Gambling and online casinos in Comoros

Comoros is a small state in the Indian Ocean,

• which, thanks to its progressive legislation

has become one of the most attractive jurisdictions for international online casinos and betting operators.

Although the domestic gambling market is small,

• Comoros are actively developing the eGaming licensing system,

focused on foreign companies.

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Historical context

Gambling activity in Comoros began to develop in the 1990th,

during the period of economic reform and liberalization.

In 1999, the government adopted Gaming Ordinance No. 99-001,

which legalized casinos, lotteries, and bookmakers.

The key step was the adoption of the Online Gambling Regulation Act (2011),

which opened Comoros to international operators.

This initiative turned the country into an "offshore gambling licensing center,"

similar to Malta or Curaçao, but with more flexible requirements.

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Legislation and regulation

Gambling is regulated by Comoros Gaming Act 1999,

as well as updated provisions of eGaming Regulation 2011 and Tax Code 2017.

Regulator: Comoros Gaming Authority (CGA)

under the Ministry of Finance and Investment.

Main provisions:

• licensing of all forms of gambling;
• license term - 5 years;
• the minimum age of a player is 18 years;
• operator income tax - 3% (one of the lowest in the world);
• licences are issued to international companies registered in the Comoros;
• online gambling and crypto casinos are officially allowed;
• mandatory reporting and KYC checks of players.

Thanks to a flexible taxation system

• Comors have become one of the most popular platforms for online gambling operators,

especially in Europe, Asia and Africa.

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Legal forms of gambling

In Comoros, the following are allowed:

• land-based casinos and gaming clubs;
• online casinos and live platforms;
• bookmakers;
• national and international lotteries;
• virtual games and sweepstakes.

Major licensed companies:

• BetWorld International Ltd. - operator with European coverage;
• ComoroGaming S.A. - the first local eGaming provider;
• LuckyStar Global Ltd., 1xCorp NV (subsidiaries of international brands).

The domestic casino market is limited to a few establishments in the capital Moroni,

but the main activity is concentrated in the online sector and international licensing.

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Online gambling

Online gambling is a key area of ​ ​ the Comor gambling business.

Country offers licenses for international online operators

• on a model similar to Malta or Curaçao,

but with less bureaucratic demands.

Advantages of Comorian license:

• recognition in international payment systems;
• simple registration (up to 4 weeks);
• minimum income tax - 3%;
• the ability to work with cryptocurrencies and fintech payments;
• access to African, European and Asian markets.

Popular destinations:

• online casinos and live games with dealers;
• sports and esports betting;
• poker and lottery platforms;
• crypto-gambling and DeFi-betting.

Payment systems:

• M-Pesa Comores, Airtel Money, Orange Money;
• bank transfers (Banque pour l'Industrie et le Commerce, Exim Bank Comores);
• cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, Litecoin).

According to Global eGaming Index 2024,

more than 120 licensed online operators are registered in the Comoros,

and the total turnover of their platforms exceeds $500 million per year.

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Economic role

The gambling business has become a significant source of foreign exchange earnings for the state.

Key indicators (2024):

• the share of eGaming in GDP - 2.3%;
• tax revenues - $12 million per year;
• more than 500 jobs in licensing and IT;
• growth of international registrations - + 18% per year.

Licensing revenues are used to finance

• educational and technological programs,

including the development of national digital infrastructure.

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Social and cultural context

Comoros is a Muslim country,

however, the government has a pragmatic and secular policy on gambling.

The bulk of gambling is focused on the export of services,

rather than to the domestic market.

Operators must comply with the following principles:

• protection of minors;
• responsible gambling;
• transparency of transactions.

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Prospects

Comoros aim to become the leading eGaming licensing hub in Africa and the Indian Ocean,

competing with Malta, Curaçao and the Seychelles.

Priorities until 2030:

• implementation of a single digital licensing portal (Comoros eLicense Portal);
• development of regulation of cryptocurrency and Web3 casinos;
• creation of an IT zone in Moroni to attract developers;
• cooperation with the EU and UAE on license certification.

Forecast: by 2030, Comoros may reach a market volume of $1 billion,

of which 90% will be for online gambling and licensing.

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Comoros is the world's next-generation jurisdiction,

which combines flexibility, security and international recognition.

Legal licensing, low taxes and openness to innovation

make the country attractive to operators from all over the world.