Nevis iGaming Licence: Requirements, Fees & Timelines

The global online gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the digital economy. Driven by rapid technological advances, the global spread of high-speed internet, and the continuing demand for interactive entertainment, iGaming has expanded into a multi-billion-pound industry with enormous potential for innovation and profitability.

However, success in this competitive sector depends not only on delivering an engaging product, but also on operating under a credible and efficient regulatory regime. The choice of licensing jurisdiction is a strategic decision that affects market access, player trust, operational costs, and long-term growth potential.

The Nevis iGaming Licence has emerged as a leading option for entrepreneurs and established operators alike. Backed by modern legislation, competitive government fees, and a streamlined application process, it offers a unique balance between commercial flexibility and regulatory integrity. This in-depth guide will explore every aspect of the Nevis iGaming Licence, from its benefits and requirements to its application process, compliance duties, and competitive advantages over other jurisdictions.

The Emergence of Nevis as a Global iGaming Hub

Nevis, part of the twin-island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean, is well-known for its political stability, adherence to English common law, and long-standing reputation as an international financial services centre. For decades, the jurisdiction has attracted investment through its favourable corporate laws, robust asset protection measures, and efficient business incorporation process.

The enactment of the Nevis Online Gaming Ordinance, No. 2 of 2025, together with the Nevis Online Gaming Regulations 2025, marked a new chapter in the country’s economic diversification. These instruments introduced a modern and credible licensing regime for online gaming, designed to attract high-quality operators and suppliers from across the world.

The framework combines the agility and commercial responsiveness of newer jurisdictions with the compliance structures expected by experienced industry players. By doing so, Nevis has quickly gained traction among operators looking for a reputable but cost-effective alternative to more established – and often more expensive – licensing markets.

The Key Advantages of a Nevis iGaming Licence

When evaluating any licensing jurisdiction, operators consider several key factors: speed, cost, regulatory credibility, operational flexibility, and market access. Nevis performs strongly in each of these areas.

Credibility and Compliance Alignment
The Nevis licensing framework has been designed to meet recognised international standards in areas such as anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CFT), and responsible gaming. Holding a Nevis iGaming Licence signals to players, payment providers, and business partners that your operation is run under a serious, enforceable regulatory regime.

Dual Licence Options
Operators can apply for either a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) licence to serve players directly or a Business-to-Business (B2B) licence to provide platforms, software, or critical services to other operators. This flexibility enables both operators and suppliers to use Nevis as a base for international expansion.

Competitive Fee Structure
At €28,000 annually for either licence type, the Nevis government fee structure is significantly lower than that of many European jurisdictions. There is no gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax under the Regulations, which makes financial planning straightforward.

Efficient Processing Times
Once an application is approved by the Nevis Online Gaming Authority (NOGA), the Minister must issue the licence within seven days. Many applicants are licensed within four to six weeks of submission, provided their dossier is complete and compliant.

No Local Server Requirement
Unlike some jurisdictions that require servers to be located domestically, Nevis allows operators to host their platforms in any suitable location, provided data remains accessible to the regulator for supervision.

Supportive Corporate Environment
Nevis corporate structures offer strong asset protection, confidentiality, and flexible management arrangements. Incorporation is rapid, remote-friendly, and cost-efficient.

The Legal Framework

The Nevis iGaming regime is based on two key legal instruments:

  • Nevis Online Gaming Ordinance, No. 2 of 2025 – Establishes NOGA, defines the classes of licences, and sets out licensing conditions, enforcement powers, and offences.

  • Nevis Online Gaming Regulations 2025 – Prescribe the application forms, documentation requirements, technical standards, player protection measures, and prescribed government fees.

NOGA operates as the central licensing and compliance authority. Its responsibilities include assessing applications, recommending approval or refusal to the Minister, conducting compliance audits, and maintaining a public register of licensees.

Licence Categories

Nevis offers two main licence types:

Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Licence
For operators offering online gaming services directly to players. Covered activities include casino games, sports betting, poker, bingo, lotteries, and other games of chance or skill.

Business-to-Business (B2B) Licence
For companies providing software, platforms, game content, and other critical services to B2C operators, whether in Nevis or abroad.

A single licence can cover multiple verticals, avoiding the need for separate approvals for each product line.

Incorporation and Local Presence

Applicants must have a legal presence in Nevis. This can be achieved either by incorporating a Nevis company or registering a foreign company in Nevis. In both cases, a local registered office is mandatory.

Nevis companies are widely used in international business for their flexibility, confidentiality, and strong legal protections. Incorporation can usually be completed within a few business days, and directors and shareholders do not need to be resident in Nevis.

Licensing Requirements

Applicants must provide comprehensive corporate, personal, and technical documentation. Typical requirements include:

  • Certified copies of incorporation documents and constitutional instruments

  • Certified registers of directors, shareholders, and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)

  • Police clearance certificates for all controllers

  • Certified proof of identity and address for directors, shareholders, and UBOs

  • A detailed business plan and organisational chart

  • Bank and professional reference letters

  • Proof of domain ownership for operational websites

  • Evidence of GEO-IP blocking for restricted markets

  • Certified RNG testing certificates from an independent laboratory

  • Written AML, CFT, KYC, responsible gaming, and underage gaming policies

Government Fees

The official government fees under the 2025 Regulations are:

  • Annual licence fee (B2C) – €28,000

  • Annual licence fee (B2B) – €28,000

  • Renewal fee – €28,000

  • Additional URL – €750 per year

  • Sub-domains – €35 each (up to 49) or €15 each thereafter

  • Change request (new director, shareholder, UBO) – €1,000

  • Change request (material change of ownership) – €5,000

The Application Process

The licensing process generally follows these steps:

  1. Incorporate or register a foreign company in Nevis.

  2. Prepare the full application dossier with all corporate, personal, technical, and compliance documents.

  3. Submit the application to NOGA with the annual licence fee.

  4. NOGA conducts due diligence on all controllers and reviews the compliance framework.

  5. If satisfied, NOGA recommends the grant of the licence to the Minister.

  6. The Minister issues the licence within seven days of receiving the recommendation.

Ongoing Compliance

Once licensed, operators must:

  • Maintain financial and operational records in Nevis for at least five years

  • Submit audited financial statements within three months of the financial year end

  • File annual reports to NOGA detailing operations and compliance measures

  • Maintain up-to-date AML, KYC, and responsible gaming policies

  • Notify NOGA of any material changes in ownership or operations

Restricted Jurisdictions

Operators must block access to players in specific jurisdictions, including Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, St Kitts and Nevis, and all FATF-blacklisted countries.

Enforcement

NOGA and the Minister can suspend, revoke, or restrict a licence for non-compliance, failure to pay fees, or providing false information. Unlicensed operations are subject to enforcement, including fines and potential criminal prosecution.

Why Work With Us

At Chambers & Co, we specialise in international gaming licensing and compliance. Our team can manage the entire process, including:

  • Incorporating your Nevis company

  • Preparing and filing your licensing application

  • Drafting AML, KYC and responsible gaming policies

  • Liaising with NOGA on your behalf

  • Ensuring post-licence compliance and renewals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can one licence cover multiple types of games?
Yes. A Nevis iGaming Licence can be structured to cover multiple gaming verticals under a single authorisation. For example, you may operate casino games, sports betting, poker, bingo, and lotteries without applying for separate licences for each. This flexibility reduces both administrative burden and cost, making it easier to scale your operations.

2. Do I need a physical office in Nevis?
No. While you must maintain a registered office address in Nevis, this can be provided through a licensed local service provider. There is no requirement for your operational team to be physically based in the jurisdiction, which means you can manage your business from anywhere in the world.

3. How long does the licensing process take?
With a complete and compliant application, the process from submission to licence issuance can be completed in approximately four to six weeks. The speed depends on how quickly due diligence checks are completed and whether the application dossier is free of omissions or inconsistencies.

4. What is the renewal process?
Licences are valid for one year. Renewal requires payment of the renewal fee and submission of any updated corporate or compliance documents. Renewal applications should be made at least sixty days before the licence expiry date to avoid interruptions in authorisation.

5. Can I transfer my licence to another company?
Yes. Nevis iGaming Licences are transferable but any change in majority ownership or control requires a full due diligence review.

6. What payment methods are accepted for government fees?
Government fees are typically paid via international bank transfer in euros. Payment instructions are issued by the Nevis Online Gaming Authority upon application or renewal.

7. Are there capital requirements for applicants?
The legislation does not prescribe a fixed minimum share capital. However, applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support their operations and meet all compliance obligations.

8. Must my servers be located in Nevis?
No. There is no requirement to host your servers locally. However, you must ensure that your systems and data are accessible to the regulator for inspection and compliance monitoring.

9. Can I target players in the European Union?
Nevis imposes restrictions on certain jurisdictions, including some EU Member States such as Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain. Operators must block access to these markets via GEO-IP restrictions. Many other EU and international markets remain accessible, subject to local advertising and gaming laws.

10. Are there rules on advertising and promotions?
Yes. All advertising must be truthful, not misleading, and must not target underage or vulnerable persons. Operators must also respect the advertising laws of any jurisdiction in which they promote their services.

11. How is fairness of games ensured?
Games must be tested and certified by an independent, approved laboratory. Random number generator (RNG) certification is mandatory for applicable games, and test reports must be submitted with your application.

12. Can my website operate in multiple languages?
Yes. There are no restrictions on the languages offered. However, responsible gaming information, terms and conditions, and key compliance notices must be clearly visible and understandable to the target audience.

13. What are the responsible gaming requirements?
Operators must implement measures to prevent underage gambling, provide tools for self-exclusion, allow players to set deposit and loss limits, and display responsible gaming messages prominently. These requirements form part of your compliance obligations.

14. How are player disputes handled?
Operators must have a documented complaints procedure. Serious or unresolved disputes may be referred to the Nevis Online Gaming Authority, which has the power to investigate and require remedial action.

15. Is there a public register of licensees?
Yes. NOGA maintains an online public register showing the name of the licensee, its registered office, the class of licence held, and the status of the licence. This transparency helps build player trust.

16. Do directors or shareholders have to be residents of Nevis?
No. There are no residency requirements for directors, shareholders, or ultimate beneficial owners. However, all such persons must pass the fit-and-proper test and due diligence checks.

17. Can I hold both a B2B and a B2C licence?
Yes. It is possible for one company to hold both types of licence, provided the application meets the requirements for each and the relevant government fees are paid.

18. What are the penalties for operating without a licence?
Operating an online gaming business targeting markets that require licensing without holding an appropriate licence from Nevis (or another recognised jurisdiction) is a criminal offence under the Ordinance. Penalties can include fines, seizure of equipment, and potential prosecution.

19. Can government fees be refunded if my application is unsuccessful?
No. Application and licence fees are non-refundable, even if your application is declined. This makes it essential to ensure your dossier is complete and compliant before submission.

20. What technical standards must my platform meet?
Your gaming platform must be secure, reliable, and capable of producing accurate audit trails. It must comply with recognised industry standards for data protection, payment security, game fairness, and system integrity. Independent testing and certification will be required as part of the licensing process.