When you start thinking seriously about launching an online casino or bookmaker, at some point you realize that you can’t do anything without a license. But with it, a completely different conversation begins: banks open, payment systems work, players trust. But here’s the question: which one to take so that it’s legal and doesn’t go broke at the start? There are many options, but one of the most interesting, which few people know about, is the Tobique license. Don’t be scared if you haven’t heard of it – I came across it by accident, and now I consider it one of the most adequate licenses for starting in 2025.
Tobique is not an offshore in the ocean or a country with strange laws. It is the territory of the Tobique First Nation in Canada. They have their own self-government, and, as it turns out, they know how to do business. There is a commission there — the Tobique Gaming Commission, which has recently begun issuing licenses for online gambling. And not just some formality, but a full-fledged document that can be used in most countries and launch the entire range of gambling: from casinos and slots to bets and poker. You can even use crypto — that says a lot.
And this is not some temporary story. They already have operators that are successfully working, accepting payments, cooperating with normal PSPs and even advertising on international markets.
You know, I don't get into things without preparation. I've looked through tons of information, talked to lawyers, monitored forums, and even talked to those who are already working under this license. And what did I find out? You can get it really quickly - 3-4 weeks, if you do everything correctly. Without bureaucracy in 10 circles of hell. And you don't need to open a company in Canada - they often make a connection with a jurisdiction in Costa Rica (where it is easier to run a gambling business) and a payment agent in Cyprus in order to normally resolve financial issues.
Another important point is that the cost of the license is adequate. Not $100k, like in Malta, but around 15-20 thousand euros. And there are no taxes on players' winnings or the company's income. Everything is fair and clear. Your expenses are the license, legal registration and support, if you don't want to tinker with it yourself.
I won't pour it into your ears - yes, there are restrictions. For example, you can't work with Tobique in the US, UK and some provinces of Canada, like Ontario. And you shouldn't go to countries under sanctions - they'll shut you down quickly. But for most developing markets, Asia, Latin America, Europe without regulatory pressure - the license works great. The main thing is to correctly define geo-targeting and not to go where you can't.
As for formalities, you will be asked for documents. Personal, corporate, bank statements, a business plan. Plus a short AML/KYC policy. There is no way around it now. Even if you are doing a white crypto project, you will still be asked where the money came from. But everything is within reason, nothing out of the ordinary.
If you really want to enter gambling as a business, not on your knee, but with a perspective, you need a legal status. Tobique is a fast and relatively inexpensive way to launch a platform, start accepting payments, and run an honest and open business. Yes, it is not a first-tier license, like the Isle of Man or Malta, but it is not a gray scheme that banks shy away from.
And another huge plus is that there is no wild overheating in this area yet. While everyone is chasing fashionable jurisdictions, you can calmly roll into the market with a license that is not cut by regulators and with which normal affiliates and PSPs work.
If you want, I can give you the contact details of the guys who help with the paperwork. They do everything turnkey: from the company to the invoice, from the business plan to the connection with the payments. I have personally verified this, this is not an advertisement. I am just sharing because I have been looking for it myself, and I know how difficult it is to figure it all out.
Launching a gambling project is not about "spinning a slot and getting rich". This is a business that requires calculation, strategy and a solid foundation. Tobique license is exactly about the foundation. With it, you can build a project for years, not for a couple of months until it gets blocked. And if you do everything wisely, believe me, this license will give you everything you need for a good start. The rest is in your hands.
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