Licence by product · Casino
Online Casino Licence
Every online casino needs a licence before a game studio, payment provider or bank will touch it. Costs run from about €17,000 a year offshore (Anjouan, live in ~4 weeks) to six figures and several months for an EU licence like Malta — the right jurisdiction depends on your markets, banking and budget.
overview
What you actually need.
An online casino licence is the authorisation that lets you legally operate casino games — slots, table games, live dealer — take real-money deposits and pay winnings. Without one, game providers won't sign supply agreements, payment processors won't onboard you, and every serious B2B counterparty walks away at due diligence.
The practical question isn't whether to license — it's where. The market splits into three tiers: low-cost offshore regimes (Anjouan, KUNAISA, Tobique) where one licence covers every casino vertical and you're live in about a month; mid-tier regimes (Curaçao, Kahnawake) that cost more but carry stronger banking recognition; and tier-1 regimes (Malta, Isle of Man) for operators targeting regulated European markets who can absorb months of process and real substance requirements.
Most new casinos start offshore, prove the model, then add a tier-1 licence when specific markets demand it. That's the path we scope on the first call — including whether your game mix, payment plan and target GEOs change the answer.
your options
The routes that work.
Anjouan, KUNAISA or Tobique — lowest fees, ~1 month, no local office, 0% gaming tax, crypto-friendly. The default first licence for a new casino brand.
Curaçao's reformed CGA licence or Kahnawake — costlier and slower, but the names PSPs and banks know best in the offshore world.
Malta MGA or Isle of Man — months of process, real substance, real capital. Buys access to regulated EU traffic and top-shelf banking.
head to head
Casino licence routes compared
| Route | First-year cost | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anjouan | from €17,828/yr | 4–8 weeks | Lowest all-in cost, full vertical coverage |
| KUNAISA | €19,500/yr (incl. 2 domains) | ~4 weeks | Fastest launch, 2 domains included |
| Tobique | €36,000 first year | 4–6 weeks | Crypto-first casinos, fresh regime |
| Kahnawake | ≈$50–75k initial all-in | 8–16 weeks | Reputation on a budget, 0% tax |
| Curaçao (CGA) | €47,450/yr + ≈€4,592 app | 3–6 months | Strongest offshore banking recognition |
| Malta (MGA) | €25,000/yr fixed + 5% Malta-player tax | 4–6 months | Regulated EU markets, tier-1 status |
requirements
Eligibility & docs.
step by step
From product to licence.
- Scope callYour casino, target markets, payment mix and budget — we shortlist the licence routes that actually fit and give you an all-in number.Day 1
- Company & structureWe set up the licensed entity where the regulator wants it and the operating structure around it — cleanly, so banking doesn't choke later.Week 1–2
- File & evidenceKYC on owners, business plan, AML/RG policies, game-supply and RNG evidence — we assemble the full file and handle every regulator query.Week 2–4
- Licence & railsLicence issued; merchant accounts, PSPs and crypto rails plugged in around it. You launch, we stay on for renewals and compliance.From week 4
Want the shortlist for your exact product?
Tell us your product, target markets and payment mix — we'll confirm the route that gets you live fastest at the lowest all-in cost, with the number itemised.
costs
What it costs.
Figures are the regulator's own schedules, not our fee — we quote our service fee separately and itemised. Company setup, banking and certification are extra on every route; the calculator gives you the all-in number.
go deeper
Jurisdictions & related services.
FAQ
How much does an online casino licence cost?
The realistic floor is €17,828/yr (Anjouan) to €19,500/yr (KUNAISA) for a full casino licence, before company setup and banking. Mid-tier runs €35–75k first year (Tobique, Kahnawake, Curaçao); tier-1 (Malta, Isle of Man) starts around €30–40k/yr in fees but demands capital, substance and months of process.
How long does it take to get one?
About 4 weeks on the fastest route (KUNAISA), 4–8 weeks for Anjouan or Tobique, 3–6 months for Curaçao and 4–6 months for Malta. Document readiness — KYC and source-of-funds — is what actually moves the needle.
Can I run an online casino without a licence?
Not viably. Game studios, aggregators and payment providers all require a licence at onboarding, and operating unlicensed exposes you personally in most jurisdictions. The cheapest legitimate licence costs less than one month of a mid-size casino's processing fees — there's no economic case for skipping it.
Which licence do game providers accept?
All the routes on this page are accepted by mainstream studios and aggregators. Some premium studios restrict specific markets or require tier-1 licences for specific content — we check your intended game mix against the licence before you commit.
Does one licence cover slots, live dealer and poker together?
Offshore, yes — Anjouan, KUNAISA, Tobique, Kahnawake and Curaçao all bundle casino verticals under one authorisation. Tier-1 regimes split by game type (Malta licenses by game class), which we structure for you if you go that route.
other products
Licensing a different product?
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. This page is general information, not legal advice. Fee schedules and timelines mirror our jurisdiction pages and change when regulators change them.
Free consultation
Start your licence file.
Tell us the product — we'll map the licence, banking and structure that gets it live. Free, confidential, no obligation — most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.