🇦🇬 Antigua & Barbuda · Financial Services Regulatory Commission — Directorate of Offshore Gaming (FSRC)
Antigua & Barbuda Online Gambling Licence — 2026
A pioneer offshore licence — Antigua & Barbuda licensed the first online casinos in the mid-1990s and famously won a WTO case against the US over market access.
Offshore — Cost-effective, weak supervisionAntigua & Barbuda was first. It licensed some of the world's earliest online casinos in the mid-1990s and later won a landmark WTO case against the United States over cross-border gambling access. The history gives the licence a certain standing.
Today it's a low-tax offshore option — 3% of net win, capped monthly — run by the FSRC's Directorate of Offshore Gaming. The reputational signal sits below tier-1, and banking can be harder to arrange, but for grey-market operators it remains a recognised base.
Quick facts
| Regulator | Financial Services Regulatory Commission — Directorate of Offshore Gaming ↗ |
|---|---|
| Tier | Offshore — Cost-effective, weak supervision |
| Licence types | Interactive gaming licence, Interactive wagering licence, Key-individual licence |
| Application cost | USD 15,000 application + due diligence |
| Annual cost | USD 75,000-100,000 annual licence fee |
| Gaming tax | 3% of net win, capped monthly |
| Corporate tax | Antigua corporate tax; offshore structuring common |
| Substance | Antigua-incorporated company; local presence; FSRC due diligence |
| Timeline | 3-6 months |
Pros
- One of the earliest online-gaming jurisdictions (mid-1990s)
- Low 3% net-win tax with a monthly cap
- Established legal framework and WTO precedent
Cons
- Reputational signal below tier-1 regulators
- Limited recognition in regulated markets
- Banking relationships can be harder to secure
Best for
- Operators wanting an established offshore base
- Groups with a Caribbean structuring preference
- Sportsbooks serving grey markets
Recent developments (2025-2026)
The FSRC continued to modernise its interactive-gaming due-diligence and player-fund rules through 2024 to align with FATF standards.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Antigua's online-gaming framework?
It dates to the mid-1990s, making Antigua & Barbuda one of the very first jurisdictions to license online casinos.
What's the gaming tax in Antigua?
3% of net win, subject to a monthly cap — one of the lower offshore rates.
Is the Antigua licence recognised in regulated markets?
Generally no. It's an offshore licence suited to grey markets; regulated markets usually require a local licence.