One of the key issues when launching an iGaming business is choosing a jurisdiction to obtain a licence. The Casino Market team has studied legal regulations and requirements for entertainment projects in popular offshore zones worldwide.
From this article, you will learn what unique opportunities each authority offers and where opening an iGaming startup in 2025 is most profitable.
Feel free to contact our studio’s specialists for additional information about the nuances of working in different regions and to order the development of a turnkey online casino.
Gambling Segment in Costa Rica
Among the main features of the offshore zone is the lack of a special licence. According to the local legal model, to operate in the web gaming sector, an applicant only needs to register a firm and describe the business purpose as providing entertainment services.
There is no official body regulating the gambling sphere in Costa Rica, but niche companies must comply with local commercial laws. The only requirement enshrined at the state level is not to offer RMG amusement to residents.
The lack of a direct licensing mechanism opens up many advantages for operators. This factor is especially relevant for firms seeking to avoid abundant regulatory costs and high commissions. Thanks to such a scheme, the country has become an ideal choice for small startups, cryptocurrency brands, and those looking to enter the industry as quickly and easily as possible.
Advantages of Costa Rica’s Licence
By choosing this jurisdiction, operators can rationally distribute their budget and focus more efforts on business development.
Benefits that a local permit holder receives:
- no need for large initial investments;
- acceptable requirements for registering platforms;
- fast launch (a few weeks are enough to found a company);
- flexible legal rules regarding crypto transactions and decentralised technologies.
Malta’s Gaming Market
The European island state is recognised as one of the leading international gambling jurisdictions. The local regulator, the MGA, is widely known worldwide and actively promotes global safe and responsible play initiatives. The authority issues a wide range of licences for different entertainment activities, from casinos and sports betting to lottery services.
Each applicant is subject to a strict compliance verification procedure. In addition to the biographical data of all interested parties and investors, the operator must provide the responsible body with extra information.
The list includes:
- proof of the company capital’s legality;
- documents guaranteeing the quality and safety of platform software.
The enterprise must be prepared for regular external audits and various independent compliance checks even after receiving the certification.
Benefits of Acquiring a Maltese Licence
A jurisdiction with a strong international reputation is a good choice for established organisations looking to expand their reach lawfully into major European markets. Malta suits gaming businesses with significant financial resources and companies looking to develop and maintain a premium brand image.
Licensing on the island is expensive and lengthy, requiring strict adherence to current legal standards. Nevertheless, the destination has a solid reputation.
A Maltese permit opens up several significant advantages for operators, including:
- increased loyalty from the audience;
- guarantees of reliability and sustainable acceptance in EU countries;
- partnerships with top suppliers, banks and payment platforms associated with the highest level of compliance.
Situation on Curacao’s Gambling Field
The island jurisdiction has always been very popular due to the accessible licensing process and basic requirements for applicants. Registering gaming companies in Curacao is much faster and cheaper than in Malta. This economic environment has ensured the offshore zone popularity among promising startups and operators with a structured or limited budget.
The destination is currently experiencing an outflow of applicants, as the authorities have initiated a large-scale program to reform the gambling sector and its supervision model. The updated framework is expected to bring Curacao closer to the standards of leading European jurisdictions.
Licensing in the Offshore Island: Benefits and Issues
This variant is a good choice for operators who want to find the optimal balance between economic advantages and a high degree of legitimacy. In addition to the financial accessibility of certification, entrepreneurs value the flexibility and speed of starting a project. The local government issues reasonable requirements for gaming corporations, allowing entertainment platforms to open quickly.
As long as Curacao adapts to international regulatory standards, the number of people applying for a local licence will decrease due to concerns about new business obligations. After the reform, local permit holders must review their commercial practices and adjust them following the new norms.
Central Notions About Anjouan
The island has been issuing certifications for over a decade but has only gained widespread fame and popularity in recent years when the legal transformation began in Curacao.
Anjouan attracts aspiring entrepreneurs and investors with limited capital. The jurisdiction is still inferior in authority to Malta or Curacao, but the situation is changing rapidly. The state is confidently strengthening its position in the international gambling market.
Benefits of Anjouan’s Gaming Licence
Let us explore the central advantages of the local certification:
- Loyal legal framework. This factor allows interested parties to launch a project quickly and successfully test various commercial strategies in different niches.
- Universal eco-environment. The island boasts a record-low level of risk for innovation. Licences are well-suited for startups lacking rich industry experience.
- Simple compliance rules. A transparent structure with minimal business requirements allows brands to quickly debut on the market and adapt to legislative changes.
The Main Things About Top Gaming Regulators in 2025
The choice of location for launching a gambling project depends on several factors. These include the operator’s goals, financial capabilities, and focus on specific territories.
Central notions from the article:
- The Costa Rican business model without standard licensing is ideal for cryptocurrency brands. To open a company, it is enough to declare the provision of entertainment services as a goal and comply with general rules.
- Malta’s certification allows entrepreneurs to reach an audience in key European markets. The permit from one of the world’s most recognisable and prestigious regulators is well-suited for established studios that care about maintaining an impeccable reputation.
- The previously high interest in the Curacao jurisdiction has decreased in recent years due to local authorities’ large-scale restructuring program for the gambling sector.
- The island of Anjouan has become a worthy competitor to Curacao and the most popular choice among aspiring operators. The regulator puts forward minimal requirements for applicants and maintains a loyal financial policy.
You can learn more about gaming trends and get detailed advice on acquiring a gambling licence from the specialists of our studio.
We help entrepreneurs launch niche projects from scratch and successfully promote and scale them. The team also supplies individual software components from industry leaders. Feel free to contact us to enlist the support of a trustworthy aggregator partner.
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