What Players Should Know About Anjouan-Licensed Online Casinos

You’ve likely noticed that many online casinos now display an Anjouan gambling license. Anjouan-licensed online casinos are not new, but the license’s popularity has risen dramatically over the last couple of years.
Today, we are going to take a look at the licensing process in Anjouan, how it compares to other major online regulators, and the pros and cons of holding an Anjouan gambling license. Our intention is to educate you about the license so you can make an informed decision about whether to play at Anjouan casinos.
What is an Anjouan Gambling License?
Anjouan is an island off Africa’s east coast and part of the Union of the Comoros. To diversify its economy, the Anjouan government launched its gambling industry. The Anjouan Licensing Services Inc (ALSI) currently grants licenses for the Anjouan Gaming Board.
Due to recent changes in the online regulatory industry over the last couple of years, an Anjouan license has become more attractive to offshore online casinos. It has quickly become the alternative to the Curaçao license, now that the Curaçao Gambling Control Board has strengthened its policies.
An Anjouan gambling license enables online casinos to register and operate under the island’s jurisdiction. The process is streamlined, offering lower costs and fewer barriers than other regulators. This simplicity attracts startups, as licensing can be secured in under three months, about half the time required elsewhere.
An Anjouan license gives the holder the right to offer a wide variety of online gambling services. Licensees can offer online casino services, sports betting, online poker, bingo, crash games, prediction markets, and more. The license also allows cryptocurrency-based gambling.
How Anjouan Licensing Compares to Other Jurisdictions
When compared to other online regulators, Anjouan would be considered a medium-tier regulator. Many would compare it to Curaçao licensing before the country revamped its regulatory structure at the end of 2024.
Upper-tier regulators like the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission enforce strict player protections, including comprehensive responsible gambling policies and ongoing regulatory audits. The Curaçao Gaming Authority has recently overhauled its policies, bringing them more in line with top regulators.
U.S. state regulators like the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement are considered elite regulators and are the gold standard for online regulation, with intensive enforcement and a level of legal accountability unmatched by most other online regulators.
An Anjouan license is widely considered a replacement for the old Curaçao regime. Its low cost of entry, coupled with largely hands-off regulation and no taxes, makes it attractive to startups and those looking to avoid the strict policies of more established organizations.
Are Anjouan Licensed Casinos Legitimate?
An Anjouan casino license only confirms that a casino is licensed. It does not indicate whether the casino operates legitimately. The legitimacy of each casino will depend on how each operator manages its platform.
Many Anjouan casinos operate legitimately, meaning they offer reliable payment processing, follow KYC procedures, and partner with top-tier online software providers. However, the regulator is primarily hands-off when it comes to dispute regulation. If you have a problem with an operator, they typically handle it in-house, with the regulator only getting involved if there is a perceived breach in the licensing terms.
As such, we suggest you do some research on any casino before signing up. We actively track online casinos, and you can often spot negative patterns of behavior from player feedback.
Pros of Playing at Anjouan-Licensed Online Casinos
There are some clear advantages to holding an Anjouan license. These include:
✅ Faster Onboarding – Companies can be licensed in around 3 months, with some in as little as 1.5 months, which means new casinos are always popping up.
✅ Crypto-Friendly – Licensees can take advantage of crypto payments and even offer crypto gambling.
✅ Flexible Bonus Structures – Licensees can offer more flexible bonus structures than in highly regulated markets, such as the UKGC.
✅ Provider Flexibility – Operators can offer a wider array of gaming providers, including those you don’t see with other providers.
The flexibility offered by an Anjouan license is one reason it has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years.
Cons and Risks to Be Aware Of
Many of the risks associated with playing at an Anjouan casino stem from limited regulatory interference.
❌ Many Casinos Are New – Many companies holding an Anjouan license are new, which can make it challenging to determine whether they are legitimate.
❌ Lower International Prestige – Some banks may not work with Anjouan casinos as they are lesser-known than other regulators.
❌ Limited Regulatory Enforcement – If disputes arise between players and casinos, the regulator is generally hands-off.
❌ Reliance on Operator Ethics – Due to limited regulatory oversight, players must rely on the operator’s policies and ethics.
How to Evaluate an Anjouan-Licensed Casino Safely
Before signing up at an Anjouan casino, there are several steps you should take to protect yourself. These include:
- Verifying the license via the Anjouan License Register
- Researching the casino’s reputation and payment history
- Contacting customer service and testing responsiveness
- Checking for independent game certification and testing to verify game fairness
Pro Tip – When researching casinos, avoid putting too much stock in positive reviews on sites like Trustpilot, as many casinos encourage players to post them. Pay closer attention to 1- to 3-star reviews to learn more about potential issues.
For more tips, check out how to spot safe online casinos.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Consider Anjouan-Licensed Casinos
Anjouan-licensed online casinos are typically best for those looking for easy accessibility. For example, international players may prefer an Anjouan casino because it is likely to accept players from a wide variety of countries. Additionally, they may have favorable payment options, including cryptocurrency.
For players seeking generous bonuses or favorable promotions, Anjouan casinos are a good option. Many top regulators are either heavily regulating or outright prohibiting most promotional schemes. Anjouan’s hands-off approach gives casinos greater flexibility for promotions.
Adversely, if you’re looking for a casino offering strong regulatory policies, Anjouan casinos are not going to be ideal. Also, they are not a good option for US players, as Anjouan casinos generally prohibit Americans from accessing them.
Anjouan Licenses Are Legitimate, But Always Do Your Research
An Anjouan gambling license offers a lower-cost, expedited path to licensing compared to other, more established regulators. While the license is legitimate, the regulator largely takes a hands-off approach to enforcement, requiring operators to step up and act honestly and fairly with players.
The good news is that there are Anjouan-licensed online casinos that are safe and legitimate, but you must do your research before signing up. If you would prefer greater peace of mind, you should research casinos licensed by Curaçao, Malta, or the UKGC. No matter what license a casino holds, always do your research beforehand so you can make an informed decision about where to play.