How to Choose the Right Gaming License in 2026
If you’re comparing gaming licenses in 2026, the choice comes down to a small number of established jurisdictions, each built for different budgets, timelines, and market strategies. The decision affects how fast you can launch, which markets you can target, and how easily you can secure banking and payment providers. This guide focuses on the licenses that matter most in 2026 and explains how to choose the right one based on how you plan to operate
TL;DR
- In 2026, gaming licenses are about fit, not prestige
- Anjouan: fastest and cheapest (2–3 weeks, €15k), limited banking
- Curaçao: best all-rounder (4–6 weeks, €25k–€35k), strong PSP acceptance
- Nevis: modern mid-tier (8–12 weeks, €28k), strong banking, B2C + B2B
- Malta: premium EU license (6–12 months, €25k–€100k+), highest credibility
Which Gaming License Should You Choose in 2026?
By 2026, choosing a gaming license is less about chasing the “best” jurisdiction and more about aligning the license with how you actually plan to operate. The right choice depends on four variables you can’t avoid: budget, speed, target markets, and banking.
Budget: how much can you realistically allocate?
If your licensing budget is under €20,000, your options are limited but not unworkable. Jurisdictions like Anjouan are designed for fast, low-cost entry and are often used by startups, test launches, or operators prioritizing speed over broad banking access.
With a budget in the €20,000–€50,000 range, you gain far more flexibility. Licenses such as Curaçao and Nevis sit here, offering a balance between affordability, regulatory structure, and international PSP acceptance. This is where most first-time and growing operators land.
Budgets above €50,000 open the door to premium jurisdictions, most notably the Malta gaming license, where higher costs are justified by regulatory depth, reputation, and access to tightly regulated European markets.
Speed: how quickly do you need to go live?
If speed is critical and you need to launch in two to three weeks, your realistic option is Anjouan. It remains the fastest licensing route in 2026. If you can accommodate a one- to two-month timeline, Curaçao becomes viable, and in some cases Nevis, depending on complexity and documentation readiness.
If your timeline allows six months or more, Malta may make sense, but only if speed is not a constraint and the business case justifies the delay.
Target markets: where are your players?
For Europe-focused operations, Malta offers the strongest positioning, while Curaçao and the Nevis gaming license are commonly used for pan-European access where strict EU regulation is not mandatory.
For Asia and Latin America, faster and more flexible jurisdictions such as Anjouan, Curaçao, and Nevis are frequently chosen due to fewer market restrictions and faster approvals.
Global-facing platforms operating across multiple regions often prioritize licenses that allow both B2C and B2B activity without geographic friction, a key reason Nevis and Curaçao are increasingly popular.
Banking and PSPs: how important is payment access?
If PSP compatibility and international banking are a top priority, Curaçao and Nevis currently offer the most reliable balance between accessibility and acceptance.
If crypto support is central to your model, most offshore and mid-tier jurisdictions support it, though traditional banking may still vary. If you require top-tier European banking relationships, Malta remains the strongest option, but comes with higher compliance obligations and longer onboarding timelines.
Gaming License Comparison Table 2026
| Jurisdiction | Annual Cost | Timeline | Target | Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevis | €28,000 | 8-12 weeks | B2C+B2B | ★★★★☆ Modern |
| Curacao | €25,000-€35,000 | 4-6 weeks | B2C+B2B | ★★★★☆ Established |
| Anjouan | €15,000 | 2-3 weeks | B2C+B2B | ★★★★☆ Fast |
| Malta | €25,000-€100,000+ | 6-12 months | Premium | ★★★★★ Top-tier |
Nevis Gaming License
The Nevis gaming license is positioned for operators who want a credible, modern license without the cost, delays, or operational overhead of a premium European jurisdiction. Introduced under a new framework in 2025, it was designed specifically around how online gaming businesses operate today.
Cost
You’ll pay €28,000 per year in license fees, plus one-time setup costs for company formation and initial compliance. This places Nevis firmly in the mid-tier: more structured and credible than ultra-low-cost offshore options, but far more accessible than licenses like Malta. For many businesses, this leaves room in the budget for marketing, technology, and payment integration, rather than locking capital into regulatory overhead.
Timeline
You should expect approval in 8–12 weeks. While this isn’t the fastest route to market, the timeline reflects a deliberate review of ownership, compliance setup, and operational readiness. In practice, this often saves time later, particularly when you start onboarding banks and PSPs, because the groundwork has already been done.
Requirements
- Applicants are required to:
- Form a licensed company
- Appoint a local compliance officer
- Implement standard KYC and AML procedures
There is no requirement for a physical local office, keeping fixed operational costs under control.
Banking and PSP Compatibility
If payment access matters to you, Nevis performs well. The license is compatible with international banks and PSPs, including providers that support both fiat and crypto transactions. This gives you flexibility to build or adjust your payment stack as your business grows, rather than being locked into a narrow set of providers.
Target Markets
A Nevis gaming license allows you to operate globally, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and covers both B2C and B2B activity under a single framework. If you’re planning to scale across regions, launch white-label platforms, or combine player-facing products with platform services, this flexibility is a major advantage.
Why Operators Choose Nevis
You choose Nevis if you’re looking for a balanced license: credible enough to support banking and growth, structured enough to avoid future friction, but still fast and affordable enough to launch without overcommitting capital. It’s designed for operators who want room to grow, not just to get licensed.
“After working with nearly every major jurisdiction, I can confidently say the Nevis gaming license is a game-changer. It’s fast, reputable, and designed with today’s gaming industry in mind.” Gilad Oren, CEO at GBO International Financial Services
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Curaçao Gaming License
The Curaçao gaming license remains one of the most widely used and recognised licensing options in the online gambling industry. In 2026, it continues to appeal to operators who want a proven framework, relatively fast approval, and broad acceptance from payment providers. The licensing process is overseen by Gaming Control Curaçao, the official regulatory authority.
Cost
You should expect annual licensing costs between €25,000 and €35,000, depending on the sub-license type and the activities you plan to cover. This places Curaçao slightly below mid-tier options like Nevis, while offering a longer regulatory track record than ultra-fast offshore jurisdictions. For many businesses, that balance is exactly the point.
Timeline
Approval typically takes 4–6 weeks. That makes Curaçao one of the faster routes to market among well-established jurisdictions and a practical choice if you’re aiming to launch within the same quarter without sacrificing regulatory familiarity.
Requirements
To obtain a Curaçao gaming license, operators are required to:
- Establish a Curaçao-registered company
- Appoint a local director or authorised agent
- Designate a compliance officer
- Implement standard KYC and AML controls
The process is well documented and familiar to most industry service providers, which helps reduce friction during setup.
Banking and PSP Compatibility
Curaçao benefits from wide acceptance among international PSPs and banks. Most major payment providers are accustomed to working with Curaçao-licensed operators, making it easier to secure both fiat and crypto processing compared to less established jurisdictions.
Target Markets
The license supports global operations and maintains a strong reputation in Europe, particularly for operators targeting international audiences without requiring a full EU-regulated framework.
Why Operators Choose Curaçao
You choose Curaçao if you want speed without uncertainty. It offers fast approval, broad payment acceptance, and a flexible licensing structure, all without the cost, timelines, or operational complexity that come with premium European jurisdictions.
Learn More About Curacao Gaming License →
Anjouan Gaming License
If your priority is getting to market as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, the Anjouan gaming license is hard to ignore. In 2026, it remains the fastest licensing option available, and for many operators, that speed alone is the deciding factor.
Cost
The annual license fee is €15,000, making Anjouan the lowest-cost option among commonly used gaming jurisdictions. For startups, test launches, or operators working with tight capital constraints, this significantly lowers the barrier to entry.
Timeline
Approval typically takes 2–3 weeks, which is currently the fastest in the industry. If you need to launch quickly, whether to capture a market opportunity or validate a business model, Anjouan offers the shortest path.
Requirements
The setup process is intentionally light. You’ll need to form an offshore company and implement basic KYC and AML procedures. There is no requirement for a local office or extensive operational footprint, keeping both complexity and ongoing costs low.
Banking and PSP Compatibility
This is where you need to be selective. PSP and banking acceptance is more limited compared to jurisdictions like Curaçao or Nevis. Anjouan works best if you already have aligned payment partners or are comfortable operating with a narrower set of providers, often including crypto-focused solutions.
Target Markets
Anjouan is most commonly used for Asia, Latin America, and other emerging markets, where regulatory barriers are lower and speed to market is often more important than brand-level regulatory prestige.
Why You Might Choose Anjouan
You choose Anjouan if cost and speed outweigh everything else. It offers the fastest approval, the lowest annual fees, and minimal bureaucracy, making it a practical option when you want to go live quickly and keep upfront investment to a minimum.
Get Your Anjouan Gaming License →
Malta Gaming License
The Malta gaming license sits at the top end of the regulatory spectrum. You don’t choose it to move fast or keep costs down, you choose it when reputation, EU market access, and long-term positioning matter more than speed.
Cost
Annual licensing costs typically range from €25,000 to well over €100,000, depending on revenue tiers and the scope of your operation. This doesn’t include the broader cost of compliance, staffing, audits, and ongoing regulatory obligations, which are materially higher than in offshore or mid-tier jurisdictions.
Timeline
You should plan for 6–12 months from initial application to full approval. The process includes detailed due diligence, technical audits, and multiple review stages. Malta is not designed for rapid launches.
Requirements
To qualify, you must establish a Malta-based company, maintain a local presence, and demonstrate substantial capital reserves. Compliance expectations are stringent, covering governance, technical infrastructure, responsible gaming, and ongoing reporting. This is a continuous obligation, not a one-time setup.
Banking and PSP Compatibility
Where Malta excels is banking. A Malta gaming license offers premium access to European banks and top-tier PSPs, particularly for fiat processing. Payment onboarding is still rigorous, but acceptance rates are higher than with offshore licenses.
Target Markets
Malta is the gold standard for Europe. If your core markets are within the EU, or you need the credibility that comes with an EU-regulated license, this is where Malta delivers clear value.
Why You Might Choose Malta
You choose Malta when regulatory credibility is non-negotiable. It provides the highest level of trust, strong consumer perception, and access to regulated European markets, but only makes sense if your business model can support the cost, compliance load, and longer runway.
Other Jurisdictions
Moheli (Comoros)
The Moheli gaming license is most commonly associated with forex and financial services licensing, not online casinos. While it occasionally appears in gaming comparisons, its regulatory framework is limited when it comes to casino and sportsbook operations. For most gambling operators, it’s better viewed as a financial-markets license rather than a true gaming alternative.
Tobique (First Nations)
The Tobique gaming license operates under a First Nations regulatory framework in Canada. It can be relevant if you’re targeting a specific North American use case or operating within a defined ecosystem, but it offers limited flexibility for global expansion and is rarely used as a primary license for international platforms.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man gaming license sits firmly in the top-tier regulatory category, alongside Malta. It offers strong credibility and long-standing recognition, but at the cost of high fees, lengthy approval timelines, and substantial compliance obligations. For most operators, it’s only viable once the business is already established and generating significant revenue.
Vanuatu
The Vanuatu gaming license is often considered an emerging jurisdiction for online gaming. While entry costs can be attractive, banking and PSP acceptance remain inconsistent, which can create friction once the platform scales. It may work for specific models, but it’s rarely chosen when payment access and long-term stability are priorities.
How Much Does a Gaming License Cost? (Total Breakdown)
| Cost Category | Nevis | Curacao | Anjouan | Malta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company formation | €5,000 | €4,000 | €3,000 | €10,000 |
| License fee (annual) | €28,000 | €25,000-€35,000 | €15,000 | €25,000-€100,000+ |
| Compliance setup | €3,000 | €3,000 | €2,000 | €15,000 |
| Banking/PSP setup | €2,000 | €2,000 | €1,500 | €5,000 |
| Total Year 1 | €38,000 | €34,000-€44,000 | €21,500 | €55,000-€130,000+ |
Gaming License Requirements Comparison
| Requirement | Nevis | Curacao | Anjouan | Malta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local company | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Local director/agent | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum capital | €50,000 | €50,000 | €25,000 | €100,000+ |
| Physical presence | No | No | No | Yes |
| Compliance officer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AML/KYC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Extensive |
Gaming License Timeline: How Long Does Approval Take?
Licensing timelines directly affect how soon you can launch, onboard payment providers, and start marketing. Below is how approval times typically break down in 2026, and what those timelines actually mean in practice.
Anjouan: 2–3 Weeks
If speed is your top priority, Anjouan is the fastest option available. Approvals are usually completed within two to three weeks, making it suitable for rapid launches, MVPs, or situations where timing matters more than regulatory depth. The trade-off is lighter upfront scrutiny, which can later affect banking and PSP options.
Curaçao: 4–6 Weeks
Curaçao typically requires four to six weeks for approval. This timeline reflects a more structured review process than ultra-fast jurisdictions while remaining fast enough for operators planning to launch within the same quarter. For many businesses, Curaçao is the quickest route that still offers broad PSP familiarity.
Nevis: 8–12 Weeks
Nevis approvals usually take eight to twelve weeks. This longer timeline is intentional and reflects deeper checks around ownership, compliance setup, and operational readiness. The benefit is a license that tends to perform better during banking and PSP onboarding once issued.
Malta: 6–12 Months
A Malta gaming license is the slowest to obtain, with approval timelines ranging from six to twelve months. The process includes detailed due diligence, technical audits, and staged regulatory reviews. Malta is built for long-term EU credibility rather than speed and only makes sense if your launch timeline can accommodate the delay.
Which Jurisdictions Do Banks and PSPs Accept?
| Jurisdiction | PSP Acceptance | Banking Access | Crypto Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevis | High | High | Yes |
| Curacao | High | High | Yes |
| Anjouan | Medium | Medium | Yes |
| Malta | Very High | Very High | Selective |
FAQs
Which gaming license is the fastest to obtain?
If speed is the deciding factor, Anjouan is the fastest option in 2026, with approvals typically completed in 2–3 weeks. Curaçao follows at around 4–6 weeks, offering a more established framework with only a modest increase in timeline.
Which gaming license is the cheapest?
Anjouan has the lowest annual cost at €15,000 per year. That makes it attractive for early-stage operators, but it’s important to factor in the trade-offs, particularly when it comes to banking and PSP acceptance, which can be more selective than with mid-tier or premium licenses.
Which gaming license is considered the most reputable?
The Malta gaming license remains the benchmark for reputation, especially within Europe. It’s followed by Nevis, which has gained credibility under its modern 2025 framework, and Curaçao, which benefits from long-standing industry recognition.
Can I operate globally with a Nevis gaming license?
Yes. The Nevis gaming license supports both B2C and B2B operations and is commonly used for global platforms targeting Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It also performs well with international PSPs, which is critical for multi-region operations.
Do I need to visit the jurisdiction to get a gaming license?
No. For Nevis, Curaçao, and Anjouan, the entire licensing process can be handled remotely. GBO manages company formation, applications, and regulator coordination on your behalf, so there’s no requirement for in-person visits during the licensing process.
