The era of "easy" licensing in Curacao is effectively over. For decades, the jurisdiction was the default launchpad for the global iGaming industry – reliable, cost-effective, and relatively hands-off. But with the full implementation of the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), the landscape has fundamentally shifted.

The new reality involves mandatory physical offices, local directors, and a regulatory burden that mirrors European standards. For startups and agile operators, the "Curacao route" is no longer the automatic decision it once was.

This regulatory tightening has created a vacuum, and the Tobique Gaming License is filling it. Located in Canada and operating under the sovereign authority of the Tobique First Nation, this jurisdiction offers something the current market desperately needs: a regulatory framework built for the digital age, not the brick-and-mortar past.

In this article, we examine why Tobique has become the talk of the industry – and what operators should consider working under the Tobique License.

The license became recognized in the industry after the release of the Tobique Gaming Act of 2023, which established clear regulatory parameters while deliberately avoiding the excessive restrictions that burden operators in more established jurisdictions. The TGC offers three primary license categories:

• Remote Gaming License (B2C): For operators providing gaming services directly to players
• Casino or Sports Wagering Software License (B2B): For developers and providers of gaming platforms and other service providers

Unlike jurisdictions requiring separate licenses for different verticals, a single Tobique license covers most gaming activities – from casino games and sports betting to poker and lottery products.

Permitted Verticals under Tobique License in 2026

Certain high-risk activities are explicitly excluded from the license scope to protect the jurisdiction's reputation:

• Financial Betting: Spread betting on financial markets (Forex, binaries) is not authorized.
• Physical Prize Lotteries: Raffles or lotteries where physical goods are shipped to winners are restricted due to the complexities of cross-border logistics and customs laws.

The geographical reach of a Tobique license is impressively broad, though operators should note restrictions in several territories.

The 2026 Restricted Jurisdictions List :

Nevertheless, this license provides access to the main lucrative markets across Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia.

Let's address what’s important first: taxation. In an industry where margins matter tremendously, Tobique offers an outstanding taxation structure. License holders enjoy zero corporate tax on gaming operations – a stark contrast to the tax rates of 10-35% common in many regulated markets.

Consider the financial implications. A medium-sized operation generating €2M in annual profit would save €300,000- €700,000 in taxes compared to operating under licenses issued by traditional European jurisdictions. That's capital that can be reinvested in marketing, platform development, or market expansion.

Beyond taxation, the speed of market entry provides another compelling advantage. While obtaining an Anjouan license typically requires 2-3 months and a Curacao license 4-7 months, Tobique applications can be processed in as little as 4-6 weeks. At Rikk, we managed to complete the licensing process for one of our clients in just 5 business days. This accelerated timeline can represent a significant competitive edge in such a competitive industry.

Tobique Gaming License Cost Structure for 2026

Rikk lawyers have compared the Year 1 Total Cost of Ownership of the Tobique Gaming License to popular alternative licensing jurisdictions. The numbers are based on the 2026 market data.

Tobique provides a savings of nearly €70,000 in the first year compared to the new Curacao standards. A significant advantage lies in corporate structuring flexibility. Unlike jurisdictions requiring local incorporation, Tobique permits license holders to maintain their corporate entities in other tax-efficient jurisdictions. This creates opportunities for smart multi-jurisdictional setups that optimize both operational efficiency and tax exposure.

Tobique licensing process requires precision and attention to detail, but lacks the heavy complexity found in other jurisdictions. Here's what to expect:

Another critical consideration is the KYC-check of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs). The TGC conducts thorough checks on individuals who hold 10% or more of the company's shares, including Source of Wealth (SOW) and Source of Funds (SOF) verifications. Ensuring transparency in this process is essential for a smooth application.

Technical compliance forms the backbone of any credible gambling operation, and Tobique maintains high standards despite its operator-friendly approach. If you are planning to provide your backend platform as services, the TGC recognizes certifications from major testing laboratories, including iTechLabs, GLI, and BMM Testlabs – the same certification bodies accepted by more established jurisdictions. And you don’t need to obtain a B2B license for this purpose.

If you would like to use your own platform, you don’t need any certifications for this purpose. You can easily obtain a B2C license; you will need to show some pre-approval from a reputable game provider.

For Game Provides. Random Number Generator (RNG) certification deserves particular attention, as it directly impacts game fairness and player trust. Tobique requires all games to use certified RNG systems with documentation verifying:

• Statistical randomness
• Unpredictability of outcomes
• Absence of patterns or biases
• Secure implementation resistant to manipulation

For B2C/B2B operators, the compliance policy framework requires several mandatory documents:

• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Policy: Detailing procedures for customer verification, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting
• Know Your Customer (KYC) Policy: Establishing identity verification processes and ongoing due diligence
• Responsible Gaming Policy: Outlining measures to prevent problem gambling, including self-exclusion options and deposit limits
• Privacy Policy: Detailing data collection, storage, and protection practices
• Terms and Conditions: Clearly stating the rules governing player accounts and gameplay

Data security requirements mandate that while operators need not place servers in Tobique territory, customer data, accounts, and betting history must remain accessible to regulators. This creates greater flexibility in server location while maintaining appropriate oversight.

Securing your Tobique license represents not the end but rather the beginning of your compliance journey. Several operational factors require ongoing attention: