Anjouan has become the offshore licence operators reach for when they want speed and low cost without the old Curaçao sublicence baggage. The headline appeal is exactly that: cheaper and faster than the alternatives. But “cheap and fast” hides a trade-off that shows up later in payments and credibility. Here is the operator-side cost picture, with the figures I work from.
The headline figure
A clean Anjouan application sits at around $25,000, including agent and regulator fees. The timeline is the real differentiator — 4 to 6 weeks, faster than any Tier-1 framework and meaningfully faster than Curaçao. Renewal is annual. The speed is the structural advantage: operators that need a licensed position quickly, to onboard payment providers or affiliates, use Anjouan as the first step.
What the cost covers
Anjouan’s appeal is a low, relatively all-in cost and a short timeline. Budget for:
- Application fees — ~$25k including agent and regulator fees.
- Setup and integration — getting payments and platform live against the licence.
- Annual costs — licence fees, regulator fees, and ongoing compliance are the lowest among credible offshore options; the corporate tax framework for licensed operators is favourable.
- The hidden cost — payment-provider rates, banking, and PSP availability for Anjouan operators are structurally weaker than for Curaçao operators, which are themselves weaker than Tier-1.
Cheap is a strategy, not a default
Anjouan makes sense for specific profiles — early-stage, cost-sensitive, or testing a model before committing capital — and less sense where payment breadth and credibility drive revenue. The framework is operationally lighter than Curaçao under LOK: faster application, lighter ongoing compliance, lower reputational ceiling. The direct comparison is in Anjouan vs Curaçao, and the cost contrast with the maturing LOK regime is in the Curaçao gaming licence cost breakdown.
Where it fits the launch budget
Licence cost is one line in the full launch budget. See how it sits against platform, payments, and marketing in the how to open an online casino in Anjouan guide and on the Anjouan licence page.
The honest answer
Whether Anjouan’s low cost is a bargain or a false economy depends entirely on your model. That is a licensing strategy question — get in touch and I will give you a straight read.
FAQ
How much does an Anjouan gaming licence cost?
A clean application runs around $25,000 including agent and regulator fees, with annual renewal, and a 4-6 week timeline. Total cost of ownership is the lowest among credible offshore licences — but budget for the narrower, more expensive payment-provider access the licence carries.
Is Anjouan cheaper than Curaçao?
Yes — roughly $25k versus around $45k to apply, and weeks rather than months. The trade-off is credibility and payment breadth, which is why the right choice depends on operator profile.