🌎 Curaçao, Nevis, and Anjouan: Best Gaming Jurisdictions

📜 Regulatory Frameworks

Curaçao (LOK 2024)

Curaçao, a longstanding hub since the 1990s, introduced sweeping reforms with the LOK in December 2024, ending the outdated master/sub-license model. The changes include:

Higher application fees and extended timelines (6+ months in some cases).

Stronger AML/KYC standards under the Curaçao Gaming Authority.

Greater local substance requirements (offices, compliance staff).

These measures aim to restore international credibility but increase barriers for startups.

Nevis (Nevis Online Gaming Bill 2025)

In April 2025, Nevis enacted its new framework, establishing the Nevis Online Gaming Authority (NOGA). Key features include:

A single Tier-1 license covering both B2B and B2C (casinos, sportsbooks, platforms).

Fully digital applications with 8–12 week processing (where complete).

Annual renewals, ensuring active regulatory oversight.

No corporate tax on offshore gaming revenues.

Nevis emphasizes CFATF-aligned AML/CFT compliance, and as of mid-2025, remains outside FATF “grey/black” lists, enhancing its credibility.

Anjouan (Comoros)

Anjouan, one of the islands of the Comoros, has quietly regained attention in 2024–2025 as an ultra-affordable licensing jurisdiction. Its regime features:

Low application fees and relatively simple documentation requirements.

Fast approval times (sometimes within 4–6 weeks).

Minimal local presence obligations.

A flat annual license fee structure, appealing to startups and small operators.

However, Anjouan’s regulatory credibility is weaker compared to Curaçao and Nevis. It has limited international recognition, inconsistent oversight, and greater risk of banking/payment rejection.

⚖️ Comparative Analysis

Curaçao: Offers legacy recognition and global reach but demands higher investment, compliance, and local infrastructure under LOK. Best suited for established operators willing to adapt to stricter standards.

Nevis: Provides a balanced mix of speed, credibility, and tax neutrality, positioning itself as a mid-tier option closer to Malta/Isle of Man in reputation, but at a fraction of the cost.

Anjouan: Appeals to cost-sensitive or crypto-driven startups, but lacks the institutional weight of Curaçao or Nevis. It is often viewed as a stepping-stone license rather than a long-term compliance solution.

📊 Practical Evidence and Market Reactions

• Nevis is gaining traction with Asian markets (Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia) where operators report smoother PSP integrations and investor confidence.

  
  

• Curaçao remains widely used, particularly by established operators, esports ventures, and blockchain platforms that value continuity despite slower licensing transitions.

  
  

• Anjouan has seen a resurgence in 2024–2025, largely from crypto casinos and small-scale startups seeking low-cost entry. Yet, payment providers and banks remain cautious, limiting its utility for operators needing stable financial infrastructure.

🏁 Conclusion

Curaçao: Strong history, now reforming towards higher credibility but at the cost of time, expense, and flexibility.

Nevis: Emerging as the credible, tax-neutral, fast-track alternative for global operators, with a well-structured Tier-1 framework.

Anjouan: A budget-friendly, high-speed option best suited for entry-level ventures, but carries reputational and financial access risks.

For operators, the decision rests on strategy:

• Curaçao for continuity and global legacy.

• Nevis for balanced credibility and speed.

• Anjouan for affordability and experimentation.

At NUR Legal, we help iGaming businesses navigate these frameworks with precision, whether the goal is established infrastructure, emerging prestige, or lean entry strategy.

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