Tuvalu Gaming Licence
What is the Tuvalu gaming licence?
The Tuvalu gaming licence is an offshore online gaming authorisation issued by the Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA) under the Tuvalu Online Gaming Act 2023. One licence covers every major gaming vertical, so an operator runs casino, betting, poker, and more under a single permit. The regime sets a 0 percent gaming tax and asks for no minimum capital, which keeps the entry cost tied to the licence fee.
Tuvalu runs a single-licence model through one regulator and one authorised representative. Because the process moves through a single channel, the timeline stays predictable from first contact to approval. The regulator stage commonly runs three to four weeks once your file is complete, so the route works well for operators who want fast market entry.
The authority also accepts a company incorporated in most jurisdictions, so you keep your existing structure rather than form a local entity. You do not need a Tuvalu office, local staff, or a capital deposit to hold the licence. As a result, your upfront outlay stays tied to the licence fee and setup costs rather than reserves locked with the regulator.
The Online Gaming Act 2023 sets the framework applied by the authority and positions Tuvalu as a low-tax base for international operators. In addition, a single authorisation lets you serve players across multiple markets and add products under the same permit as your business grows. Tuvalu also sits in the region covered by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, so the regime expects AML and KYC controls built to recognised standards.
Who can hold a Tuvalu gaming licence?
Any operator that passes the fit and proper assessment can hold a Tuvalu licence. The authority checks the identity, background, and source of funds of every beneficial owner before it issues a permit. You disclose the full ownership chain to real people, so a clear corporate structure helps the file move.
The route suits startups, established operators, crypto platforms, and B2B suppliers alike. Moreover, you do not need to register a local Tuvalu company or hire local staff to qualify. Instead, you apply through an authorised representative who files on your behalf and handles renewals through the same channel.
A free pre-approval step confirms eligibility before you commit the main fee, usually within a few working days. That check surfaces an ownership or source-of-funds problem early, so you fix it before the full review starts. Once the principals pass their checks and the file is complete, the authority then issues the licence certificate.
Preparation decides how smoothly an application runs. An ownership chain that is hard to trace, missing source-of-funds information, or AML policies that do not match how the platform works will each slow a decision. So you gather certified documents, a clear corporate chart, and a compliance pack before you file. When the right structure depends on your products and target markets, the advisory team maps it with you before submission.
Types of Licences
What the Tuvalu gaming licence covers
A single Tuvalu authorisation covers a broad product set, so you avoid a separate filing for each vertical. The licence commonly covers:
- Online casino, slots, and live dealer tables
- Sports and esports betting
- Poker and skill games
- Lottery and bingo
- B2B supply to other operators
- Crypto and blockchain gaming
One licence, multiple verticals. You add verticals under the same licence as you grow rather than buy a new permit each time. Adding a sportsbook or a live casino does not add a licence fee, though each vertical carries its own supplier and integration cost. The standard licence includes up to two domains, so factor your brand count in early, because extra domains carry an added charge.
Crypto and digital assets. The licence covers crypto and Web3 models, so many operators settle in digital assets under it. You apply the same AML and KYC controls to crypto flows that you apply to fiat, including transaction monitoring and sanctions screening.
Licensing Requirements
Tuvalu gaming licence requirements
The authority asks for a consistent documentation pack before it reviews an application. A complete file clears review in a single pass, so prepare each item in advance:
- Certified passport copies for every director and beneficial owner
- Proof of address and a clean criminal record certificate
- Source of funds evidence and a corporate ownership chart
- A business plan covering products, target markets, and projections
- AML and KYC policies matched to how the platform runs
- Certified game and RNG documentation from your supplier
Compliance and the licence certificate. You appoint a compliance officer who oversees AML monitoring, player checks, and reporting. After these requirements are in place, the authority issues the licence certificate once the principals pass their checks and the file is complete.
How long licensing takes. The regulator stage commonly runs three to four weeks once your file is complete. Document preparation and company setup add time before that stage, so plan a longer end-to-end project. The free pre-approval step confirms eligibility first, usually within a few working days.
Company Requirements
Tuvalu gaming licence cost and tax
The headline number is the annual licence fee, which providers commonly quote at around USD 15,850. However, some list it near USD 17,200, while a higher Principal Licence tier sits near USD 52,500 for operators who take on that role. In addition, your first-year total runs above the licence fee once formation, compliance setup, and banking costs are added.
| Cost component | Approximate figure (2026) |
|---|---|
| Annual licence fee | Around USD 15,850; paid on approval |
| Pre-approval or application fee | Around USD 1,200 where charged |
| Company formation and setup | Varies by jurisdiction of incorporation |
| AML and KYC framework setup | Varies by provider |
| Compliance officer | Ongoing salary or service fee; mandatory |
| Gaming tax on gross gaming revenue | 0 percent |
Tax and gaming revenue. Tuvalu applies a 0 percent gaming tax, and VAT does not apply to licensed online gaming. That means the fixed annual fee is your main regulatory cost. Your operating company still answers to the tax rules of its jurisdiction of incorporation, so confirm that treatment with a tax adviser before you finalise the structure.
Banking and payments. A clean compliance file shortens bank onboarding, so plan payment setup alongside the licence rather than after it. Tuvalu sits in the region covered by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, and a framework built around the FATF Recommendations supports both your application and your accounts.
Benefits
Why operators choose Tuvalu
What the licence offers. Operators choose Tuvalu for fast market entry, a contained upfront cost, and one authorisation across every vertical. Moreover, the 0 percent gaming tax and the absence of minimum capital help keep the entry point low and predictable. At the same time, one regulator and one representative manage the process end to end, which can make the licensing journey more straightforward.
Who the licence suits. The model fits several operator profiles:
- Startups that want fast entry and a contained upfront cost
- Crypto and Web3 platforms that settle in digital assets
- Established operators adding a second offshore base
- B2B suppliers that need an authorisation for market access
- Multi-vertical operators who want one licence across products
Where a Tuvalu licence operates. A Tuvalu licence opens international markets across Latin America, Africa, parts of Asia, and Eastern Europe. The licence does not cover the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, or Australia, because those markets run their own regimes and require a local licence. You also geo-block any country the authority restricts, including FATF-blacklisted and sanctioned jurisdictions.
Get started in Tuvalu. DD Consultus manages the filing process end to end, from pre-approval through to the licence certificate and banking. In addition, the advisory team can prepare a costed plan tailored to your target markets and gaming verticals. To discuss your Tuvalu gaming licence application, contact us at contact@licencegaming.com or +356 99408536.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions operators ask about the Tuvalu gaming licence, its cost, scope, and timeline.