Behind the surge: Why 1,300+ iGaming operators trust Anjouan

In this article, iGaming industry consultant Ron Mendelson, Fast Offshore, explores the factors behind Anjouan’s rapid rise as one of the fastest-growing licensing jurisdictions in iGaming, from low costs and fast approvals to regulatory flexibility and expanding market access.

Fast Offshore has been working in the iGaming sector for the best part of 30 years, and we have yet to see any licensing jurisdiction experience a surge in popularity as Anjouan has.

Fielding tens of inquiries daily, the majority in 2026, are for this small jurisdiction in the Comoros Islands, which, up until a few years ago, was barely known. But what is behind this increased popularity? Is it because of the general upward trajectory of the iGaming sector, or is it something more specific to Anjouan? Let’s find out.

Behind the numbers

Anjoan has had a licensing regime for several years, but it has not enjoyed much success or notoriety. Then, in 2023, the Anjouan authorities decided to overhaul the legal framework and bring the license into compliance, seeking to diversify funding sources rather than relying solely on tourism.

They looked at other jurisdictions, saw what operators were looking for, and sought to identify gaps in the current iGaming licensing market. The result was a lightweight, flexible, yet solid licensing framework that met the needs of players, operators, third parties, and regulators.

Since the licensing regime was overhauled in 2023, Anjouan has issued over 1,300 licenses, representing more than 2,000 active iGaming sites. The numbers keep growing, with more requests to start the application process pouring in each day.

Safe to say, the Anjouan authorities met their goal and have also started to revolutionize part of the corporate iGaming sector. 

Speedy setup

One of the biggest pain points in the early stages of setting up an iGaming company is that of time-to-revenue. Application processes can take up to a year, or even longer, meaning the company is unable to make any money during this time. Meanwhile, it is paying fees, compliance costs, hosting and tech-related overheads, and of course, some salaries.

But with Anjouan, this pain point is significantly reduced. The Anjouan license is currently the quickest to obtain on the market, with issuance taking just a few weeks after all documents are submitted. This means you can be profitable more quickly, waiting just weeks instead of months to launch your site and start bringing in revenue.

It also allows operators to leverage new trends and markets more quickly and more agilely, going live sooner and beating competitors out of the gate.

Startup prices

Along with the quick setup times, Anjouan benefits from the lowest cost application and setup costs in the iGaming sector. While the exact cost will vary depending on your needs and business model, it will be far below that of other jurisdictions, from Nevis and Malta all the way to Curacao and Kahnawake.

Anjouan’s entire cost structure, from the application fee to annual renewal, all compliance packages and more, means it delivers a savvy return on investment with less risk than in more expensive and slower jurisdictions. But operators also get bang for their buck as the Anjouan license is recognized, legitimate, and is a great starting point, or springboard for operators of all sizes.

Regulation that works

Anjouan is not a tier-1 jurisdiction like Nevis or Malta, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a proper, regulated jurisdiction. Under the Anjouan licensing regime, operators are bound to consider matters such as player-fund segregation, RNG certification, AML/KYC automation, responsible gaming tools, dispute resolution mechanisms, and more.

It is also necessary to undergo regular audits and checks, display all policies on the website, and comply with licensing regulations at all times. Failure to do so can result in the suspension or revocation of the license.

Anjouan strikes a great balance between hands-off regulation and regulation that instills confidence in banks, payment processors and players. The jurisdiction is also compliant with global standards such as FATF, ISO, eCOGRA and other third-party audits and rules.

The numbers speak for themselves

1300 licenses and over 2000 sites are significant achievements, and this number continues to grow. As Anjouan offers unparalleled access to Latin America, Africa and Asia- all areas of extremely high iGaming growth- the number is expected to rise.

This, combined with an increasingly competitive iGaming landscape, where more operators are looking to go live and capitalize on booming growth, means that Anjouan is likely to continue to flourish.

Furthermore, Anjouan’s openness to the crypto and blockchain gambling sector, along with the single license covering all verticals, makes it of great interest to those seeking flexibility and scalability in their operations.

The last word

The Anjouan license has undergone a complete renaissance in recent years, and the results speak for themselves. With over 1300 (and counting) operators supporting Anjouan and trusting the authorities with their licensing needs, this is a clear vote of confidence.

If you want to start an iGaming company and are looking for your first license before you move on elsewhere, or you just want a no-frills, reputable license to support your growth, Anjouan is the answer.

To find out more about the process, to get answers to your questions, or to start the process, just contact Fast Offshore. We have some three decades of experience in iGaming and are ready to assist you every step of the way.