Licence by product · Poker
Online Poker Licence
Poker's hard problem isn't the licence — it's liquidity. We license your room in about a month and structure it so joining a network or going standalone stays open.
overview
What you actually need.
An online poker room is licensed as a gaming operation — every offshore casino licence on our routes covers poker cash games, tournaments and sit&gos alongside the rest of the lobby. There's no separate poker permit offshore, and the certification load is light: poker is peer-to-peer, so the regulator's interest is your rake structure, player-fund segregation and collusion controls rather than RNG math on house games.
The decision that actually shapes a poker launch is network versus standalone. Joining a poker network (as a “skin”) buys instant liquidity — real tables, real traffic from day one — in exchange for revenue share and the network's rules; the network will require your licence at onboarding. Standalone keeps the economics but means you build liquidity yourself, which is a marketing problem, not a legal one.
We license the entity, structure player-fund handling the way networks and PSPs expect, and leave both doors open — most rooms start as a skin and consider standalone only at scale.
your options
The routes that work.
Anjouan or KUNAISA licence + network agreement — the fastest way to a poker room with real traffic. Live in about a month.
Same licence, your own platform and liquidity plan — full economics, full control, heavier marketing lift.
Most successful rooms cross-sell casino. One licence covers both — we structure the lobby mix from day one.
head to head
Poker licence routes compared
| Route | First-year cost | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anjouan | from €17,828/yr | 4–8 weeks | Cheapest poker-inclusive licence |
| KUNAISA | €19,500/yr (incl. 2 domains) | ~4 weeks | Fastest room launch |
| Tobique | €36,000 first year | 4–6 weeks | Crypto poker rooms |
| Kahnawake | ≈$50–75k initial all-in | 8–16 weeks | Poker heritage — hosted major rooms for two decades |
| Curaçao (CGA) | €47,450/yr + ≈€4,592 app | 3–6 months | Card processing at volume |
| Malta (MGA) | €25,000/yr fixed + 5% Malta-player tax | 4–6 months | EU-facing regulated poker |
requirements
Eligibility & docs.
step by step
From product to licence.
- Scope callYour poker room, 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, player-fund segregation and network agreements — 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.
Regulator schedules only; poker networks charge via revenue share rather than upfront fees. Our service fee is itemised separately — the calculator covers the licensing side all-in.
go deeper
Jurisdictions & related services.
FAQ
Is there a dedicated poker licence?
Offshore, no — poker is covered by the standard casino/gaming licence (Anjouan, KUNAISA, Tobique, Kahnawake, Curaçao all include it). Tier-1 regimes like Malta class poker as a game type within their framework — we structure that if you go EU-facing.
What does licensing a poker room cost?
From €17,828/yr (Anjouan) or €19,500/yr (KUNAISA). Kahnawake — poker's historic offshore home — runs ≈$50–75k initial all-in.
Do poker networks accept offshore licences?
Yes — the major networks onboard offshore-licensed skins routinely; the licence plus player-fund segregation is exactly what their compliance checks. We prepare the file so network onboarding is a formality.
How is player money handled?
Segregated from operating funds, in dedicated accounts, with documented flows — this is the single point regulators and networks care most about in poker. We set the account structure up as part of licensing.
Can I add casino games to a poker room later?
You won't need to “add” anything — the licence already covers casino verticals. Most rooms cross-sell slots within months because poker-only economics are thin; the structure we set up assumes it.
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.