What does “cheap” need to mean?
Define the available funding, launch scope and period the business must survive without expected revenue. A low initial payment can still lead to a high funding requirement through recurring charges, supplier commitments or settlement restrictions.
The relevant question is whether the business can lawfully launch and sustain its controls within the budget. A fee comparison that ignores market permission or payments can select a route that never becomes usable.
Which gates should a constrained budget pass?
Use these gates before comparing provider packages.
- The intended product is permitted under the proposed route.
- Destination markets have been assessed independently.
- The entity and ownership requirements can be met.
- Payment and banking feasibility has been investigated truthfully.
- The budget funds ongoing compliance and customer obligations.
- The downside case leaves sufficient liquidity.
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How should low-fee claims be checked?
Use the regulator’s published schedule where available and separate it from agent or service-provider charges. Anjouan Gaming’s schedule, for example, lists equal issuance and annual-renewal fees of €17,828; an old estimate of €15,000 renewal should not drive a current decision.
A published low fee does not prove broad legal acceptance, easy banking or a guaranteed timeline. Request evidence for each of those claims separately. Avoid translating a commercial comparison into a promise about regulatory outcomes.
What can be reduced without hiding a control gap?
Consider a smaller assessed market scope, fewer products or a staged supplier rollout. Recalculate the business case for that narrower operation. The reduction must be reflected in actual marketing and platform availability.
Do not save money by omitting required verification, player protection, reporting or testing. If the project cannot fund necessary controls, the appropriate conclusion may be that the proposed launch scope is not currently affordable.
How should a decision be recorded?
Compare a realistic base case and downside case for each feasible route. Record the assumptions, excluded markets, unconfirmed costs and reasons for the choice.
Keep the full budget in the licence-cost guide and the regulator fit in the jurisdiction-selection guide. This page’s purpose is the affordability decision: whether the limited budget can support a compliant operation, rather than awarding an unsupported global “cheapest licence” title.
An ABC News investigation published on 31 December 2025 quoted a former Comoros attorney-general who called Anjouan Licensing Services illegal. This is an attributed challenge to the proposed issuer's authority, not a court finding made here. Its own register is not independent verification. Examine the legal basis with independent counsel before treating Anjouan as a feasible option; the detailed Anjouan licence guide explains the fees and checks. Full Anjouan licence analysis.
Sources and scope
- Anjouan Gaming — current fee schedule
- European Commission — national gambling regimes
- UKGC — application evidence
- ABC News — investigation of Anjouan Licensing Services
This guide was prepared with AI assistance using the linked sources. It provides general information and practical preparation suggestions, not a legal opinion for a particular business. No personal professional review is claimed.
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