Anjouan vs. Curacao: The best choice for iGaming operators in 2025
Summary
Consultant Ron Mendelson (Fast Offshore) compares two popular iGaming jurisdictions — Curacao and Anjouan — and argues that Anjouan is the superior option for operators in 2025. Curacao, long established since the 1990s, has recently reformed its framework (moving away from the master-sub model) to meet higher international standards. Those reforms improved compliance but have brought longer application times, higher costs and administrative bottlenecks.
By contrast, Anjouan (Comoros) has rapidly modernised its regime and positioned itself as a fast, cost-efficient and credible alternative. The piece highlights Anjouan’s regulatory balance: full anti-money-laundering and KYC requirements, RNG and responsible-gaming certifications, but a lighter-touch approach that preserves operational flexibility. Mendelson cites Anjouan’s growth — over 850 licences and more than 2,000 active sites — and notes that Fast Offshore can expedite setup for operators.
The article targets mid-sized operators and startups considering where to incorporate and obtain a gaming licence. It recommends Anjouan for operators seeking quick market entry, lower ongoing costs and easier access to banks, payment processors and affiliate networks, while recognising Curacao remains viable for those anchored in its ecosystem or conservative markets.
Key Points
- Curacao is an established jurisdiction but post-reform processes are slower, costlier and administratively heavier than before.
- Anjouan has modernised quickly and issued over 850 licences supporting 2,000+ sites, showing market traction.
- Anjouan prioritises rapid processing — operators can launch in days with the right partner — while maintaining AML/KYC and technical standards.
- Cost-effectiveness: Anjouan currently offers one of the lowest-cost licence structures, freeing budget for marketing and tech.
- Operational flexibility: Anjouan accommodates crypto, esports, white-labels and niche models without complex reapplications.
- Curacao retains brand recognition and banking ties, but uncertainty during its transition has reduced its appeal for some new applicants.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt — if you’re launching or scaling an iGaming site in 2025, this tells you why Anjouan is the faster, cheaper and increasingly trusted pick over Curacao. Useful if you want to avoid red tape and get live quickly; we read the detail so you don’t have to.