
Tuvalu gambling license
Last Update: 18.03.2026
Tuvalu is a dynamically developing Pacific nation that is actively forming a modern system for regulating online gambling. The Tuvalu gambling license is aimed at attracting international operators and B2B investors, while providing structured regulatory requirements for launching gaming projects and entering the global market. Gofaizen & Sherle provides legal support in choosing the optimal corporate and investment model, collecting and submitting all necessary documents during the registration of a legal entity, opening payment accounts, and interacting with licensing authorities.
What is a Tuvalu gaming license?
A Tuvalu gaming license is an official permit that provides legal certainty and favorable conditions for online operators when scaling their business. When introducing licensing innovations, the Tuvalu regulator focused on the international market (online casinos, sports betting, poker, etc.) and created simplified conditions for both new and existing companies to enter the market.
The license allows gaming services to be provided online worldwide, except in countries where a local license is required, such as the US, UK, Australia, and the EU (permission from the local regulator is required).
According to data for 2025, 17 international licenses have already been issued in Tuvalu, with the regulator’s revenue amounting to €12.8 million.
The license allows operators to legally integrate with international PSP/EMI, accept payments via Visa/Mastercard bank cards, crypto payments (BTC, ETH, USDT), e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, etc.), and bank transfers.
Who Is Tuvalu Ideal For?
The Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA) has created attractive conditions for the development of:
- Startups and fast-growing projects that have decided to test a new product and enter the market without significant investment and a lengthy application process.
- Technology platforms that legally launch both classic online games and innovative web content on the global market.
- Crypto/Web3 projects, as it is one of the most friendly jurisdictions supporting the fintech sector and crypto payments, subject to passing AML procedures.
- Operators of new casinos (medium/small businesses) who have decided to scale up their operations due to the low cost of licensing and the absence of tax burdens.
- Bookmakers without the need to register a local company.
Activities Covered Under the License
The gambling license in Tuvalu covers key areas of the industry:
- Online casinos (B2C): slot casinos, live casinos.
- Poker rooms: PvP poker, online tournaments.
- Lotteries: digital lotteries, instant draws, tombola, raffle, keno.
- Online bingo, TV tickets.
- P2P betting platforms, virtual sports, live betting, fantasy sports.
- Crypto casinos, Web3 gambling.
- B2B providers – casino software, game server hosting, RNG game developers.
No license is required for:
- Affiliates (webmasters) who advertise casinos but do not accept bets.
- Platforms without payment acceptance and without RNG (if the company is focused solely on website creation).
Overview of the Tuvalu Gaming License
The key regulator is the Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA), which is responsible for:
- Issuing offshore licenses for online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, etc.
- Monitoring compliance with AML/KYC standards.
- Monitoring domains and gaming systems.
- Renewing licenses for one year and conducting audits of operators.
Tuvalu Gaming Licensing Inc. is a TGA agent that accepts applications and interacts with operators in a timely manner when applying for a gaming license in Tuvalu.
This modern jurisdiction is focused on supporting innovation and optimizing the regulatory and administrative burden when entering the market because:
- There is no obligation to register a local company; you can use the existing corporate structure of any jurisdiction.
- There are no taxes (0% corporate tax), no requirements for authorized capital and hiring resident employees or an AML manager.
- Minimal bureaucracy, prompt decision-making on licensing within 1 month, which is significantly faster than in the EU, US, and other strictly regulated jurisdictions.
- A wide range of activities from online casinos and sports betting to crypto projects.
- Interaction with various payment providers and EMI is available.
Comparison: Tuvalu vs Malta vs Curacao vs Anguilla
| Criterion | Tuvalu (TGA) | Malta (MGA) | Curacao (GCB/CRA) | Anguilla (FSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of jurisdiction | Offshore | Top EU regulator | Offshore | Offshore |
| Time to obtain | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 months | 1-3 months | 1-2 months |
| Cost | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
| Company structure requirements | Minimum | High | Average | Minimum |
| Crypto support | High | Limited | High | High |
| Control and audit | Moderate | Very strict | Moderate | Moderate |
| Suitable for startups | Yes, low costs | No, very high entry threshold | Yes, low costs | Yes, low costs |
Key Advantages of the Tuvalu Gaming License
The jurisdiction offers a fast and flexible licensing process. The Tuvalu iGaming License allows operators to enjoy the following benefits:
No costs for registering a local company
An already registered international company can obtain a license; there is no need to hire local staff or maintain an office.
Fast market entry
The regulator makes a decision within 2-4 weeks upon submission of a minimum set of documents to the TGA. This efficient approach allows you to launch your business much faster than in the EU, the US, Curacao, or Antigua, connect to PSP/EMI, start marketing, and minimize risks while waiting for the regulator’s decision.
Affordable cost
For startups and small/medium-sized companies, the cost of a license is quite affordable at $15,850. Compared to Malta and other Caribbean jurisdictions, this is one of the most profitable options for operating in the online gambling market.
Tax-free model
Zero taxation for iGaming without paying income tax, gambling revenue tax (GGR), dividend tax, or royalty tax allows you to increase the profitability of your business and reinvest in the development of your project in the future.
PSP/EMI support
International payment services interact with licensed operators in Tuvalu and support Visa/Mastercard acquiring, crypto payments, e-wallets, etc.
Recognition in international markets
Operators can provide their services without geographical restrictions, except in areas where permission from the local regulator is required (EU, US, UK, etc.).
Optimal compliance requirements
The regulator requires compliance with basic AML/CFT procedures, including disclosure of business structure and domain verification.
Requirements and compliance for obtaining a Tuvalu iGaming license
The regulator has set moderate requirements for submitting documents for a Tuvalu online gaming license. The main goal of the TGA is to protect the rights of customers and the reputation of operators without establishing excessive oversight or complex bureaucratic procedures.
When applying to the TGA, you must provide:
- Passport details of the UBO and key managers, which will be used for verification against sanctions lists, PEP, court registers, etc.
- Proof of residence (valid for up to 3 months), documents confirming permanent residence.
- Company incorporation documents (from any jurisdiction): Articles of Association, Memorandum, Minutes/Resolutions, register of directors, register of shareholders.
- Detailed description of the business model, including the type of games, target market, company structure, game provider, and payment provider.
- Description of AML policies: KYC for all players (identity verification), age verification (18+), prevention of registration from prohibited countries, verification through sanctions lists, international databases (OFAC, EU).
- Transaction monitoring, reporting of suspicious activity, risk assessment.
- Agreements with game providers, supplier licenses, RNG certificates, DDoS protection protocols.
- Name of hosting provider, country of location, information on data protection and backup.
- Fair play rules, dispute resolution mechanisms, self-exclusion procedures.
The following are not required for registration in Tuvalu:
- Local office, address.
- Local server, which can be located in any country in Europe, Asia, etc.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Minimum capital or reserve.
The process of obtaining a Tuvalu gaming license (step-by-step guide)
Step 1: Preparatory.
Before submitting an application, corporate information is collected and analyzed:
- Information about beneficiaries, owners, directors.
- Description of the business model.
- Constituent documents.
Step 2: Application completion.
TGA evaluates the content of the document package, the company’s structure, compliance with legal requirements, the transparency of the business structure, and compliance with international compliance standards.
Step 3: Final approval.
During the application review process, TGA may request additional documents for due diligence. After receiving notification of application approval, the operator must pay $15,850 (annual license fee).
Step 4: License issuance.
After confirmation of payment of all fees, the operator has the right to carry out gaming activities within the scope of the issued license.
Step 5: Integration with payment systems and launch of operations.
International PSP/EMI services are happy to cooperate with licensed operators, allowing them to accept any type of electronic payment from customers.
Costs
At the stage of obtaining a Tuvalu betting license, the operator incurs the following costs:
Initial Fees:
- There is no regulatory fee for reviewing the application.
- There is no minimum amount of authorized capital.
- No financial guarantees or deposits are required.
Annual Fees:
- Annual license fee – $15,850.
- Corporate tax – 0%.
- No additional gaming taxes apply.
Optional Costs:
- Legal entity registration (outside Tuvalu).
- Opening of payment accounts (PSP, EMI).
- Preparation of AML policies.
- Integration of technical providers.
Taxation
Tuvalu gambling regulation provides international operators with favorable tax conditions:
- 0% corporate tax on income from gambling activities outside the jurisdiction.
- No income tax.
- No direct taxes on turnover or gross revenue from gambling.
- There is no tax on dividends and payments to beneficiaries.
- There are no local audit requirements.
Why Work With GoFaizen & Sherle
Comprehensive legal support from GoFaizen & Sherle allows investors and operators to focus on developing their business, attracting new customers, and expanding their activities without spending time on:
- Preparing documents for submission to the TGA.
- Completing KYC/Due Diligence procedures.
- Preparing applications.
- Interacting with the regulator.
- Registering a legal entity in the chosen jurisdiction.
- Opening bank accounts.
- Setting up compliance procedures.
GoFaizen & Sherle ensures full compliance with international compliance and AML/KYC standards, compliance with applicable local legislation, and successful interaction with regulators.
FAQ about Tuvalu gambling license
How long does it take to obtain a Tuvalu gambling license?
Obtaining a license in Tuvalu can take up to 1 month if the package of documents is correctly compiled.
How much does the Tuvalu gaming license cost?
The annual cost of the license is $15,850, with no additional fees.
Do I need a local company in Tuvalu to apply?
No, registration of a local company is not required. You can use an existing corporate structure.
Is the Tuvalu gambling license tax-free?
Yes, operators are exempt from corporate tax, GGR, and other fees.
What gambling activities are covered by the license?
The license covers a wide range of activities: online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, etc.
Are crypto casinos allowed under the Tuvalu license?
Yes, the license allows crypto casinos and Web-3 projects with digital payment integration to operate.
Do I need local directors, staff, or an office?
No, you do not need to hire local employees, and there is no need for a local office.
Are local servers or hosting required?
No, you can use international hosting solutions.
What documents are required to apply?
Documents required for KYC/Due Diligence of beneficiaries, managers, as well as documents confirming registration in any jurisdiction, description of the business model and technical characteristics.
How reputable and stable is the Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA)?
The TGA is a regulator whose license is recognized by international payment systems, banking structures, and other jurisdictions.
Explore other Gaming Licenses
Connect with our experts
Our experts will tell you how to do it as quickly and easily as possible.


By clicking the button, I confirm that I have read the privacy policy and consent to the collection and processing of my personal data in accordance with the GDPR rules.