Highlights:
- The listed authorities in this article are reliable and reputable, so they will increase the credibility of your website.
- Some jurisdictions allow you to submit documents for a gambling license online. Curaçao is an example of such a jurisdiction.
- The UK permit significantly boosts a casino’s credibility and reputation.
- The Isle of Man offers corporate income tax of 0% and a VAT rate of 20%.
Best 8 Online Gambling License Jurisdictions
We have selected eight gaming jurisdictions that are the most popular with gambling businesses to give you an idea of what you might expect when applying for a certification. All those authorities are reliable and reputable, so they will increase the credibility of your website if you obtain the license at any of them.
Curaçao – Online Application for Crypto Casinos
Curaçao is one of the licensing jurisdictions that makes the application process simple and fast. All the documents are submitted online, and they are reviewed within a month. It is suitable for operators that plan to offer cryptocurrencies among payment methods. Simplicity and efficiency are only some of the reasons why many businesses choose this jurisdiction. A low tax rate (2%) and a possibility to pay for the license on a monthly or yearly basis are among the other benefits.
Malta – Credibility Boost
Malta is certainly one of the best countries for gambling licensing, as taxes are low (5%), the political situation is stable, and excellent infrastructure for gambling businesses is in place (state-of-the-art telecommunications networks and data centers). Moreover, given the MGA reputation, having a license in this jurisdiction gives a casino an automatic credibility boost. However, be ready to meet strict requirements and seek legal help to ensure all the casino documentation and your business, in general, are compliant.
Anjouan – Obtain a License at a Low Cost
Just like Curaçao, the Anjouan gambling authority is known for simplicity and efficiency of the application process. Another reason why many businesses prefer this gaming jurisdiction over others is the low cost of the permit. The gambling license costs around $17,000 here and the initial capital needed is only $250,000. It will take 3 weeks on average to receive a license in Anjouan.
United Kingdom – Prestige and Reliability
If you plan to target players from the United Kingdom, you would need a gambling license from the UKGC. This jurisdiction has quite high requirements for businesses and obtaining a license is not easy here, but a UK permit gives a significant boost to a casino in terms of credibility and reputation. Having a UK license would drive international traffic aside from players from the United Kingdom, as gamblers would be certain of the trustworthiness of your brand.
The Isle of Man – Zero Taxes
The Isle of Man is among the best countries in which to obtain a gambling license since it offers a stable and favorable environment for land-based and online casinos. Requirements change rarely, so it is easy to prepare for the application. Furthermore, the Isle of Man offers corporate income tax of 0% and a VAT rate of 20%. Be ready to wait for approximately 12 weeks to have a license issued to your business.
Gibraltar – a 5-Year License
Gibraltar is one of the licensing jurisdictions that gives a prolonged permit (for 5 years) while offering a low revenue tax (0.15%). However, be ready to apply for a certificate in advance, as receiving a gambling license in the country takes from three to six months. Also, obtaining a permit here is not cheap (around $100,000). However, the spending is worth it, as your business gets 10% corporate income tax and no VAT or sales tax.
Kahnawake – Lowest Taxes in Canada
As soon as you plan to target your services in Canada, you will need to have a license issued there. The best gambling license in the country is provided by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. You will have five different license types to choose from, as well as a relatively cheap cost (from $21,000 to $30,000). There are no gaming taxes, and you do not need to have a physical office in the region to apply for a license.
Montenegro – Easy to Obtain to Target Europe
A great choice if your business contains both land-based and online casinos, as both options are covered with one license. Another reason to consider this gambling authority is the fact that your license will be renewed automatically, and you will not need to go through the application process again. Your company would need a capital of $75,000 – $500,000, depending on the gambling activities you plan to provide.
Comparison of Countries Allowing Gambling Licensing
We have gathered key details about the best jurisdictions for online gambling license applications in the table below. Compare them to see which of them is suitable for your business.
| Jurisdiction | Regulatory Body | Obtaining Time | Entertainment Covered | Covered Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | The Curaçao eGaming Licensing Authority | 1 month | Casino, Betting, Lottery, Poker Bingo | Every jurisdiction that does not prohibit gambling activities or does not require a local license |
| Malta | The Malta Gaming Authority | 4 months | Casino, Betting, Lottery, Poker Bingo | European Union |
| Anjouan | The Anjouan Gaming Commission | 3 weeks | Casino, Betting, Lottery, Poker Bingo | Every jurisdiction that does not prohibit gambling activities or does not require a local license |
| The United Kingdom | The United Kingdom Gambling Commission | 4 months | Casino, Betting, Lottery, Poker Bingo | UK |
| Isle of Man | The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission | 3 months | Casino, Betting Lottery | European Union |
| Gibraltar | The Gibraltar Licensing Authority | 3-6 months | Casino, Betting Lottery | European Union |
| Kahnawake | The Kahnawake Gambling Commission | 4 months | Casino, Betting, Lottery, Poker Bingo | Canada |
| Montenegro | Games of Chance Administration. | 3 weeks | Casino, Betting, Lottery, Poker Bingo | Europe |
How We Rate Gambling Jurisdictions
Being in the industry for many years, our experts know how to select the most suitable online gambling jurisdictions for license application. We have many years of experience in this sphere, and have already formed a list of criteria for the evaluation of jurisdictions. The most important features that we take into consideration are listed below.
How Legal Pilot Can Help With Obtaining a Gambling License
It is not always easy to select the most suitable gambling jurisdiction for your business. Moreover, you might face a lot of challenges in the application process. To avoid those inconveniences, consider getting assistance from legal experts in the sphere of gambling – Legal Pilot. Our company assists with obtaining a license at all stages. We provide advice on what jurisdiction to choose for your company, consult about requirements and potential challenges, and assist with document collection and application submission.
Final Thoughts
We have explored some of the best gaming jurisdictions in 2025 and what licenses they provide. The rating was based on the key criteria we usually use when advising our clients. Malta, Curaçao, Anjouan, Gibraltar, and Kahnawake gambling authorities are among the best jurisdictions for online gambling license applications. All of them have different requirements, so it is wise to focus on a license you would like to obtain and ensure you have all the requirements fulfilled.
