Licensing in
Vanuatu
Gaming Gateway assists with a range of bespoke iGaming services in Vanuatu, including iGaming licensing and setting up the gaming entity.
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Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a tropical island in the South Pacific and has been issuing gambling licences for over 30 years.
The jurisdiction is an established player in the iGaming sector and provides a clear, cost-effective regulatory regime, designed specifically for digital business models, and covers a broad range of gambling activities.
Vanuatu offers operators with a business friendly environment, with competitive tax rates and its credible licence is well-regarded by banks, PSPs and B2B partners.
Key advantages
Fast & efficient process
Vanuatu offers operators with an efficient licensing process that can facilitated entirely online. The streamlined framework has formed its quick application to approval process, taking just 6-9 weeks in total. Business set up in Vanuatu is also swift and takes 1-3 weeks.
Tax-friendly landscape
Vanuatu provides a highly competitive fiscal environment for operators, with as little as 1% on gross gambling revenue. It also has zero corporate taxes, no VAT or capital gains taxes, making Vanuatu a business friendly location that supports growth.
International recognition
Vanuatu's regulator, the Vanuatu Gaming Control Board (VGCB) is recognised for its commitment to fair and responsible gambling and provides a credible licence that is recognised in international markets, including grey and emering jurisdictions. It is a member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and adheres to the IAGR’s Code of Conduct.
Low fees
In addition to the competitive tax rates, Vanuatu offers operators with considerably low licensing fees. With annual licence costs as low as $10,000, Vanuatu is a great option for start-up operators seeking to minimise costs and maximise profits.
Vanuatu licences
The Vanuatu B2C Interactive Gambling Licence is specifically designed for operators providing gambling services directly to players. The licence covers a broad variety of games, including online casino, sports betting, poker, lotteries, bingo and more. The licence includes two URLs and has the option to add more with a minimal fee. The licence is suitable for B2C operators looking to target pre-regulated markets. The cost for the licence is a £5,000 application fee and $10,000 annual renewal fee.
The Vanuatu B2B Interactive Gambling Licence is suitable for operators who develop and provide software to B2C operators. This includes software, white-label platforms and payment processors. The licensing fees are the same as the B2C licence, however the requirements are slightly less stringent and focuses on technical standards. The licence includes two URLs and has the option to add more with a minimal fee. The licence is valid for up to 15 years, however requires an annual renewal to ensure compliance standards are being met.
Licence requirements
In order to apply for a licence, the operator must fulfill several legal, technical and compliance requirements. The applicant is required to incorporate a company in Vanuatu, with at least Vt10 million capital, a local registered office and at least 1 local director. The company is required to submit corporate documentation and key persons are subject to a due-dilligence process which involves background checks and personal documentation.
As part of the licensing process, the operator is requested to submit a detailed business plan, containing 3-year financial projections, proof of sufficient capital, details on the company structure, products and services, target markets, marketing, technical infrastructure, and AML policies.
Gaming Gateway assists clients in meeting all the licence requirements and provides dedicated support throughout the entire process.
Licence Timeframe
Vanuatu offers a very quick licensing process which takes just 6-8 weeks in total. The applicant is required to set up a Vanuatu company which generally takes up to 2 weeks and submit a licence application which takes around 4-8 weeks.
Prior to the licensing process, we will work closely with you to set up your iGaming entity and prepare your licence application. This generally depends on how quickly you can provide us with the information and documentation required for the licence.
How to obtain the Licence
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1. Book a free consultation
Speak with our team to discuss your business model and licence you would like to apply for. We can answer any of your questions and outline the process in further detail.
2. Receive a bespoke fee proposal
After the call, we will share with you a bespoke fee proposal which outlines your requirements, our services and the costs involved.
3. Licence application
Once you accept the fee proposal, we begin the licence application process straight away. We also request clients to complete our due-dilligence process which is utilised in the licence application.
4. Company set-up
Once you have passed our due-dilligence, we establish your company and open your corporate bank account.
5. Apply for licence
Once we have completed your licence application, including creating a comprehensive business plan, we assist with applying for the licence.
6. Go live
Once your licence application has been approved, we assist you with operational aspects, and provide support with on-going compliance and reporting.
Vanuatu FAQs
Demonstrate site readiness and an operational gaming platform, with domains, SSL and hosting. Demonstrate game fairness with RNG certification or provably fair tests from accredited labs. Maintain AML/KYC & responsible gaming policies in line with global standards and nominate a responsible person for regulator liaison.
The applicant must incorporate a company in Vanuatu with at least Vt10 million capital, with a registered office and local director. The applicant will be required to provide corporate documents, including certificate of incorporation, a company structure chart, audited accounts and more. Key persons of the gaming entity will be subject to background checks and are required to submit personal documentation.
A Vanuatu licence provides wide market access, specifically for the grey, pre-regulated markets. This includes Latin America, Brazil*, Chile, Peru, Argentina (some provinces), Southeast Asia (India, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia), Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania (unless a local licence is required)) and CIS & Eastern Europe (Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan).
Yes, Vanuatu is widely accepted by many crypto PSPs, aggregators, and B2B providers. Some Tier 1 PSPs and banks may require enhanced due diligence or prefer EU-based licences like MGA or Isle of Man. Game providers (like Pragmatic, Evolution) generally accept Vanuatu-licensed partners, depending on risk thresholds.
Yes, Vanuatu is crypto-friendly and enables operators to accept BTC, ETH, USDT and other tokens, serve decentralized or anonymous players (with internal KYC protocols) and operate hybrid fiat/crypto casinos or sportsbooks.
A wide variety of eGaming business models suit Vanuatu due to the jurisdictions wide licence coverage and low costs. The regulatory framework has been designed with digital business models in mind and covers a broad range of gambling activites, including online B2C casinos, crypto casinos, sports betting platforms, poker rooms, lotteries and white-label platforms. The licence provides wide market access into the grey, pre-regulated markets, ideal for operators seeking to target the emerging, global markets.
Your gateway into the game
Our team of professionals hold decades of experience in the iGaming sector. We've assisted some of the largest global brands with their licensing and corporate service needs.
We are experts in regulation, compliance, and corporate governance. Our support is designed to simplify and ease regulatory pressures, allowing you to focus on driving business growth.
As your global iGaming partner, we are committed to exceeding your expectations and ensuring your long-term success.
Ready to licence?
If you have a licence already in mind, complete the form below and our team will be in touch.
If you'd like expert advice on choosing the right licence for your business model, please complete the form or contact our team directly.
