Hi nggd-ga,
I have actually been able to find several countries that appropriate
internet gaming licenses. There is a central repository of 71
jurasdictions that offer Intenet gaming licenses:
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/licensesDatabase.cfm
Here is a list of the ones below $40,000 USD/yr:
A. Antigua and Barbuda - $10,000 deposit + $100 application
**There does appear to be some legal issues with the USA present here,
so be warned :)
http://www.antiguagaming.gov.ag/legislation2.asp#APPLICATION%20FOR%20INTERACTIVE%20GAMING
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=29&Region=Caribbean
B. Panama - "Panama has released new regulations to license internet
gambling. Rates are US$40,000.00 for a Master contract and $20,000.00
a year for the licence. Master Licensors have the ability to offer
numerous licenses."
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=112&Region=Central%20America
C. Comoros (Anjouan) - $20,000 USD
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=28&Region=Africa
D. Belize - "For an initial fee of US$30,000 they establish an
operational company and apply for and obtain a Certificate of
Compliance authorizing the company to conduct gaming business in
Belize. This can be done in as little as one week. At the client’s
request they also apply for and obtain all necessary work and
immigration permits, facilitate the importation of all necessary
capital equipment for conducting the business and establish bank and
credit card accounts.
The fee of US$30,000 also covers all out-of-pocket expenses and
government or other disbursements including payment of the government
licensing fee.
There is also an annual maintenance and compliance fee is US$25,000.00
and is payable one year after the date of purchase. This also covers
all disbursements including payment of the annual license fee.
Since the operation would be sited in a duty free zone (Export
Processing Zone), it would pay no income tax, no capital gains tax,
and no sales or value added tax. Dividends paid by the company to its
shareholders would be similarly exempt from tax. All capital equipment
including service and utility vehicles, office furniture and
equipment, etc. can be imported free of custom duties, consumption
tax, excise taxes or any other tax. The operation would however, be
required to make weekly Social Security contributions to the Social
Security Board and to withhold income tax deductions from employees’
salaries. "
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=39&Region=Central%20America
E. Costa Rica - "Costa Rica's online bookies must register with the
economy ministry and pay 10mn-24mn colones (US$26,000-63,000)
depending on the number of employees, the ministry stated."
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=36&Region=Central%20America
F. Vanuatu - "Introduction of a new licensing fee structure for firms
restricting the scope of their operations to Event Wagering - Fixed
odds, and/or P2P (Betting Exchange), and/or Parimutuel. Licence
application fee USD 35,000, Annual Licence Fee USD 30,000. The
comprehensive interactive gaming licence fee schedule remains
unchanged i.e. Application fee USD 75,000 and Annual Fee USD 50,000"
**I wasn't sure what type of license you are after so I included this
one just in case.
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=23&Region=Asia%20Pacific
Many of the 71 jurasdictions simply do not offer a flat-fee license,
but instead demand a percentage of winnings (between 2-25%) instead. I
have included one here that I thought was quite good here:
Phillipines - "We believe that we have developed an online gaming
model containing the perfect balance of regulations and controls in a
well regulated jurisdiction. Our solution is designed to be
financially and commercially desirable to both large and small
internet gaming operators, commented Mr Benitez.
The fee structure comprises a nominal application fee, a competitive
annual fee and a 2% interactive gaming tax on gross win."
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=127&Region=Asia%20Pacific
Hopefully this gives you an idea of what is available on a global
scale...if you are having any trouble understanding the information
above please post a clarification and I will respond promptly.
Cheers!
answerguru-ga
Google Answers Researcher |
Clarification of Answer by
answerguru-ga
on
15 Jun 2003 18:25 PDT
OK, based on your request for the absolute cheapest license, I have
hunted down the regulatory body responsible for issuing Internet
gaming licenses in Antigua:
"The Directorate of Offshore Gaming is the regulatory body responsible
for the oversight of all aspects of the Offshore Gaming industry in
the jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda. The Director is responsible
for the implementation of Government policy relative to Offshore
Gaming. The operations of the Directorate are divided into two areas.
The area of technical administration and enforcement deals with the
collection and analysis of all information required to establish the
ongoing fairness of gaming software and the accurate recording of
revenues for every licensee. The administrative arm deals with the
Preferred Licensee program and operation of the toll free numbers
which allow direct access to the Directorate by players. This facility
allows for the registration of complaints and inquires as to the
license status of operators in the jurisdiction. This department is
also responsible for the processing of applications, revocation of
licenses and facilitation of operators."
http://www.antiguagaming.gov.ag/about.asp
"The process of establishing Virtual Casino and Sports Book in the
Zone is straight forward. In order for the Directorate to ascertain
the background and qualifications of all proposed investors, a process
has been established by which qualified applicants may be granted a
Licence to operate their investments registered.
While we have attempted to make this application process as straight
forward as possible, we appreciate that the furnishing of some
information requested may entail some difficulty. We will help if
possible.
Please feel free to contact us at the address set out below to clarify
any questions or other matters in connection with this application.
Also, should you believe that this application process could be
improved, please let us know."
http://www.antiguagaming.gov.ag/
They require that you download and complete five forms, which are
available here:
http://www.antiguagaming.gov.ag/licensingApplication.asp
Their contact information is as follows:
#9 Factory Road
Suite 216, Mutual Financial Center
St. John’s, Antigua WI
Tel: (268) 481 – 3300
Fax: (268) 481 - 3305
Hopefully that is all the information you are looking for, good luck
with your licensing quest!
answerguru-ga
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