payment/game suppliers. In practice, Anjouan‑licensed operators often target parts of Latin America, Africa, and Asia‑Pacific (excluding the restricted nations above and any country that requires its own local license). Always do a country‑by‑country legal check before marketing or taking players.
Why these restricted regions exist
- Local law conflicts: Countries like the US, UK, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Australia run closed or highly regulated markets—operators generally need a local license there. An offshore license won’t cover those.
- Global AML rules: The FATF publishes high‑risk lists. To stay bankable and compliant, licensees block those restricted nations and sometimes additional “watched” markets depending on risk appetite.
Day‑to‑day obligations under an Anjouan license
- KYC and age checks for all players.
- Player funds protected: Keep player money in a bank account; no cash deposits/withdrawals; use bank or electronic rails.
- Fair play & complaint handling: Keep internal procedures to resolve disputes; the Board can set rules for disputes.
- Geo‑blocking: Enforce access blocks to restricted countries at IP, payment, and KYC levels. (This is both a license and AML expectation.)
- Use recognized B2B suppliers: Either Anjouan‑licensed or recognized via the new B2B certificate program (mandatory from July 1, 2025).
- Keep your domains up to date with the regulator and in the license register.
Pros and limits of an Anjouan license
Why startups like it
- Faster path to launch compared to many “big‑name” regimes.
- Flexible setup: Multiple brands, servers can be hosted globally.
Where you’ll still need to be careful
- Less recognition than top‑tier national licenses in some markets, so some payment processors or partners may ask for extra documentation.
- You must avoid restricted nations and follow every local law in the places you do target—being licensed offshore does not override national rules.
FAQ:
Is there a public list of Anjouan‑licensed casinos?
Yes—there’s a license register maintained by the authority so players and partners can verify operators.
Do I need a local company?
Yes. Licenses are issued only to companies incorporated in Anjouan.
How long does the process take?
Advisers commonly quote 6–8 weeks to 2–3 months, depending on due diligence and readiness.
Which games are covered?
Casino, sports betting, lotteries, bingo, and other internet gaming verticals—subject to your approval scope.
Copy‑and‑use checklist for compliance teams
- Company incorporated in Anjouan
- UBOs/directors KYC & police clearances prepared
- Player KYC, age checks, responsible gaming tools live
- Geo‑blocking active for restricted countries / restricted regions
- Bank account for player funds (no cash in/out) configured
- Domains/aliases recorded with the authority; license register checked
- B2B suppliers licensed in Anjouan or recognized under the new certificate program
- Country‑by‑country legal scan before marketing
Final word
An Anjouan license can be a practical, human‑sized route to launching an international iGaming brand—provided you respect restricted nations, build strong AML/KYC, and stay transparent with the regulator. Treat the restricted countries list as a living control: review it regularly, and when in doubt, don’t target the market.