Obtain an Offshore Gaming and Casino License: Key Aspects

An offshore gaming license provides several advantages, one of them being that it can be obtained following a simpler procedure compared to similar permitsgranted in onshore countries. Our consultants can advise on the most suitable jurisdictions where one can obtain an offshore gaming/casino license.

What is the purpose of an offshore gaming/casino license?

Holding an adequate license is necessary for the majority of business activities carried out in both onshore and offshore jurisdictions, in accordance with the stipulation of each national law. For those who operate in the gaming/gambling industry, it is necessary to obtain an offshore casino license. The requirement is given by the fact that it is mandatory to have a valid license.

Quick Facts
Incorporation obligations for a gaming/casino license business	In order to obtain an offshore gaming/casino license, investors must incorporate a company in the country of their choice, have a registered address and a bank account.
When is the license necessary?	The license is required for a variety of gaming/gambling activities, such as: bettings, poker, bingo, lotteries, games, gambling, casinos (for both online and offline activities).
Types of licenses	National and international licenses.
Types of products usually found in a casino	Poker tables, slot machines, baccarat tables, roulette wheels, cards and dice, roulette tables, chips, blackjack tables.
Surveillance	Investors who want to obtain an international gambling license for a brick-and-mortar casino must invest in surveillance equipment and security.
Why invest in an online casino?	An online casino is easier to manage and does not need a physical place for doing business. It can have simpler start-up requirements, but either way, a casino license will be required. Investors must also know that the online casino industry is the 2nd most attractive sub-sector, after online betting.
Why obtain an offshore gaming/casino license?	One of the main advatages of obtaining the license is that company owners can use the license in multiple jurisdictions, not only in one country. They can also have better pricing systems compared to onshore licenses and the processing of the application can take a shorter amount of time.
The duration of the licensing process	It can take less than 1 month to obtain the license, to around 6 months, depending on the jurisdiction.
Countries with low gaming license fees	Malta, the Isle of Man, Curacao, Montenegro, Antigua and Barbuda.
Lowest license application fee	Costa Rica, Curacao, Malta
Renewal fee applicable (yes/no)	Yes
Do online gaming/casino businesses need a merchant account?	Yes
Corporate tax payment obligations	Gaming/casino businesses may be exempt from paying the corporate tax in certain jurisdictions, while in others, they can be charged on their profits.
Are there any nationality restrictions?	In some countries, applicants may be rejected due to their nationality. Situations as such can appear in Malta, the Isle of Man, Curacao.
Services that our consultants can offer	The registration of an offshore company, the issuance of the license and ongoing services, such as accounting, employment, company administration, etc.

How can investors apply for an offshore gaming/casino license in 2026?

In general, in order to obtain an international casino license, investors will need to start the process of offshore company formation in the jurisdiction of their choice. Then, they need to set up a website that has the adequate characteristics for online betting and/or casino activities.

How should I select a jurisdiction for gaming/casino activities?

The decision to select a country can be influenced by many factors, some of which are the ones presented below:

the country’s international reputation as an offshore jurisdiction and as a destination for gaming, gambling and casino activities;
the costs associated with making an investment in this industry;
the duration of the licensing process and the costs and fees imposed by the local authorities;
the quality of services offered by payment providers (the ones that offer offshore merchant account services);
the market advantages granted by the gaming/casino license (in some countries, licensees can use their license in other jurisdictions or in the nearby jurisdictions).

What are the most attractive jurisdictions for gaming/casino operators in 2026?

At a global level, it is recommended to invest in this industry in locations such as:

Malta;
Curacao;
the Isle of Man;
Gibraltar;
the United Kingdom (UK);
Tobique (located in the Canadian province of New Brunswick);
Kahnawake (Canada);
Panama;
Anjouan.

Each of them has its own competitive advantages, some of which are presented in the table below:

Attractive Jurisdictions for Casino Operators
Malta	companies licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority benefit from high reputation (this is one of the most reputable licenses at a global level) and a recognised base for EU markets (although many EU states require their own national licence)
Curacao	a single license which is available for all types of online gaming activities
The Isle of Man	cryptocurrency can be used for gaming transactions (both industries benefit from a solid regulatory framework)
Gibraltar	a reputable licence; however, since Brexit it gives no access to EU markets, and serving UK players requires a UK Gambling Commission licence
The United Kingdom	a jurisdiction reputable at a global level, which has a large consumer market (more than 17 million players)
Tobique (Canada)	applicants do not have to be residents and the licensing process can be completed remotely
Kahnawake (Canada)	low licensing costs, one of the fastest licensing process and one of the oldest gaming/gambling regions
Panama	the online gaming industry has been regulated since 2002, therefore it provides a very stable legal environment
Anjouan	it offers many tax advantages (0% tax on VAT, profits and income)

What are some of the important facts on obtaining an offshore casino license?

In the list below, our consultants have gathered some highlights regarding the issuance of the licensein various places:

in some countries, the license can be issued in less than 1 month (this is often said of Costa Rica, which, however, does not issue a dedicated gaming licence – operators use a general data-processing permit);
in other places, such as Malta or Curacao, theminimum licensing processcan take around 5-6 months, and it can reach 12 months;
licenses can have different validity period, such as 5 years (Curacao, the Isle of Man) or 10 years (Malta);
in certain countries, the corporate income tax charged on the profits of the company is 0% (Anjouan, Costa Rica).

Why select Malta as a location for offshore gaming license?

Malta is one of the most attractive jurisdictions at a global level. It is an ideal market for those who are established in the EU/EEA countries. In the list below, our consultants present some of the most important matters concerning the Maltese gaming license:

there are 2 main types of gaming licenses – B2C and B2B;
for these 2 categories, applicants can select one of the 4 sub-types of licenses, divided by the types of games they will carry out;
once an applicant has obtained the license, the document is valid for a period of 10 years, which allows companies to plan on a long-term basis;
provided that a company has already obtained a gaming license in another EU/EEA country, it is no longer required to apply for a Maltese license – in this case, such companies must only obtain a Recognition Notice, thus easing the local registration formalities;
the minimum capital requirement starts at EUR 40,000, but it can reach EUR 100,000 depending on thetype of license the applicant needs;
it can take around 4 months to obtain the license.

What are the advantages of applying for a gaming license in Anjouan?

Anjouan is another popular destination for those who want to obtain an offshore gaming/casino license. Here, investors rely on a very solid legislative framework, regulated by the industry authority, the Anjouan Gaming Authority. Important aspects that should concern investors are:

the legislation in Anjouan regulates the same types of licenses as it is the case of Malta – B2B and B2C licenses;
for the issuance of a license, applicants must pay a processing fee of EUR 17,828, regardless of the type of license they need;
companies do not need to subscribe a minimum share capital in order to qualify for the license;
the license is valid for 1 year, at the end of which one can apply for a renewal;
the Anjouan Gaming Authority maintains a public register of all the gaming license holders, and interested parties can find out basic information on licensed businesses;
the document can be obtained in a period of minimum 1 month (the procedure can take up to 2 months).

Are there any activities that can’t be licensed?

Yes. While gaming and gambling include a variety of activities that are defined under the same definition worldwide, it is important to verify the rules and regulations of each jurisdiction, as certain activities can be excluded from the scope of the license, which means that companies can’t engage in the respective activities (for example, financial betting, which is prohibited in Tobique).

We invite investors to request more details from our team on how to obtain an international gambling license.