When we first created the Online Anjouan Casinos website, our idea was to create a safe space for our players. A place where they can learn more about the best online casinos on the market, the ones that operate under Anjouan licenses, but also the other licenses that can rival Anjouan.
Why are casino licenses so important? If you are new to the market, you might not be aware of the importance of casino licenses, but we are here to tell you more about it. A casino with a valid gambling license adheres to standard requirements and regulations set by a governing body. While these requirements vary between agencies, they often include security features, fair play games, and responsible gambling tools.
When talking about Anjouan casinos, we mean the casinos that Anjouan Gaming licenses. A rivaling body that you will often find compared to Anjouan Gaming is the Malta Gambling Authority. Long considered a gold standard in casino licensing, the MGA is a strict regulatory body that ensures player protection, while Anjouan is more of a budget-friendly option geared toward startups.
What else separates these two? Glad you asked – we’ve dedicated this guide to the features that make Anjouan and MGA online casinos different, so stick around to learn more about them.
Understanding Anjouan’s Role in the Online Gambling Industry
Anjouan is a small island part of the Union of the Comoros. Although not that well-known in general, it’s become quite important to online gambling because it has a local regulatory agency that provides gambling licenses to interested platforms. The only downside is that it’s quite new, and as such, it is not considered the most reliable or well-established agency.
Still, there are many benefits to applying for an Anjouan gambling license. For one, this license gives platforms global reach in otherwise unregulated jurisdictions. The only exceptions are larger markets with their own regulatory bodies, such as the UK or the US. Besides the global reach, Anjouan doesn’t require much from its applicants – just a company registered in Anjouan. The company doesn’t even need a physical location on the island to apply for and earn the license.
On the downside, Anjouan doesn’t have strict regulatory compliances that companies must follow. There are no KYC checks, AML policies, or responsible gambling tools. This might not fit players looking to gamble only at safe platforms, thus deterring them from these casinos. However, there are still enough industry-standard security features that give these licenses an edge over unlicensed casinos.
A Deep Dive into MGA’s Online Casino Regulation
MGA stands for Malta Gaming Authority, one of the most well-known gambling regulators in the world. It has been a part of the iGaming market since 2001, offering its licenses to countless online casinos, sportsbooks, lotteries, and other gambling platforms based in Malta. Many players opt for casinos licensed by this agency because the casinos must provide fairness in the game lobby, enhanced player protection measures, and responsible gambling tools. This makes the MGA licensing process stricter than that of Anjouan Gaming.
Usually, casinos that opt for MGA licenses are looking to expand their reach across Europe, as this license is predominantly focused on that region. While the licensing process is strict, that ensures that the casinos will have transparent terms and strong complaint handling, along with games and systems tested for fairness. This is all beneficial for players, meaning that the casinos can expect many gamblers to join because of the safety they provide.
Still, there are a few downsides worth mentioning. While Anjouan Gaming is known for its crypto integration and blockchain technology, the MGA offers limited cryptocurrency support. This means it’s not that suitable for crypto casinos. The mandatory KYC checks may deter players who want an easier route to their winnings. While many may not view these features as negative, they still separate MGA casinos from other platforms.
Understanding the Differences Between MGA and Anjouan Gambling Licenses
While we’ve already mentioned the essential information regarding both MGA and Anjouan gambling licenses, we also want to go more in-depth into the features that separate these two options. This is important for the players to understand, as it can help them determine which option fits their betting style best. Let’s talk about these differences in greater detail:
Regulatory Strength
The MGA has one of the strictest licensing processes among regulatory bodies. When applying for this license, you must be prepared to undergo background checks for each company member, provide fairness audits, agree to ongoing monitoring, and provide additional accounts to protect players’ funds at all times.
This is not the case with Anjouan casinos, which undergo a less strict licensing process. Getting the license is easier and quicker because the oversight is minimal from the beginning. Still, there is due diligence on the company and the employees applying for a license, so you should not think Anjouan would just give a license to anyone to request one.
Licensing Process
When applying for a license from the MGA, you need a fully functioning company with a physical presence in the country. In addition to providing countless documents for the company and its employees, you must have a detailed business plan, technical setups, RNG certification, and other documents to pass the licensing process.
With Anjouan, the documentation is minimal, allowing the licensing process to be quicker. You can receive your license within two to four weeks, while with the MGA, you might have to wait over six months to receive information on whether the license is approved, not to mention the time it takes to start your company when in Anjouan, it can take only 24 hours!
Cost of Licensing
License costs are another deciding factor that can help companies determine which option is better for them. Anjouan is generally recommended for startups and companies on a budget, as the licensing costs are the lowest in the world, with the initial licensing fee costing only up to $20,000. You should also consider the low annual renewal fee that comes with the license.
As for MGA casinos, we’ve noticed that the cost of a single license can be up to $100,000, depending on the income or profit that the company makes. This can complicate the process for bigger companies, which are bound to turn to more affordable options to avoid these high costs.
Player Protection & Dispute Resolution
Dispute resolution is essential when gambling online, as it helps you know that you have the regulatory agency on your side in case of a dispute or issue with the casino or your account. This is why it’s important to look at the type of protection offered at each platform you are interested in.
MGA casinos are known to have robust player protection. Whenever you submit a claim, the MGA investigates it thoroughly, and if it determines you are right and the casino has done something wrong, it can penalize it. This is not the case with Anjouan casinos, which have no formal dispute resolution. You can contact Anjouan Gaming for help, but it is not obliged to investigate your case thoroughly.
Market Access & Recognition
If you are a company applying for a gambling license and want to target European markets, the MGA is a sure bet. It offers a license that is legal in many jurisdictions and often preferred by affiliates and payment processors. On the other hand, the Anjouan Gaming license is more focused on African, Asian, and Latin American markets. Considered an offshore license, it’s better for companies that want to target unregulated markets with limited availability in terms of online gambling.
Reputation & Trust
The MGA has a reputation for being a trusted and reliable regulatory agency not only because it has been a part of the iGaming market for longer but also because it has robust security measures that protect players when they use one of the MGA-licensed casinos. As for Anjouan, it’s relatively new, and as such, it has yet to establish itself in the market. We know it to be a safe and reliable agency, but it still lacks some features, especially in terms of player safety. Thus, the casinos operating under such licenses are considered high-risk casinos and avoided by many players.
Responsible Gambling Requirements
Responsible gambling measures and tools are perfect to help problem gamblers stay safe when using online casinos. While most of the casinos we’ve reviewed offer at least some of these measures, MGA casinos tend to have a better selection of tools than Anjouan casinos. You can find anything from deposit, wager, loss, session limits, self-exclusion, help organizations, and self-assessment tests at MGA platforms.
Anjouan Casinos offer some responsible gambling measures but are not obliged to do so. It’s most common to find a section with responsible gambling tips and self-exclusion that you can activate through customer support. Some more tools can surely come in handy, so we’d love to see Anjouan Gaming make them mandatory for its licensees.
AML & KYC Compliance
AML stands for anti-money laundering services and shows how dedicated a casino is to protecting players’ funds. When playing at MGA casinos, you can count on such policies being mandatory. This means that you will usually need to make transactions to and from your account using the same payment method, while you’ll also have to use a method in your name.
Anjouan casinos have minimal AML enforcement. They are also quite relaxed when it comes to KYC checks, often not asking players to complete them at all. If they are mandatory, they are to be completed before the first withdrawal, while with MGA casinos, you should verify your profile as soon as possible after registration.
Support for Cryptocurrencies
Crypto support is where Anjouan casinos shine, as the Anjouan license allows full crypto integration for all online casinos and sportsbooks. It also ensures that casinos can add various cryptocurrencies to their cashiers, including popular options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and others.
The MGA is still not very crypto-friendly, so it is not that suitable for casinos looking to promote themselves as crypto-gaming hubs. The cashiers of MGA licenses include only fiat currencies, but at least they collaborate with some of the safest payment processors on the market.
Transparency and Public License Database
With both the MGA and Anjouan Gaming, you can easily find the license database online, showing all platforms currently operating under valid licenses. The MGA shows the licensee’s name, authorization status, and gaming service. As for Anjouan Gaming, you can find the licensee’s name, the license registration number, the type of license, and the expiration date. You’ll also notice that some companies have multiple licensed casinos under their name, eliminating unnecessary costs for managers operating multiple casinos!
MGA or Anjouan – Which License Is Better for Players?
The final choice of a casino license comes down to your preferences, as the MGA and Anjouan Gaming have certain features that make them stand out on the market. In terms of safety and regulation, the MGA licenses stand out. However, Anjouan Casinos offer enhanced anonymity, crypto support, and lenient restrictions. So, keep this in mind when making your decision!
Are casinos with Anjouan licenses legal?
- It depends on which country you are playing from. Anjouan casinos are legal on the global market and offer services in various countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, they are unavailable and illegal to players connecting from the UK or the USA.
Do MGA and Anjouan casinos require identity verification?
- Casinos operating under an MGA license must request players to verify their identity through a KYC check that requires images of their ID, proof of address, and, often, proof of payment method ownership. This is not mandatory at Anjouan casinos, although some casinos add these measures to show players they care for their safety.
How can I verify an Anjouan or MGA casino license online?
- While you can always look into the public license registers for these regulatory bodies, you can also open your preferred casino, scroll to the footer section, and check for the information there. Alternatively, you can check the terms and conditions for more information.