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Online gaming licences compared: 2026 guide for casino and sportsbook operators
A side-by-side view of the licences operators ask about most, from Curaçao and Anjouan to the MGA, the UK, Brazil and the US states, with a dedicated guide for each: authority, law, public fees, tax, timeline and what the licence means for your game lobby.
Which gaming licence do you need?
The licence you need is decided by where your players are, not by where your company sits. Pick the markets first, then the licence that lets you serve them, then the content and payment stack that the licence accepts. A brand aimed at many emerging markets usually starts with a multi-market licence; a brand aimed at one regulated country needs that country’s own licence.
Every guide below covers the same practical ground in its own way: the authority and the law it applies, the licence types, the fees and taxes the regulator publishes, realistic timelines, the substance and compliance people you will need, and what the regime means for the games you can put in your lobby. Figures are dated and attributed to the body that published them. This hub and the guides are general information for operators planning a launch, not legal advice; a licensing decision should always be made with a lawyer who practises in that jurisdiction.
- Multi-market licences (Curaçao, Anjouan, Tobique, Kahnawake): fastest and cheapest route to a live brand, accepted in many countries that have no local licensing of their own.
- Hub licences (Malta, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Alderney, Estonia): heavier supervision and higher cost, stronger standing with banks, payment providers and studios.
- National licences (UK, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, Ontario, the US states and others): required to serve players in that country, with local tax, technical and content rules.
Multi-market licences: Curaçao, Anjouan, Tobique, Kahnawake, Costa Rica
These are the licences most new casino brands start with. They are issued to serve players in many countries at once, cost a fraction of a national licence and can be in place within weeks to a few months. The trade-off is that they do not, on their own, give access to markets that run their own licensing system.
| Licence | Regulator | Indicative public cost | Typical timeline | Published tax | Markets | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curaçao (CGA, LOK 2024) | Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) | €4,592 application; €47,450/yr B2C, €24,490/yr B2B | About 3–5 months (two review phases) | No GGR tax; profit tax 15%/22% | International markets without local licensing | Operators wanting a recognised multi-vertical base licence |
| Anjouan (Comoros) | Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority, via ALSI | €17,828 issuance; €17,828 annual renewal | About 4–6 weeks (agents’ estimate) | No GGR tax reported | Unregulated international and crypto-first markets | Early-stage brands wanting a fast, low-cost entry licence |
| Tobique (Canada, First Nation) | Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC) | About €36,000 first year (agents’ figures) | About 4–8 weeks (agents’ estimate) | No GGR tax reported | International markets; excludes Canadian provinces | Brands wanting a newer regulator without local staffing |
| Kahnawake (KGC, CPA) | Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission | USD 35,000 application (40,000 from 2027) + 20,000/year | 4-8 weeks, then 6-month preliminary permit | No gaming tax in published schedule; fixed fees | International; not an EU licence | Multi-brand operators wanting fixed costs and no local company |
| Costa Rica (Law 9050) | No gaming regulator; Hacienda taxes, municipalities permit | ₡26.3m–₡52.2m a year headcount tax (2026) | Company set-up and patente; varies by canton | Headcount tax plus 30% income tax | Back office only; licence held elsewhere | Operators hiring bilingual support and trading teams |
European hub licences: Malta, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Alderney, Estonia
Hub licences come from small, established jurisdictions with real supervision, substance requirements and a reputation that banks, payment providers and studios trust. They are the usual choice for a group that wants credibility and a regulated base, then adds national licences market by market.
| Licence | Regulator | Indicative public cost | Typical timeline | Published tax | Markets | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta (MGA, Gaming Act Cap. 583) | Malta Gaming Authority | €5,000 application + €25,000/year + compliance contribution | About 4-6 months (not officially published) | 15% Type 1, 10% others, Maltese players only (from 1 Oct 2026) | EU base; non-licensing markets worldwide | Operators wanting a respected EU base for casino and betting |
| Isle of Man (GSC, OGRA 2001) | Gambling Supervision Commission | £5,250 application + £36,750/year (full licence) | 10-12 weeks after acceptance (GSC) | Duty 1.5% to £20m yield, then 0.5% and 0.1% | International, UK-adjacent; strong in B2B | Operators ready to build real substance on the island |
| Gibraltar (Gambling Act 2025) | Gambling Authority and Gambling Commissioner | B2C: £30,000 + £50,000-£200,000/yr | Several months, meeting first | 0.15% duty, first £100,000 exempt | Base for regulated EU/UK-facing groups | Established operators ready for local substance |
| Alderney (AGCC) | Alderney Gambling Control Commission | £17,500 first year; then £35,000-£400,000 | 3-6 months (adviser estimates) | No gaming duty; 0% standard company rate | International base; not a UK licence | Platforms and brands wanting a respected Crown Dependency licence |
| Estonia (EMTA, Gambling Act 2008) | Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) | €47,940 + €3,200 state fees, no annual fee | 4-6 months activity licence, then 2-4 months permit | 5.5% of bets less prizes (2026), 4% by 2029 | Estonia; EU-based licence | Well-capitalised operators wanting an EU licence with falling tax |
National licences in Europe
A national licence authorises you to serve one country, under that country’s tax, player-protection and technical rules. Costs and timelines are higher and each regime has its own content rules, but it is the only way to operate openly in these markets.
| Licence | Regulator | Indicative public cost | Typical timeline | Published tax | Markets | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain (UKGC) | Gambling Commission | From £8,185 + £7,000/yr (from Oct 2026) | 16-week target, 4-6 months realistic | RGD 40% of profits from April 2026 | Great Britain only | Well-funded brands targeting British players |
| Sweden (Spelinspektionen) | Spelinspektionen | SEK 230k application; SEK 240k yearly supervision | Several months; no fixed statutory decision time | 22% of GGR since July 2024 | Sweden only | Brands targeting Swedish players with certified, permitted content |
| Denmark (Spillemyndigheden) | Spillemyndigheden | DKK 343,300 application; annual fee by GGR band | A few months; no guaranteed decision time | 28% of GGR | Denmark only | Brands wanting a predictable, fully published Nordic cost base |
| Netherlands (KSA, Koa 2021) | Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) | €61,300 application fee since April 2026 | Six months or more | 37.8% of GGR plus 1.95% levy | Netherlands only | Well-funded brands ready for high tax and strict duty of care |
| Germany (GGL, GlüStV 2021) | GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder) | No flat published fee; €5m minimum security | At least three months processing | 5.3% of stakes (slots, poker, betting) | Germany; table games licensed by states | Slot-led brands able to run strict product rules |
| Belgium (Gaming Commission) | Kansspelcommissie / Commission des jeux de hasard | No online-only route; requires land-based A, B or F1 | Depends on acquiring a land-based licence | Regional; about 11% gross margin, online casino | Belgium only | Groups partnering with or owning Belgian land-based licensees |
| Spain (DGOJ, Ley 13/2011) | DGOJ | €2M guarantee per general licence (€2.6M from 2027) | Only during public calls; 6-month decision | 20% of net gaming income | Spain only (.es domain) | Well-capitalised EU operators targeting a mature euro market |
| Italy (ADM, D.Lgs. 41/2024) | ADM | €7M per concession | Tender closed; next expected near 2034 | 24.5% betting / 25.5% casino GGR | Italy only; one site per concession | Established groups buying into a closed market |
| Portugal (SRIJ, RJO 2015) | SRIJ / Turismo de Portugal | Portaria fees; guarantees quoted around €600k | Rolling applications, three-stage review | IEJO: 25% GGR casino, 8% turnover betting | Portugal only | EU operators wanting a rolling-entry euro market |
| Greece (HGC, Law 4635/2019) | Hellenic Gaming Commission | €3M betting / €2M casino per 7 years | Decision within about two months | 35% of GGR | Greece only | Capitalised EU brands ready for a high-tax market |
| Romania (ONJN) | National Gambling Office (ONJN) | €300,000/yr + €500,000 RG contribution | 3-4 months end to end | 30% of GGR, min €480,000 (online) | Romanian residents only, .ro | Operators with budget for a strict EU market |
| Latvia (interactive gambling) | State Revenue Service (ex-IAUI) | €200,000 + €45,000/yr; €1.4m capital | Several months; not published | 15% of interactive revenue (2026) | Latvian residents only, .lv | Operators committing to a Baltic market |
North America
Canada and the United States license online gambling province by province and state by state. Ontario runs an open, competitive market; US states tie online casino licences to land-based casino licensees and approve each game individually.
| Licence | Regulator | Indicative public cost | Typical timeline | Published tax | Markets | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario (AGCO + iGaming Ontario) | AGCO; iGaming Ontario | C$100,000 per site per year | Rolling; months to over a year | ~20% revenue share to iGO | Ontario players only (CAD) | Regulated-market operators targeting Canada's largest province |
| New Jersey (DGE, Casino Control Act) | Division of Gaming Enforcement + Casino Control Commission | $400k permit (casino partner); CSIE fees plus investigation costs | No published timeline; often close to a year | 19.75% of online GGR since July 2025 | New Jersey only (geofenced), players 21+ | Brands partnering with an Atlantic City casino |
| Pennsylvania (PGCB, Act 42 of 2017) | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board | $10M certificate (3 categories); $1M operator licence | No published timeline; months to a year | 54% online slots; 16% tables and poker | Pennsylvania only (geofenced), players 21+ | Operators partnering with a Pennsylvania certificate holder |
| Michigan (MGCB, Lawful Internet Gaming Act 2019) | Michigan Gaming Control Board | $100k operator licence (partner); supplier licence $5k | No published timeline; about a year | 20% to 28% graduated on adjusted gross receipts | Michigan only (geofenced), players 21+ | Platforms partnering with a Detroit casino or tribe |
Latin America
Latin America has moved fast: Colombia pioneered online licensing in the region, Brazil and Peru opened regulated markets in 2024–2025, and Argentina licenses by province. Local currency, local payment methods and locally certified games are now the norm in these markets.
| Licence | Regulator | Indicative public cost | Typical timeline | Published tax | Markets | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil (SPA) | SPA / Ministério da Fazenda | BRL 30m grant, 5 years, 3 brands | Months; SPA review plus certification | GGR 13 % (2026) to 15 % (2028) | Brazil, sports betting and online casino | Well-capitalised groups with a Brazilian entity and partner |
| Colombia (Coljuegos) | Coljuegos | 15 % of GGR + 811 minimum wages/year | Several months; depends on certification | VAT 2025 only; 2026 decree struck down | Colombia, casino and sports betting | Operators ready to incorporate locally and sign a 3-5 year contract |
| Mexico (SEGOB permit) | SEGOB / DGJS | No flat fee; access via a Mexican permit holder | Depends on the permit deal | IEPS 50 % from 2026 | Mexico, online as permit modality | Groups partnering with or owning a Mexican permit holder |
| Peru (MINCETUR) | MINCETUR (DGJCMT) | Guarantee 600 UIT (PEN 3.3m) per authorisation | About 9-14 months, per consultants | 12 % of net income + 1 % ISC | Peru; casino and betting licensed separately | Local or non-resident operators with certified platforms |
| Argentina (LOTBA, IPLyC, provinces) | LOTBA, IPLyC and provincial lotteries | Quotas closed; entry via existing licensees | Deal-dependent; no open tender in 2026 | Canon + gross income tax + federal 2.5-15 % | One province or the City per licence | Operators partnering with an Argentine licensee |
Asia and Africa
In Asia and Africa the licensing picture is fragmented: the Philippines reshaped its regime after closing offshore operators in 2024, while Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa license through state, national or provincial boards with their own tax rules.
| Licence | Regulator | Indicative public cost | Typical timeline | Published tax | Markets | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines (PAGCOR, PIGO) | PAGCOR | 30% GGR share + monthly minimum fee | Several months; not published | 30% of GGR (25% for IRs) | Players in the Philippines only | Operators focused solely on Filipino players |
| Cagayan (CEZA, First Cagayan) | CEZA via master licensors | No current published fees | No open route after RA 12312 | Historically negotiated; not published | Foreign players only (historically) | Reference only; offshore play now prohibited |
| Nigeria (Lagos LSLGA) | LSLGA; other states; FSGRN | NGN 5m + 150m; NGN 100m renewal | About 4-6 weeks (practitioners) | 11% GGR levy (FSGRN) + state tax | Lagos; other states separately | Sportsbook-led brands targeting Nigerian players |
| Kenya (GRA, ex-BCLB) | Gambling Regulatory Authority | KES 5m + 50m | New cycle opened mid-2026 | 15% GGR; 5% excise on deposits | Players in Kenya | Mobile sportsbooks with Kenyan co-shareholders |
| South Africa (provincial boards) | Provincial boards, NGB oversight | Set per province; not unified | Months; public hearings | About 6-9% provincial betting tax | South African players; betting only | Sportsbooks with local shareholders and BEE plans |
How to read the comparison
Costs in the tables are the official fees and levies each authority publishes, not the full budget of a launch. Company formation, local directors, audits, testing-lab certificates, legal fees and bank guarantees usually add more than the licence fee itself, so treat the column as the floor. Timelines run from a complete application to a decision; incomplete files are the most common reason they slip.
Tax is shown as the authority or finance ministry publishes it, on gross gaming revenue (GGR) unless the table says turnover. Several countries changed their rates in 2025 and 2026, and each guide says which figure it uses and when it was checked.
Licence and content go together
A licence also decides which games you may offer. Regulated markets want each game certified by an accredited testing laboratory for that market, and many want the supplier itself licensed. Multi-market licences are lighter, but they still expect certified random number generators and published RTPs. Whatever licence you choose, plan the lobby per market: a casino game aggregator API with per-game metadata (studio, category, currencies, market) lets one integration feed different lobbies, and a sportsbook API on the same wallet covers betting where your licence includes it.
Gaming licence questions operators ask
What is the cheapest online casino licence in 2026?
Among the licences covered here, the multi-market ones (Anjouan, Tobique, Curaçao) have the lowest published or commonly quoted fees, typically in the tens of thousands of euros per year before company and compliance costs. Each guide lists the fees the authority itself publishes.
Which gaming licence is fastest to get?
Anjouan and Tobique are usually quoted in weeks; Curaçao under the 2024 law generally takes a few months from a complete application. Hub licences such as Malta and the Isle of Man, and national licences, commonly take several months or more.
Do I need a separate licence for each country?
For countries that run their own licensing system, yes: a UK, Swedish, Brazilian or Ontario player can only be served under that market’s licence. A multi-market licence covers countries that do not license online gambling themselves.
Does the licence affect which casino games I can offer?
Yes. Regulated markets require games certified for that market and often a licensed supplier; lighter regimes still expect certified RNGs and published RTPs. Filter your lobby per market using per-game metadata so each brand only shows what its licence allows.
Can one game integration serve brands under different licences?
Yes, if the integration lets you filter content per market and per studio and handles currencies per player or per site. That is how our API is built: one integration, a seamless wallet, and metadata on every game to build a different lobby for each licence.
Is this legal advice?
No. These guides are general information for operators planning a launch, based on what each authority publishes. Licensing decisions should be taken with a lawyer who practises in the jurisdiction concerned.
How these guides are sourced
Each guide cites the authority, the law and the publication behind every figure, with the date it was checked. We do not link out; the source names are given so you can find the original documents.
- Regulators’ own fee schedules, guidance notes and annual reports, as cited in each guide.
- Primary legislation and implementing regulations named in each guide.
- Finance ministry and tax authority publications for gaming tax rates.
Last reviewed: 24 September 2026.
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