Gaming licences

Anjouan

Anjouan has been issuing remote gambling licences since 2005.

A single B2C licence allows the operator to engage in all forms of gambling activities, including casino, poker, bingo, lottery and sports betting.

Alternatively, a B2B licence is available for gaming software providers.

Licences can be issued to companies registered in any jurisdiction and they allow white-labelling but not sub-licencing.

Anjouan is fast becoming the most popular jurisdiction to obtain a gaming licence, largely as a result of its very efficient application assessment process and affordable fee structure. It is particularly favoured by new entrants to the market.

Curacao

Curacao was one of the very first jurisdictions to issue a remote gaming licence, back in 1996. It has since grown into one of the most significant licencing jurisdictions.

Following a complete overhaul of its licencing regime in 2023, all licences are now issued and overseen by a centralised authority, the Curacao Gaming Control Board. Stricter regulations have been introduced and licence fees have increased substantially. As such, this licence is more suitable for established gaming operators.

Curacao issues two types of licence. The B2C licence allows operators to engage in all forms of gambling activities with players, while the B2B licence is relevant for gaming software providers.

The licence allows white-labelling but not sub-licencing.

Kahnawake

This licence is issued by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), based in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake in Canada. The KGC has been issuing licences since 1999 and enjoys a good reputation.

The licence is known as a Client Provider Authorisation and allows the licencee to host their servers within the Kahnawake Territory, from where they may engage in online casino, poker room and sports betting activities.

The licence is relatively fast to obtain and is not excessively regulated. The fees are higher than those of Anjouan but not as high as other established jurisdictions, such as Malta.

This licencing option is suitable for established operators, particularly those targeting the north American region. It allows white-labelling but not sub-licencing.

Malta

The Malta gaming licence is one of the most respected and prestigious licences available. Malta was the first European jurisdiction to regulate online gaming and has been issuing licences since 2001.

This licence is subject to stringent regulation, particularly in relation to transparency and player protection. The licencing process is quite onerous and the fees can be substantial, as they are based on gaming revenue.

Malta issues two categories of licence. The B2C licence applies to operators, who provide gaming services to players, while the B2B licence caters for gaming software providers. There are 4 types of B2C licence, depending on the exact gaming offering of the operator.

Due to the high degree of regulation and substantial financial outlay, the Malta licence is suitable for large gaming operators. One of its major advantages is that it provides access to the European gaming market.

Turnkey solution

It you don’t already have a gaming website, we can provide you with a complete turnkey solution.

You can be up-and-running faster with our turnkey solution, which comprises an online casino website, complete with games and payment method integrations.

The casino can transact in fiat, as well as cryptocurrencies and requires a minimal upfront investment.

Your main function will be player acquisition and retention, while all other aspects of running your gaming business will be taken care of.

Banking

Gaming businesses can find it quite challenging to access reliable banking services. This is due to the higher inherent risk arising from the nature of the business.

Netstorm Consulting works closely with several financial institutions, which specialise in providing banking services to high-risk businesses, including gaming. It is a prerequisite for the business to hold a recognised licence before it may avail of such services.

There are also solutions available for operators who transact in cryptocurrencies, allowing them to convert funds into fiat and to receive settlements in their bank account.

Payment processing

For licenced gaming operators, we are able to arrange payment processing facilities through processors specialising in the gaming industry.

Securing a suitable merchant account will depend on a number of factors, including the type of licence held, target markets, corporate structure, how long the business has been operating and the volume of transactions.

Processing charges can also vary substantially, based on the risk rating assigned to the merchant by the processor.

Compliance outsourcing

All gaming licences impose strict compliance obligations on operators, intended to ensure that neither the business nor its players become engaged in money laundering activities.

Many smaller operators in particular may not have the capacity to employ an in-house compliance team to carry out this function. In such cases, the operator may choose to outsource its compliance function to a third party service provider.

Netstorm Consulting is able to provide a compliance outsourcing service, thus relieving the operator of this administrative burden.