Anjouan Gaming Addresses Licence Framework Debate

Anjouan Gaming has issued a public statement addressing recent discussion surrounding its licensing system, using the opportunity to clarify how the Anjouan Internet Gaming Licence operates and what responsibilities remain with licensed operators.

Anjouan Gaming said it supports informed debate on regulatory matters and encouraged serious discussion around licensing standards, market access, player protection, anti-money laundering controls, technical compliance, and responsible gaming requirements.

Anjouan Gaming said licences are issued under the framework of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan and administered through its licensing structure under the relevant public authorities.

Distinction Between Licensing and Market Access

A central point of the statement focused on separating different aspects of gambling regulation that are often discussed together. Anjouan Gaming said stakeholders should distinguish between the legal basis for issuing a licence, the activities covered by that licence, obligations placed on operators, the compliance record of individual businesses, and the duty of operators to follow the laws of jurisdictions where they advertise, accept customers, process payments, or conduct business.

The organisation stated: “An Anjouan Internet Gaming Licence is not, and has never been presented as, a universal authorisation to operate in every country in the world.”

It further added: “No licensing authority can exempt an operator from local law in jurisdictions where local authorisation is required.”

Ongoing Requirements for Licensees

Anjouan Gaming also outlined the obligations that apply to businesses operating under its framework. It said qualifying internet gaming operators and service providers that obtain licences remain subject to a range of compliance measures.

These include licence conditions, due diligence procedures, AML and KYC requirements, responsible gaming obligations, technical and platform standards, complaint-handling procedures, website approval requirements, public verification systems, and enforcement measures. The organisation noted that enforcement action can include suspension or revocation where circumstances require it.

The statement highlighted that operators remain responsible for complying with laws in the jurisdictions where they conduct business. Anjouan Gaming maintained that obtaining an offshore licence does not remove those responsibilities.

Response to Industry Commentary

The organisation welcomed constructive criticism and comparisons between licensing jurisdictions, noting that operators often have different regulatory requirements based on factors such as business models, target markets, payment arrangements, supplier relationships, risk profiles, and long-term plans.

At the same time, it expressed concern about commentary that it believes confuses offshore licensing with local authorisation requirements. It also criticized claims that use the conduct of individual operators as evidence against an entire regulatory framework.

“What is not helpful,” it remarked, “is commentary that conflates offshore licensing with local market authorisation, treats operator misconduct as proof against an entire framework, or makes broad allegations without reference to the applicable legal framework, licence conditions, public register, verification tools, or compliance obligations.”

The organisation did not identify any specific examples that prompted the statement. It concluded by reaffirming its commitment to maintaining what it described as a practical, transparent, and commercially accessible licensing framework while reminding operators that they remain responsible for lawful conduct in the markets they choose to serve. It also directed stakeholders to its public register for licence verification and approved domain information.

Source:

“A note on public commentary regarding Anjouan Gaming licences”, linkedin.com “Anjouan Gaming”, Jun 10, 2026