SlotA CuraƧao licence is meaningfully safer than an Anjouan one. Since its December 2024 LOK reform, CuraƧao issues licences directly, keeps a public register, and now mandates independent dispute resolution for players. Anjouan is cheaper and faster but has minimal oversight, weak recourse, and its legal validity is openly disputed by Comorosā own central bank.
If you play at crypto or international casinos, youāll keep seeing both names in the footer. Both are budget offshore licences, and neither is close to top-tier regulators like the UKGC or Malta. But they are not equivalent, and the gap has widened sharply since CuraƧaoās 2024 reforms.
Quick comparison
| Dimension | CuraƧao (CGA / LOK) | Anjouan (Comoros) |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | CuraƧao Gaming Authority (statutory) | Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority / Gaming Board |
| Legal standing | National ordinance (LOK, in force 24 Dec 2024) | Disputed ā Comoros central bank says the licences arenāt valid nationally |
| Licensing model | Direct; old master/sub-licence system abolished | Direct but light-touch, fast-track |
| Public register | Yes ā licensees publicly listed | Limited / operator-level only |
| Dispute recourse | Mandatory independent ADR for B2C operators (from July 2025) | No meaningful independent recourse |
| Cost to operator | Higher; more scrutiny | ~ā¬17,000āā¬18,000; no GGR tax |
| Time to obtain | Slower, more vetting | ~2ā4 weeks |
| Reputation | Historically weak, now reforming | Cheap-and-fast; widely viewed as a red flag |
CuraƧao: a real reform, not just a rebrand
For years CuraƧao was the punchline of offshore licensing ā a master-licence holder could sell unlimited sub-licences with almost no supervision. The National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) came into force on 24 December 2024, abolishing that model and transferring full authority to the CuraƧao Gaming Authority (CGA). Licences are now issued directly, recorded in a public register, and supervised; legacy sub-licences expired in January 2025.
Crucially for players, from July 2025 every B2C operator must use an approved independent ADR entity (a body separate from the operator, staffed with a qualified lawyer and experienced gaming staff) to handle complaints support canāt resolve. Players get up to six months to file; responsible-gaming complaints must be handled within five business days. This framework was driven partly by the high-profile BC.Game non-payment cases of late 2024.
One honest caveat: the CGA itself does not arbitrate individual player disputes ā your recourse runs through the operatorās mandated ADR, not the regulator directly.
Anjouan: cheap, fast ā and legally shaky
Anjouan, an island in the Union of the Comoros, has become the go-to āshortcutā licence: roughly ā¬17,000āā¬18,000 in fees, no GGR tax, and issuance in about two to four weeks. That speed and price are exactly the problem ā light vetting means far less scrutiny of whether an operator can actually pay winnings, and there is no independent dispute body comparable to CuraƧaoās new ADR requirement. Reviews of Anjouan-licensed sites surface recurring complaints of non-payment and unresponsive dispute handling.
More seriously, the licenceās legal footing is contested. Reporting citing the 2024 FATF-GALI evaluation notes gambling is prohibited under the Comorian Penal Code, and the Central Bank of the Comoros has publicly stated that offshore licences from these bodies are not recognised under national law. We flag this as reported by industry and legal sources rather than something we can independently adjudicate ā but it is documented, not rumour.
Honest guidance
If your only options are these two, a post-2024 CuraƧao (CGA/LOK) licence is the safer bet ā a public register, ongoing supervision, and a mandated independent dispute path. An Anjouan licence should be treated as a caution flag: fine for a quick spin with money you can afford to lose, but donāt park a large balance there. Whatever the licence: verify it directly on the regulatorās register, withdraw regularly, keep screenshots, and complete KYC early. A licence is a floor, not a promise.
Sources
- CuraƧao Gaming Authority ā online gaming
- CuraƧao ADR roll-out (iGaming Business)
- Anjouan iGaming licence guide (SOFTSWISS)
- Examining the Anjouan licence (TradePass)
- CuraƧao licence overview (Coincub)
General information, not legal advice. 18+. Play responsibly.