The island nation of Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific Ocean, has always taken a vastly different approach to Australia when it comes to digital gaming. The Vanuatu government was one of the first to issue online casino licenses as early as the 1990s.
Vanuatu Revamps Online Casino Licensing to Attract Global Operators
In an announcement made in July 2024, Macyn White (CEO of the Vanuatu Gaming Authority) and MP John Salong outlined plans to revamp their online casino licensing system to better serve operators targeting pre-regulated markets.
The new licensing process is conducted entirely online, with a review system that highlights areas operators may need to amend to qualify. Here are the specifics:
- $5,370 application fee
- $10,700 annual licensing fee
- Validity period of 15 years from the issue date
- 1% Wagering Activity Tax on Gross Gaming Revenue
- 2 URLs included per license, with an additional fee for extra URLs as part of white label solutions
The Vanuatu Department of Customs and Inland Revenue serves as the gambling regulator, while VGA Limited is responsible for processing applications, feedback, and licensing rights.
The goal of the new licensing framework is to position Vanuatu as a key player in the growing iGaming industry while ensuring operators meet stricter compliance standards—even when operating in markets without local licensing, such as India, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. MP John Salong stated:
“While creating the new framework, we were guided by the ever-stricter compliance requirements the eGaming industry operates under. It was clear from the outset that our new regulations had to strike an important balance between complying with the highest standards and leaving licensees sufficient freedoms to do what they do best: operate their businesses.”
Despite the framework being in place for nearly a year, we have yet to see a significant number of Australian online casinos applying for a Vanuatu license. Most operators either run without a license or operate under a Curacao permit. M88 Casino, a smaller operator focused on the Asian gambling market, is among the few gambling sites licensed by Vanuatu.
The Vanuatu licensing body could gain traction if Curacao, Anjouan, and other offshore iGaming regulators decide to stop issuing permits to sites operating in Australia. If that happens, we’ll keep you updated in this space.
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Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
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