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Publication date: 18 December 2025
Offshore iGaming licenses are gambling permits issued in jurisdictions with lenient regulations and simplified taxation, allowing operators to serve players from multiple countries while meeting the basic requirements of the regulator. They are popular among online casinos and bookmakers who prioritize rapid market entry, tax optimization, and product testing across different GEOs. On 3S.INFO, we provide a detailed analysis of offshore licenses for gambling and betting: key jurisdictions, the application process, advantages, hidden complexities, and selection strategy.
- In addition to offshore iGaming licenses, there is another model: local gaming licenses. For detailed information on this type of license, including similarities, differences, and criteria for choice, refer to the article titled “Offshore and Local Licenses in iGaming.”
Who Should Use Offshore iGaming Licenses?
- Startups and new brands: For testing hypotheses, rapid launch, and entering growing markets (Asia, Latin America, Africa).
- Operators focused on cryptocurrencies: For them, issues with fiat payments are less relevant. Curaçao and Anguilla are crypto-friendly.
- Operators targeting markets with unclear regulation: CIS countries, some countries in Asia and Africa.
- Large operators as a supplement: While holding local licenses in Europe, they obtain an offshore license to operate in other regions.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Offshore Licenses for Gambling and Betting
Advantages of an Offshore License for Casinos and Bookmakers
- Speed and Cost: Rapid market entry with a minimal budget.
- Global Reach: One license allows operation in dozens of countries (compiled “whitelist” and “blacklist” of countries).
- Operational Flexibility: Freedom in setting bonus rules, wagering requirements, and marketing activities.
- Low Taxes: Often a fixed annual fee instead of a percentage of turnover.
Disadvantages and Hidden Risks of Offshore Licenses:
- Reputation and Trust: Players from developed markets (Europe) often distrust sites with a Curaçao license.
- Payment Gateways (miners): The main headache. Most international banks and popular payment systems (Visa/Mastercard processing) do not work with offshore licenses. Operators are forced to use cryptocurrency payments, specialized “high-risk” payment aggregators (at very high fees), or local/alternative payment methods (which is difficult without a local presence).
- Issues with Game Providers: Major slot suppliers (NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, etc.) require local licenses to access their content in certain markets. With an offshore license, you may only gain access to their “international” portfolio.
- Risk of Blocking: Regulators (e.g., UKGC, KSA) actively file lawsuits to block the domains and IP addresses of offshore operators targeting their players.
- Legal Uncertainty: In the event of a dispute with a player or affiliate, legal protection in an offshore zone is weak.
Typical Requirements for Obtaining an Offshore iGaming License
While details vary across countries, the general requirements are similar:
- Registration of a legal entity in the jurisdiction where the license is planned.
- Verification of Beneficial Owners (KYC for owners, background checks for criminal records and sanctions).
- Business plan, description of games, software used, payment solution providers, and KYC/AML procedures.
- Minimum capital and reserve requirements, appointment of responsible persons (Director, Compliance Officer).
- Processing times typically range from 1–2 to 8–12 weeks in “simple” offshore jurisdictions. Costs vary significantly — from nominally “budget-friendly” packages to tens of thousands per year, including fees and renewals.
Which Offshore Licensing Jurisdictions Exist for Gambling in 2025/2026?
There are numerous jurisdictions where one can obtain an offshore online gambling and betting license in 2025/2026, but in practice, several main groups are used.
Для conducting affiliate marketing, a special license is required in certain cases. Details about who is obligated to obtain it, the terms and conditions for acquisition, and the risks associated with operating without such authorization are outlined in the article “What is an Affiliate License?” on the3S.INFOportal.
Classic Offshore Jurisdictions
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“International” (Conditionally Offshore / Lightly Regulated) Jurisdictions
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Popular Offshore iGaming Licenses (2025/2026): Comparisons and Distinctions
| Jurisdiction | Obtaining Conditions | Approximate Cost (First Year) | Processing Time | Taxes/Fiscal Burden | Trust Level of License |
| Anjouan (Comoro Islands) | Basic KYC for beneficiaries, documentation package for the company and project, AML/KYC policies; use of foreign legal entity permitted. | Starting from approximately €19,000 per year (license + support). | Approximately 2-4 weeks. | Generally fixed license fee without high GGR tax (depends on structure). | Low-Medium: Good for starting and grey GEOs, but caution from banks and PSPs. |
| Curaçao | Company registration or linking to a local structure, KYC for owners, basic business plan, AML/KYC; transition to a newer, stricter NOOGH/LOK model. | Relatively “budget-friendly”: tens of thousands of euros annually, depending on the provider’s packages. | Usually 4-8 weeks (with correct documents). | Preferential regime: low taxes on gaming profits, emphasis on license fees and levies. | Medium: Widely recognizable offshore license, but not top-tier prestige among banks and major brands. |
| Kahnawake (Canada) | Structure meeting Commission requirements, description of games, control procedures, KYC/AML; deeper checks on owners and software. | Higher than “cheap” offshore options: typically tens of thousands of dollars per year (depending on scheme). | Around 2-3 months. | Moderate fiscal burden, part of revenue goes toward license fees; details depend on structure. | Medium-High: Perceived as a more serious offshore license. |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Company registration, beneficiary verification, financial plan, proof of technical infrastructure, responsible gaming policies. | Average/higher range: annual costs run into tens of thousands of USD, factoring in all fees. | Around 2-3 months. | Tax on gaming income is present, but usually lower than European “onshore” regimes. | Medium: Older and recognizable jurisdiction, but less common compared to Curaçao/Malta. |
| Malta (MGA) | Formally closer to “international/local”: Registration of Maltese company, office presence, substance requirement, full compliance, internal policies, audit, strict KYC/AML.. | From roughly €40,000+ per year (license, audit, taxes, structural maintenance; often substantially more expensive). | Minimum of ~5 months and longer. | Full European taxation plus license contributions; optimization schemes possible but no “zero-tax” models. | High: One of the most prestigious iGaming regimes, widely accepted by banks, PSPs, and providers. |
The comparative table relies on averaged market estimates and publicly available reviews from 2025. Actual figures may vary. All numbers and formulations are indicative and do not substitute legal or tax advice. Before selecting a jurisdiction for a license, an operator should verify current conditions through specialized consultants or directly with the regulator.
The Cheapest Offshore iGaming Licenses
The term “cheapest” offshore licenses refers not to zero cost, but to the lower price range of the market. Anything priced below this range typically involves either fake licenses or outright scams. According to publicly available reviews in 2025, licenses from Anjouan (Comoro Islands), Curaçao, and Costa Rica fall into this minimum-cost segment.
iGaming Jurisdictions With a Low Entry Barrier
- Anjouan (Comoro Islands)
Entry-level packages on the market start from approximately €17,000–20,000 for the first year (license + basic support). - It is often positioned as one of the cheapest and fastest options, with fairly soft compliance and a moderate level of trust.
- Costa Rica
Some offers list a cost of around $12,000–13,000 for the licensing scheme itself (often under a data processing / “gaming license” model without a classic gambling regulator). - A key nuance: this is more of a legal framework for doing business than a comprehensive gambling control system, giving this scheme one of the most controversial reputations.
- Budget-Friendly Curaçao Packages
Although Curaçao is no longer considered “the cheapest in the world,” many providers still offer entry-level solutions starting in the range of “several tens of thousands of euros” for the first year (license + company + basic legal support).
In practice, it is still cheaper and simpler than Malta, Gibraltar, or the Isle of Man, but more expensive than extreme “low-cost” options like Costa Rica.
What to Consider Beyond the Price of an Offshore Gambling License
- Hidden Costs: Even with a “cheap” license, you will need to pay for company formation, a director/secretary, a bank account, compliance, and technical support. The total bill will be significantly higher than the advertised “starting from $12,000.”
- Reputation and Risks: The lower the price and the weaker the regulator, the worse the perception from banks, payment processors, software providers, and sophisticated players. This may ultimately cost more than the initial savings.
What to Consider When Choosing an Offshore License for Betting and Gambling?
- Cost and Timing: The fastest and cheapest options are typically Anjouan, Curaçao, and similar regimes, while more expensive and time-consuming ones are Malta, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man.
- Target Markets: Some jurisdictions are effectively suitable for grey and unregulated GEOs, while others (Malta, Gibraltar) work better as a front for Europe and Tier 1 markets.
- KYC/AML and Reporting Requirements: The higher the jurisdiction’s reputation, the stricter the compliance, the more expensive the maintenance, but the greater the trust in the brand.
Offshore licenses in iGaming, covering both casino (gambling) and sports betting, are the most common and sought-after tools for rapid entry into international markets.
However, an offshore license is not a magic key to all markets, but a tool with clear limitations.
- It is ideal for startups, for working with cryptocurrencies, and in unregulated markets.
- It is useless and dangerous for legal operations in countries with strong regulators (EU, UK, USA).
- The main challenge after obtaining the license is not playing games, but establishing a payment acceptance system for players. Be prepared: 80% of the work with an offshore license involves solving payment infrastructure issues and sourcing quality content.
FAQ
What is an offshore iGaming license for gambling and betting?
An offshore iGaming license is a permit for online casinos and sports betting, issued in jurisdictions with lenient regulation and simplified taxation, granting the right to operate with players from multiple countries while meeting the basic requirements of the regulator. This model is popular among operators who want to quickly enter the market, test their product in different GEOs, and optimize their tax burden.
Who are offshore licenses best suited for?
They are particularly relevant for startups and new brands that are testing hypotheses and entering growing markets in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The offshore model is also convenient for crypto-oriented operators and projects operating in countries without clear regulation, while major brands use such licenses as a supplement to their local permits.
What are the key advantages of an offshore license?
The main advantages are a fast and relatively inexpensive launch, the ability to cover dozens of countries with one permit, and high product flexibility (bonuses, wagering requirements, marketing, cryptocurrency payments). This is coupled with low or fixed taxes, where the operator pays an annual fee instead of a percentage of turnover.
What are the main risks and limitations associated with offshore licenses?
Offshore licenses often garner less trust from players in developed markets and are viewed less favorably by banks and major payment systems, making the integration of Visa/Mastercard and traditional acquiring potentially problematic. Additionally, operators face limitations on content from top-tier providers, the risk of domain blocks by strong regulators, and weak legal protection in case of disputes with players or affiliates.
What should you pay attention to when choosing an offshore jurisdiction?
It is crucial to weigh not only the price and time frame for obtaining the license but also the target markets, KYC/AML and reporting requirements, as well as the regulator’s reputation in the eyes of banks, payment aggregators, and game providers. Cheap and soft jurisdictions (Anjouan, Costa Rica, basic Curaçao schemes) simplify the launch but increase the risk of payment and trust issues. In contrast, more stringent regimes (Malta, Gibraltar) are more expensive but work better for Tier 1 markets and long-term brand building.
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