One of the first decisions a gaming business faces when entering the regulated market is selecting the appropriate licence type. Under the Anjouan regulatory framework, two distinct licence categories exist: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B). Each serves a different role within the gaming value chain and carries distinct regulatory requirements and compliance obligations.
Understanding the Distinction
At a fundamental level, the distinction between B2C and B2B licences reflects the nature of the business relationship and the role the licensee plays in the gaming ecosystem:
- B2C licence holders operate gaming platforms that provide services directly to end consumers (players). They are responsible for the player-facing aspects of the operation, including player registration, game offerings, payment processing, customer support, and responsible gaming measures.
- B2B licence holders provide products, technology, or services to licensed gaming operators. They do not interact directly with end consumers but play a critical role in the underlying infrastructure of gaming operations, such as game development, platform provision, payment solutions, and data analytics.
B2C Licence: Operating a Player-Facing Gaming Business
Who Needs a B2C Licence?
A B2C licence is required for any business that offers gaming services directly to players. This includes operators of online casinos, sports betting platforms, poker rooms, bingo sites, lottery services, and eSports wagering platforms. If your business accepts wagers, processes player funds, or provides gaming content directly to consumers, a B2C licence is the appropriate regulatory pathway.
Key Regulatory Requirements
- Player Protection: B2C operators must implement comprehensive responsible gaming measures, including self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, session time limits, and reality check mechanisms
- KYC and AML Compliance: Robust customer identification, verification, and transaction monitoring procedures are mandatory
- Fair Play: Games offered must be certified for fairness, with random number generation (RNG) systems tested and validated where applicable
- Funds Segregation: Player funds must be managed in accordance with regulatory requirements to protect player balances in the event of business disruption
- Dispute Resolution: Licensed operators must maintain clear procedures for handling player complaints and disputes
- Advertising Standards: Marketing activities must comply with applicable standards, avoiding misleading claims and targeting of vulnerable individuals
B2B Licence: Supplying Technology and Services to the Industry
Who Needs a B2B Licence?
A B2B licence is designed for businesses that provide critical products or services to licensed gaming operators but do not directly engage with end consumers. This includes game development studios, platform providers, white-label solution providers, payment processing companies, content aggregators, data analytics providers, and affiliate marketing networks.
Key Regulatory Requirements
- Product Integrity: Games and technology platforms must meet defined standards for fairness, security, and operational reliability
- Technical Compliance: Software must be developed and maintained according to industry standards, with appropriate testing, certification, and documentation
- Due Diligence: B2B suppliers must conduct due diligence on their own partners and ensure that their products are used only by appropriately licensed operators
- Data Protection: Compliance with data protection requirements, including secure handling of player data processed on behalf of B2C operators
- Ongoing Compliance: Regular reporting, audit requirements, and maintenance of compliance standards throughout the licence period
Key Differences at a Glance
While both licence types share common regulatory principles, including integrity, transparency, and compliance, the specific obligations differ significantly:
- Customer relationship: B2C operators interact directly with players; B2B suppliers serve other businesses
- Responsible gaming: B2C operators bear primary responsibility for player protection; B2B suppliers must ensure their products support responsible gaming compliance
- Financial handling: B2C operators process player funds directly; B2B suppliers typically process payments on behalf of B2C clients or provide payment infrastructure
- Fair play certification: B2C operators must ensure all games are certified; B2B game providers must obtain certification for their individual game products
- Regulatory reporting: Reporting obligations differ in scope and frequency, reflecting the different operational profiles of each licence type
Can a Business Hold Both Licences?
Yes. In some cases, a business may require both B2C and B2B licences. For example, a company that operates its own branded casino platform (B2C) while also providing its proprietary gaming technology to other licensed operators (B2B) would need to hold both licence types. Each licence is assessed independently, with separate compliance obligations and regulatory requirements.
Making the Right Choice
Selecting the correct licence type is a critical first step in the regulatory process. Applying for the wrong licence can result in delays, additional costs, and potential compliance issues. Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. provides pre-application guidance to help businesses identify the appropriate licence category based on their specific business model, operational structure, and market strategy.
Whether you are launching a new online casino, developing a gaming platform for third-party operators, or building a payment solution for the iGaming industry, the Anjouan licensing framework offers a clear and efficient regulatory pathway tailored to your needs.