Vanuatu
Vanuatu government approved online gaming in 1999. The licensing process is regulated by the Finance Ministry, the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue through Interactive Gaming Consultants Ltd.
The approval process for companies seeking licensure is stringent; the government requires background checks on the companies’ gaming systems, financial security and corporate competency. Once approved, operators must pay an interactive gaming tax of 2.5% on gross gaming profits and a 0.1% turnover tax on fixed odds betting. Additionally, sportsbooks pay a $35,000 application fee and a $30,000 license fee while all other gaming operators pay a $75,000 application fee and an annual license fee of $50,000.
