09/10/25
The Nevis Online Gaming Bill, passed in April 2025, introduces a regulated licensing regime for online gaming on the island. Operators worldwide are now assessing their requirements, benefits, and comparative positioning. In this article, we outline the new statutory regime, compare it with other jurisdictions, and provide illustrative scenarios to examine its practical implications.
📜 What the change entails
The Nevis Online Gaming Bill 2025, adopted by the Nevis Island Assembly on 29 April 2025, creates the Nevis Online Gaming Authority (NOGA) as the dedicated regulator. Licenses will cover both B2C (consumer-facing) and B2B (business-to-business) operators, including casinos, sportsbooks, platform providers, and affiliates.
The regime imposes AML/KYC obligations aligned with FATF standards, consumer protection and responsible gaming requirements, and corporate governance duties for all beneficial owners and key personnel. Applicants must form a local corporate entity (typically a Nevis Business Corporation or IBC) and submit supporting documents such as audited financials, business plans, AML policies, and source-of-funds declarations.
Licenses are issued for one year and are renewable annually upon compliance review. Fees have been reported in industry sources, though precise schedules are found in regulations and may evolve. Operators are also obliged to restrict access from prohibited jurisdictions - such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and certain EU states - via IP-based blocking and compliance controls.
A notable feature is the prohibition of sublicensing, ensuring accountability remains with the license holder. Industry commentary also indicates allowance for up to two domains per license, offering some operational flexibility.
⚖️ Regulatory and market analysis
Nevis positions itself as a hybrid jurisdiction: combining relatively fast licensing processes and competitive costs with a framework that references international AML and consumer-protection standards. This places it in contrast with lighter offshore jurisdictions while attempting to rival more established regulators such as Malta or the Isle of Man.
By embedding FATF-compliant obligations, Nevis aims to strengthen confidence among payment service providers and banking partners. However, as the regime is new, regulatory consistency and enforcement remain untested. Operators must therefore weigh the benefits of cost efficiency and speed against reputational considerations and counterparties’ cautious approach to newer regimes.
From a strategic perspective, the regime could prove attractive for startups or mid-sized operators that find established European jurisdictions too costly or restrictive. Yet large operators with exposure to heavily regulated markets may prefer to observe NOGA’s enforcement record before committing.
💼 Practical implications and examples
A startup casino targeting Latin American or Asian markets might establish a Nevis IBC, prepare AML policies, audited accounts, and domain registration evidence, and submit a B2C license application. If approved, the operator must block access from restricted jurisdictions and file compliance reports.
Similarly, a B2B provider offering platform services could seek a Nevis license to supply international operators, provided it demonstrates technical competence, security, and governance controls. However, it must not delegate beyond the license scope, as sublicensing is prohibited.
Both B2C and B2B operators must remain prepared for regulatory audits and enforcement actions. While a public license register is expected to enhance transparency, full implementation of this and other supervisory mechanisms will evolve. Early adopters may benefit from first-mover visibility, but also carry higher uncertainty until the regulator establishes a consistent track record.
✅ Conclusion
The Nevis Online Gaming Bill 2025 marks a significant development in the Caribbean licensing landscape. By creating a statutory authority, aligning with international compliance standards, and offering competitive costs, Nevis positions itself as a credible contender in the iGaming sector.
We have outlined the regulatory structure, analysed its comparative strengths and challenges, and shown how operators may engage with this framework. The jurisdiction’s success will ultimately depend on regulatory enforcement, transparency, and international acceptance.
If you are considering a Nevis gaming license or wish to compare it with other jurisdictions, our team at NUR Legal can advise on strategic planning, licensing applications, and ongoing compliance.
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Emil Korpinen