The most common mistake operators make when budgeting for an Anjouan gaming license is treating the official AGB fee as the total cost. It is not. The regulatory fee is only one line item in a budget that typically reaches €25,000–€45,000 in year one and €15,000–€25,000 annually thereafter. This article gives you every line item, with realistic figures — not marketing estimates.
The Official AGB Regulatory Fee
The Anjouan Gaming Board charges a minimum annual fee of €17,828 for a standard gaming license (B2C or B2B). This figure is published on the official AGB website (anjouangaming.org) and is the baseline for all license types.
The fee covers the regulatory function: application review, license issuance, and inclusion in the public registry. It does not cover company formation, registered agent services, compliance infrastructure, or banking. Operators who quote “Anjouan license from €10,000” are typically advertising introductory packages that exclude half of the real costs.
The license fee is paid annually. Late renewal triggers a grace period; if the license lapses, a fresh application is required rather than a simple reinstatement.
Company Formation and Registered Agent Costs
An Anjouan gaming license requires a legal entity — most commonly an Anjouan LLC or a Comoros IBC. Formation costs vary by provider but fall in a consistent range:
- Anjouan LLC formation: €1,500–€3,000 (one-time)
- Registered agent on Anjouan: €800–€1,500/year (mandatory; the AGB requires a local agent)
- Annual corporate filing and maintenance: €500–€1,000/year
If you are using a holding structure — for example, a UAE or Cyprus parent company owning the Anjouan entity — add corporate maintenance costs for each jurisdiction. This is common for operators who want a reputable corporate address for banking purposes while holding the license in Anjouan.
Technical Compliance and RNG Certification
The AGB requires that your gaming platform’s RNG (Random Number Generator) be certified by an accredited testing laboratory. Recognised labs include GLI (Gaming Laboratories International), BMM Testlabs, and iTech Labs. Costs vary by scope:
- RNG certification (new platform): €2,000–€8,000 depending on game count and lab
- Annual re-certification: €1,500–€4,000
- Live dealer technical audit (if applicable): €3,000–€6,000
If you are using a white-label platform or a certified aggregator, the platform provider’s certification may cover your games — confirm this in writing before your application, as it directly affects your compliance budget.
AML/KYC Compliance Infrastructure
The AGB requires applicants to submit a documented KYC/AML programme as part of the license application. Ongoing compliance costs depend on whether you handle this internally or through a third-party compliance officer.
- AML policy drafting (one-time setup): €500–€1,500
- Outsourced compliance officer (part-time, monthly retainer): €500–€2,000/month
- KYC verification software (e.g., Sumsub, Shufti Pro): €200–€800/month at launch volumes
- Annual AML programme review and update: €500–€1,500
An operator running a lean early-stage operation can manage AML costs at the lower end of these ranges. A mid-sized operation processing 500+ registrations per month will need more robust tooling.
Banking and Payment Processing Costs
This is the area where cost projections most frequently go wrong. Offshore gaming operators cannot simply walk into a European bank and open an account. Realistic options include:
- Specialist iGaming EMI (e.g., CENTI, ConnectPay, Unlimint): setup fee €500–€2,000, monthly fees €200–€600, transaction fees 1.5–3.5%
- Offshore acquiring bank: setup €1,000–€5,000, higher per-transaction rates (2.5–5%)
- Crypto payment gateway: setup €0–€500, transaction fees 0.5–1.5%
Budget at minimum €3,000–€8,000 for banking setup in year one, plus ongoing transaction costs. Operators who fail to budget for banking delays — which can add 4–12 weeks to operational launch — frequently miss their go-live targets.
Legal and Advisory Costs
Unless you are an experienced gaming attorney preparing your own documents, budget for external legal support:
- License application preparation (if outsourced): €2,000–€8,000 depending on complexity
- Gaming terms and conditions drafting: €1,000–€3,000
- Responsible gambling and privacy policy: €500–€1,500
- Ongoing legal retainer (optional but recommended): €500–€2,000/month
At Legarithm, we include document preparation, company formation, registered agent, and AGB submission coordination in a single package — the pricing is transparent and fixed, not hourly.
Year One vs. Ongoing Annual Cost Summary
| Cost Item | Year 1 | Year 2+ |
|---|---|---|
| AGB license fee | €17,828 | €17,828 |
| Company formation (one-time) | €2,000 | — |
| Registered agent | €1,200 | €1,200 |
| RNG certification | €4,000 | €2,500 |
| AML/KYC setup + software | €3,000 | €1,500 |
| Banking setup | €4,000 | €1,200 |
| Legal/documentation | €3,500 | €1,000 |
| Estimated total | €35,528 | €25,228 |
These are median estimates. A lean operator using a white-label platform can come in lower on technical compliance; a full-custom platform with live dealer will exceed these figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum cost to get an Anjouan gaming license? A: The absolute minimum — AGB fee only, company already formed, platform already certified — is €17,828 per year. In practice, a realistic first-year budget for a new operator is €25,000–€45,000, including all setup costs.
Q: Is the AGB fee paid upfront or in instalments? A: The AGB annual fee is typically paid in full at the time of application or renewal. There is no official instalment option from the AGB itself. Some licensing agents offer payment plans for their service fees separately.
Q: What happens if I don’t renew the license on time? A: The AGB allows a grace period for renewal. If the license is not renewed within that window, it lapses and the operator is removed from the public registry. Re-licensing requires a new application rather than a reinstatement, which means repeating the full process.
Q: Are there hidden fees not listed here? A: The figures above represent known, recurring costs. Additional costs can arise from regulatory changes, increased KYC tool usage as player volume grows, currency conversion on EUR-denominated fees, and any legal disputes or compliance inquiries. Budget a 10–15% contingency on total first-year estimates.
Q: How does Anjouan’s cost compare to other offshore gaming licenses? A: Anjouan at €17,828/year is comparable to Tobique (~$25,000/year) and Nevis (~$25,000/year). Curaçao runs from ANG 35,000 (~$19,000) in annual GCB fees but with higher compliance costs post-reform. Malta MGA starts at €25,000 application fee plus €25,000 annual compliance contribution — a different cost tier entirely.
Conclusion
The Anjouan gaming license is one of the most cost-effective regulatory options for offshore iGaming. But “cost-effective” does not mean “cheap.” A complete first-year budget — including licensing, company, compliance, technical certification, and banking — typically runs €25,000–€45,000. Plan for this number, not the €17,828 headline figure. Operators who plan accurately launch on time; those who underestimate costs run into operational delays and gaps in compliance infrastructure.
Ready to obtain your Anjouan gaming license? Legarithm manages the full process — from documentation to banking. Get a fixed-price quote
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulations change frequently — consult a qualified professional before making any decisions.
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