The gaming industry in Vanuatu has a broad prospect. Supported by a favorable regulatory environment and a forward-looking approach, the country will attract a variety of operators and witness strong growth in this field. As Macyn White, CEO of the Vanuatu Gaming Authority, noted in an interview, the surge in interest is just the beginning.
The real growth story of Vanuatu's gaming industry remains to be explored. Vanuatu is laying a solid foundation for the growth of its iGaming industry. Focused on customer protection, fair competition, and operational flexibility, the country is expected to become a leading jurisdiction for global iGaming B2C operators.
In a conversation with Macyn White, he discussed the future of Vanuatu's gaming industry. This Pacific island nation has caused a sensation in the international gaming community, and its improved licensing framework has received much attention.
When asked about the types of operators that would be attracted to obtain licenses in Vanuatu, Macyn White said, "We expect a wide range of operators, including international iGaming companies looking to expand into pre-regulated markets, innovative startups, and mature operators seeking cost-effective and efficient licensing environments, to be attracted to Vanuatu for licensing."
This aligns with the Interactive Gaming Act passed by Vanuatu in 2000. The act regulates interactive gaming and has been updated several times to keep up with the evolving gaming environment. Clearly, Vanuatu is positioning itself as an ideal place for various gaming operators.
Talking about growth within the jurisdiction, Macyn White foresaw an initial sharp increase in operator interest due to significantly reduced costs and the efficiency of a purely online application process. "This surge is likely to stabilize and gradually increase as operators experience the benefits of our new licensing framework and word of mouth about the advantages of obtaining a license in Vanuatu spreads," he added.
Indeed, since the 1990s, the island nation has been a pioneer in providing online gambling licenses. The new licensing framework launched in July 2024 allows a fully online application process, increasing efficiency and attracting global operators targeting pre-regulated markets.
What makes Vanuatu different as a jurisdiction?
Under the leadership of Macyn White, Vanuatu is poised to become a global leader in the gaming industry. With its unique regulatory approach, attractive licensing conditions, and a vision of balancing regulatory standards with operator incentives, the gaming industry in Vanuatu has a very bright future.
Continuing the conversation with Macyn White, CEO of the Vanuatu Gaming Authority, we explored what makes Vanuatu stand out among other gaming jurisdictions and his vision for the future of the gaming industry in this island nation.
Macyn White highlighted several unique aspects that make Vanuatu an attractive jurisdiction for gaming operators. "Vanuatu is the first iGaming regulatory authority to offer a purely online application process, significantly reducing the time and cost for operators to obtain licenses," he said. "Additionally, our 1% gaming activity tax rate and significantly reduced application and annual fees make Vanuatu a very attractive jurisdiction."
He also emphasized Vanuatu's unique regulatory approach. "With my background in B2B software and innovation, we aim to create a software-centric regulatory system that understands and aligns with the operator's perspective," White explained. "Moreover, our regulatory body—the Director of Customs and Inland Revenue, works closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit to ensure compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards."
When asked about his background and vision for Vanuatu as a gaming jurisdiction, Macyn White shared, "I have been working in the industry since I was 18, starting in the trading halls of Australian operators. My background also includes extensive experience in B2B software, having served as the innovation head at Latrobet. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the operator's perspective and shaped my vision for Vanuatu as a gaming jurisdiction."
Macyn White's vision is to make Vanuatu a leading and respected gaming jurisdiction globally. "The goal is to create an environment that balances strict regulatory standards with the freedom and incentives to attract top operators," he said. "By leveraging technology and innovative practices, we aim to ensure that Vanuatu remains at the forefront of the iGaming industry."
Costs and Taxes
Macyn White shared some insights about the new licensing framework and its key features.
When asked how the new licensing framework updates Vanuatu's licenses since 1993, Macyn White explained, "Vanuatu's original iGaming license was established in 1993, before the advent of telecommunications and internet gambling. Although the framework has been revised over the decades to modernize, this new licensing framework represents the first dedicated step Vanuatu has taken to reopen to the international gaming industry. The new framework introduces a completely online application system, with reduced application fees and annual fees, while the gaming activity tax is only 1%."
This update marks a significant shift in Vanuatu's iGaming regulatory approach, making it more attractive to global operators.
Regarding the key features of the new license revealed at the launch event, Mason White shared, "At the launch event, we highlighted several key features of the new license: a 1% gaming activity tax rate, reduced application fee of 5000 euros, and an annual fee of 10,000 euros. We also emphasized the purely online application process and outlined the comprehensive yet efficient background checks to ensure only reputable operators are licensed in Vanuatu. The Vanuatu Interactive Gaming License (VIGL) is valid for 15 years from the date of issuance, allowing the use of legal tender and cryptocurrencies for gaming. It covers all common gaming verticals, including sports betting, online casinos, live online casinos, bingo, keno, lotteries, poker, mini-games, and novelty games."
These features highlight Vanuatu's commitment to creating a favorable environment for iGaming operators, balancing regulatory oversight with operational flexibility. As White aptly pointed out, the new licensing framework is just the beginning of Vanuatu's journey to becoming a global iGaming hub.
How the Process Works
Macyn White explained how the new application process works to reduce processing times while ensuring rigorous background checks. "The purely online system allows for faster data processing and review, while maintaining strict background checks through advanced digital verification methods," he said. "Additionally, our regulatory body—the Director of Customs and Inland Revenue, works closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit to ensure compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. This cooperation ensures that all applicants are properly vetted, while not affecting the speed of the application process."
This approach balances efficiency with thoroughness, making Vanuatu an attractive jurisdiction for operators while maintaining high regulatory standards.
Discussing the role of the Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue in the new framework, Macyn White shared, "The Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue plays a key role in the new framework, overseeing the financial aspects of the licensing process. This includes collecting fees and taxes and ensuring compliance with Vanuatu's financial regulations. Their involvement ensures that the economic benefits of the iGaming industry are accurately accounted for and contribute positively to the national economy. Additionally, they work with the Financial Intelligence Unit and VGA to ensure that Vanuatu does not license bad actors, maintaining international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance standards."
These insights highlight Vanuatu's comprehensive and collaborative approach to regulating its emerging iGaming industry. Focused on efficiency, rigorous vetting, and financial oversight, the country is laying a solid foundation for growth and sustainability in this field. As Macyn White aptly pointed out, the new licensing framework is a testament to Vanuatu's commitment to creating a sound and reputable iGaming industry.
Interactive Gaming License for B2C Operators
We continued to explore how the new Vanuatu Interactive Gaming License meets the needs of B2C operators and the balance between compliance requirements and the freedom of license holders.
When asked how the new license meets the needs of B2C operators, Macyn White explained, "The VIGL is specifically designed to meet the needs of B2C operators, providing a regulatory environment that supports direct interaction with consumers. This includes ensuring that operators adhere to high standards of customer protection, responsible gaming practices, and fair competition. The license framework is flexible enough to accommodate various types of B2C operations, including online casinos and sports betting platforms, making it an attractive choice for operators in this field."
This approach emphasizes Vanuatu's commitment to creating an environment favorable to B2C operators, ensuring high standards of customer protection and fair competition while providing flexibility to accommodate various types of operations.
Discussing compliance requirements and how the new framework balances these with the freedom of license holders, Macyn White shared, "The iGaming industry operates under strict compliance requirements to ensure the integrity and fairness of games, the protection of player data, and the prevention of fraud and money laundering. Our new framework maintains these high standards while providing greater flexibility and reduced costs for operators. By implementing advanced digital compliance monitoring tools, we can effectively enforce regulations without imposing unnecessary burdens on license holders."
These insights highlight the delicate balance Vanuatu has achieved between maintaining high regulatory standards and providing flexibility for operators. By leveraging advanced digital tools, the country can effectively enforce regulations while reducing the costs and burdens for operators.
