Antigua and Barbuda Gaming License

General Information

Antigua and Barbuda is a bi-island nation located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two large islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands. The islands are low-lying with some high volcanic areas. The government system is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.

Antigua and Barbuda is one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean due to its tourism industry and offshore financial services.

Antigua and Barbuda has political stability, modern telecommunication capabilities and a well-developed financial sector. They also maintain an attractive environment for international online gambling companies. Gambling licenses in Antigua and Barbuda are recognized by many countries around the world, so you will have a potentially large customer base once obtained.

Antigua Gaming License

The licensing and regulation of online gambling services in the islands of Antigua and Barbuda is handled by the Gaming Division of the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC). The regulatory framework for these companies is provided by the International Business Corporations Act (IBC) and the Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations (IGIWR).

Since the beginning of the last century, the island state has been engaged in the legalization of gambling. During this time, an effective system has been developed that has proven to be reliable. Antigua and Barbuda is an offshore zone, so a company registered here can enjoy all the advantages of a classic offshore, for example:

1. Favorable tax environment (If you run an international business, you don’t have to worry about taxes. You also don’t have to pay VAT, or other fees for gambling activities);
2. Ability to host servers outside the jurisdiction as long as the main server is hosted in the jurisdiction;
3. The ability for company owners and staff to be located outside the islands and represent themselves through nominee management;
4. Existence of international agreements with other offshore zones (e.g. Canavake). In 2010, Antigua and Barbuda entered into an agreement with Canavake allowing operators from one jurisdiction to conduct their business in the other. A company regulated by Antigua and Barbuda can operate in Kanawake and vice versa.

In Antigua, companies are allowed to choose between two types of licenses:

• Interactive Gaming (covers casino, poker, lottery, bingo, crypto-casino).
• Interactive Wagering (covers all types of sports betting including cyber sports, sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports)

Basic requirements to obtain an Antigua gambling license

• Need to provide details of your company including its legal name, structure, ownership and registered address. Provide documentation to prove your physical presence in the islands: local registered office, local director and main server in Antigua and Barbuda.
• Detailed Business Plan.
• Describe your responsible gaming policies and procedures, including measures to prevent underage play, self-exclusion programs, and problem gambling assistance. Demonstrate measures to safeguard gaming funds and protect data.
• Demonstrate anti-money laundering compliance by providing robust AML policies and procedures, including customer due diligence measures, monitoring systems and reporting mechanisms.
• Provide details of your gaming software.
• Undertake a technical assessment of your gaming software.
• Operators must also demonstrate capital availability. To do this, the company requires potential license holders to hold a significant financial reserve to protect players and their funds in case they need to withdraw. License holders must keep a sum of around $100,000 in the coffers of the regulator. Usually, the exact amount depends on the applicant and is decided after careful consideration by the commission. This amount serves as a security for the licensee’s players to ensure that it always meets its obligations to pay out prizes to players or in unforeseen circumstances such as bankruptcy, lengthy disputes or even emergencies such as license revocation.

Licensing Process

3 attachments must be submitted for initial evaluation of the application:

Attachment A – application for an Interactive Gaming license or Interactive Wagering license.

Appendix B – business entity information packet.

Attachment C – a personal information form to be fully completed by each key person, director, partner and CEO of the company, including each shareholder with a five percent (5%) or greater ownership or controlling interest in the company.

A non-refundable fee of $15,000 must be paid for the investigation, due diligence and evaluation of the applicant. If the costs and expenses incurred as a result of these investigations exceed $15,000, the applicant will be notified in writing that an additional non-refundable deposit will be required.

The average time to obtain a license is 3-6 months.

The term of a gaming license in Antigua and Barbuda is one year. It can be renewed at a later date.

Taxation

Gambling companies in Antigua and Barbuda enjoy a favorable tax regime. The country levies a 3% gross income tax on gambling companies, as well as royalties based on the company’s gross income. These tax rates are competitive with many other jurisdictions, making Antigua and Barbuda an attractive destination for gaming businesses seeking a tax efficient environment.

License Fees

Other important information

Antigua and Barbuda licenses are not recognized in the U.S.. In addition, residents of Antigua and Barbuda cannot play online.

Conclusion

The availability of a gambling license in Antigua and Barbuda has set this country apart as a leading destination for gambling companies looking for a robust regulatory environment and favorable business conditions.

With its robust licensing process, global recognition and supportive infrastructure, the island continues to play a key role in the development of the online gambling industry.