Choosing Between Anjouan and Mohéli for Your iGaming License
If you're launching or expanding an online gambling business in 2025, you've likely come across two increasingly popular offshore licensing options: Anjouan and Mohéli, both part of the Union of the Comoros.
While these islands offer similar appeal—low cost, fast setup, and international reach—they operate under different legal structures, regulators, and market reputations. For operators, especially startups or crypto-friendly brands, choosing the right one could impact your platform’s credibility, payment processing options, and long-term growth.
Here’s a closer look at how the Anjouan and Mohéli iGaming licenses compare.
Regulatory Framework
Anjouan has a longer track record in the iGaming industry. Its regulatory structure has been revised and modernized in recent years, attracting more global operators with improved compliance and administrative clarity. The license is issued under a defined legal system and has become increasingly accepted by platform providers and PSPs worldwide.
Mohéli, while also part of the Comoros, has taken a different route. Its licensing body is newer to international attention and is still developing standardized procedures and infrastructure. That said, it’s gaining interest due to its extremely light regulatory demands and flexible approach—especially appealing for crypto-first or high-risk models.
Licensing Process and Timeline
Anjouan’s process is relatively fast. Most applications, if prepared properly, are approved within a few weeks, including business vetting and platform validation.
Mohéli can be even quicker, with some providers offering streamlined approvals. However, speed sometimes comes at the cost of consistency in regulatory checks or document standards.
Accepted Use Cases and Flexibility
Both jurisdictions offer broad licensing scopes, covering:
- Online casinos
- Sports betting
- Poker and card games
- Lotteries and raffles
- Bingo and instant win games
Anjouan allows multiple domains under one license and has clear distinctions between B2C (consumer-facing) and B2B (service providers), making it ideal for operators with white-label programs or software products.
Mohéli offers a similar structure, but its licensing classifications are often less formalized. This can make things quicker, but also introduces uncertainty when working with international partners.
Costs and Maintenance
While both jurisdictions offer affordable paths to licensing, Anjouan is generally more expensive than Mohéli.
Anjouan's pricing reflects its more established reputation and wider acceptance among PSPs and platforms. Mohéli tends to be the lower-cost option, which can be attractive for businesses with a short-term focus or minimal setup requirements.
Payment and Platform Compatibility
Over the past year, Anjouan has become increasingly accepted by Tier 2 and Tier 3 PSPs, game aggregators, and platform providers. Its growing reputation as a reliable offshore license means fewer restrictions when setting up merchant accounts or working with popular game studios.
Mohéli is still building that level of recognition. Some PSPs and game content providers may request additional vetting or may not work with Mohéli-licensed operators at all, especially in more regulated countries.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you need speed, simplicity, and are targeting only offshore or gray markets with crypto payments, Mohéli may do the job—especially for short-term test launches or niche products.
If you're building a longer-term brand, need to integrate with PSPs or game providers, or plan to eventually upgrade your license, Anjouan offers a more stable and accepted foundation.
Final Thoughts
Both Anjouan and Mohéli offer accessible entry points into the online gambling market—but they’re suited to different types of businesses.
Each license has its strengths. The right choice depends on your goals, timeline, and appetite for compliance.
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