Nevis announces new tier-1 iGaming license to boost economy

In this article, iGaming industry consultant Ron Mendelson, Fast Offshore, shares insights into the island of Nevis and its latest approval of a new online gambling bill. 

The Caribbean island of Nevis has introduced a new online gambling bill, establishing itself as a new hub for iGaming entrepreneurs. The Nevis Online Gaming Bill 2025, passed on 29 April, enables operators to secure a license for online casino and gambling operations, and brings the nation into the fold of jurisdictions offering such services.

Introduced in March 2025 by Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Mark Brantley, the bill underwent multiple readings before its approval. For Nevis, heavily reliant on tourism, this legislation is a crucial and strategic move to diversify its economy, attract foreign investment, and enhance its regulatory services sector. Brantley emphasised the need for economic resilience, stating, “In Nevis, we have depended on tourism as the mainstay for a very long time. It is now time for us to step out into the world to create new mechanisms, new platforms, and new areas of growth to try at diversifying our local economy and ensure greater resilience and sustainability for our people.”

But what does it mean for iGaming operators?

Why Nevis? 

The new legislation offers many advantages for iGaming operators seeking reliable and competitive jurisdictions. Nevis aims to rival Tier-1 jurisdictions like Malta and the Isle of Man, delivering a high-standard license at a competitive price point. 

Key benefits include:

• FATF Compliance: Nevis is a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-compliant jurisdiction, listed on the FATF’s “white list.” This status means it enforces stringent measures against money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities, increasing operator credibility with players and partners alike. The government is wholly committed to maintaining this compliance and ensuring all iGaming activities align with international standards.

• Tier-1 Ambitions: Brantley articulated Nevis’s goal to become a leading iGaming market, saying, “We aim to carve a niche in the multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry with a safe, well-regulated environment that mitigates risks and protects consumers.” This approach, paired with a great price point, makes Nevis attractive to different kinds of businesses, from startups to more established brands.

• Established Financial Expertise: With over 40 years in financial services, including banking, insurance, and trusts, Nevis brings a wealth of regulatory experience. While it might be new in the iGaming arena, it brings decades of expertise, which ensures compliance with international best practices, providing a solid foundation for the iGaming sector.

• Global Recognition: The Nevis iGaming license is designed to meet international and local standards, making it valid for banks, payment providers, and other third parties. This official stamp of legality and compliance is critical in the competitive iGaming landscape. It will also reassure operators, players, and all partners.

A solid regulatory framework

Nevis’s iGaming framework draws inspiration from already-established tier-1 jurisdictions and seeks to prioritise transparency, integrity, and financial compliance. Operators must complete a rigorous application process and submit detailed documentation, including Know Your Customer (KYC), Due Diligence (DD), corporate and financial records, and evidence of technical and security preparedness. A team of skilled professionals will evaluate applications to ensure only compliant entities are approved.

The framework emphasises responsible gaming and consumer protection. Licensed operators must implement policies promoting responsible gambling, provide dispute resolution mechanisms, avoid targeting minors, and offer self-regulation tools. Advertising must adhere to ethical standards, ensuring transparency and fairness.

The Nevis authorities, supported by a newly-designated regulator, will oversee compliance and enforcement. The regulator will be responsible for investigating complaints, issuing directives, and imposing penalties for non-compliance. Revenue from licensing fees, renewals, and penalties will support government initiatives, grow the sector, and support the local economy.

Nevis: A strategic business hub

Nevis, part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, is renowned for its tourism-driven economy, attracting 40,000 visitors annually. Its offshore financial sector, bolstered by FATF compliance, has grown significantly, reinforcing its reputation as a credible and welcoming business destination. The island’s 40-year financial services history also supports its regulatory expertise, making it an ideal iGaming hub.

The island is also home to a solid Infrastructure, a modernised port, an expanded airport, and a reliable electricity supply. With a 98% literacy rate and English as the official language, Nevis offers a skilled workforce and seamless communication. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), pegged to the US dollar, assures entrepreneurs of business stability, while transport links to regional hubs like Puerto Rico and Antigua enhance accessibility for business people. Nevis’s stable political system and autonomy also play a big part in its development as a well-regulated business hub.

Fast Offshore: Your partner in Nevis iGaming

With 27 years of iGaming and corporate services expertise, Fast Offshore is perfectly positioned to guide operators through the Nevis licensing process. Our services include document collection, application preparation, and ongoing compliance support. For operators looking to capitalise on Nevis’s new iGaming opportunities, Fast Offshore offers comprehensive assistance in corporate structuring, payments, and regulatory maintenance. To find out more about this new Gold Standard in iGaming licensing, or to discuss whether it is the right choice for your business, contact Fast Offshore today. Our team of professionals is on hand and ready to give you all the information you need.

Is Nevis the best low-tax gaming jurisdiction of 2025?

The global iGaming industry, a multi-billion-dollar, burgeoning sector, is built on a strong foundation of innovation, regulation, and accessibility. Jurisdictions like Malta, the Isle of Man, and Curaçao have long been go-to hubs for operators seeking low-tax environments with robust regulatory frameworks, each with different levels of paperwork involved. However, in 2025, a new contender has emerged: Nevis, a Caribbean island within the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. With the passage of the Nevis Online Gaming Bill 2025, Nevis is positioning itself as a leading low-tax gaming jurisdiction, building on a 40-year legacy in financial services, a fresh regulatory approach, and innovative ideas. But does it outshine the established players in the market? Let’s explore why Nevis could claim the top spot globally in 2025.

The iGaming Landscape in 2025

The iGaming sector and operators demand jurisdictions that balance cost-effectiveness with credibility. Operators need licenses that are recognised by banks, payment providers, and players while keeping operational costs low.

Established jurisdictions have set high standards:

• Malta: A Tier-1 jurisdiction, Malta is renowned for its rigorous Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) framework, which ensures compliance with international standards. Its tax structure, while competitive, includes a 5% gaming tax on revenue generated from Maltese players, alongside corporate taxes that can reach 35% unless mitigated by its tax refund system. Malta’s reputation and EU membership make it a gold standard in the iGaming sector,  but its costs and taxes can be out of reach for smaller operators.

• Isle of Man: Another Tier-1 hub, the Isle of Man offers a 0% corporate tax rate for most iGaming activities and a simple licensing process through its Gambling Supervision Commission. Its robust infrastructure and long-standing reputation attract established brands, though application and compliance costs can be high.

• Curaçao: Known for its affordability, even since its regulatory overhaul, Curaçao provides a cost-effective license with a 2% net gains tax and no VAT. Since the changes to the regime, the requirements for getting the license have also changed, as the rules have tightened significantly.

Each jurisdiction has strengths, but Nevis’s entry in 2025 introduces a compelling alternative, drawing on its unique attributes to challenge the status quo of the iGaming and online casino sector. 

Nevis: A fresh yet experienced contender

Nevis’s iGaming ambitions, formalised with the Nevis Online Gaming Bill 2025, passed on April 29, 2025, find roots in its 40-year history in financial services. Since the 1980s, Nevis has built a reputation in offshore banking, insurance, and trusts, earning Financial Action Task Force (FATF) compliance and a spot on the FATF “white list.” This is a great foundation for its iGaming framework, ensuring operators benefit from a jurisdiction with deep regulatory expertise.

Unlike newcomers to regulated industries, Nevis draws on these decades of experience when navigating international compliance, anti-money laundering (AML) standards, and corporate structuring. 

A modern framework

Nevis’s iGaming framework is a combination of innovation and proven practices, drawing inspiration from Malta, the Isle of Man, and other established jurisdictions. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Nevis has adapted these best practices to create a streamlined, operator-friendly environment. The license is designed to be fully compliant with international standards, ensuring validity with banks, payment providers, and third parties—a critical factor in the highly competitive sector.

The application process, while rigorous, is highly transparent, requiring detailed documentation such as Know Your Customer (KYC), Due Diligence (DD), and proof of technical preparedness. A dedicated Regulator will oversee all compliance, investigate complaints, and enforce adherence to responsible gaming policies. Operators must implement dispute resolution mechanisms, ethical advertising, and tools to protect vulnerable players, aligning with global trends toward consumer protection.

Competitive taxation and accessibility

Unlike Malta’s higher tax burdens or the Isle of Man’s premium compliance costs, Nevis aims to be competitive with other Tier-1 licenses, as its gold-standard license is accessible to both startups and established brands. This competitive pricing, combined with FATF compliance, enhances Nevis’s appeal as a low-tax jurisdiction that doesn’t compromise on credibility.

This balance could reshape the iGaming sector, boosting overall credibility and player confidence.

Economic and infrastructural advantages

Nevis’s tourism-driven economy, attracting 40,000 visitors annually, complements its growing offshore financial sector. Its infrastructure, modernised ports, an expanded airport, and reliable electricity since 1971 support business operations. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), pegged to the US dollar, ensures financial stability, while English, as the official language, facilitates seamless communication. 

Politically stable and autonomous within the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nevis offers a secure environment for iGaming operators. Its membership in the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank further bolsters its financial credibility, making it an attractive hub for international businesses.

Innovation as a differentiator

Nevis’s status as a new iGaming jurisdiction allows it to bring fresh ideas. For example, its framework emphasises digital innovation, such as advanced cybersecurity protocols and data protection measures, addressing modern challenges like cyber threats and privacy concerns. 

Additionally, Nevis’s focus on responsible gaming aligns with global regulatory trends. Operators must provide self-regulation tools and transparent dispute resolution, fostering and bolstering player trust. 

Comparing the competition

Malta and the Isle of Man remain benchmarks for regulatory excellence and offer operators unparalleled credibility and infrastructure. However, their higher costs can deter smaller operators. Meanwhile, Curacao is a mid-range license that is not considered Tier-1 or a Gold Standard despite a recent regulatory overhaul. Nevis bridges these gaps. Its 40-year financial services legacy rivals Malta's and the Isle of Man's expertise. This combination of experience, competitive pricing, and modernity makes Nevis a leading choice.

The verdict: Nevis in 2025

In 2025, Nevis emerges as a strong contender in the low-tax iGaming landscape. Its decades of financial services expertise, FATF compliance, and modern regulatory framework position it as a trusted centre for regulated industries. By drawing on established models while introducing fresh ideas, Nevis offers a license that is both prestigious and accessible. Its competitive pricing, robust infrastructure, and commitment to responsible gaming further solidify its appeal.

While Malta, the Isle of Man, and Curaçao remain strong options, Nevis’s unique blend of experience, innovation, and affordability sets it apart. For operators seeking a low-tax jurisdiction that delivers credibility, flexibility, and forward-thinking solutions, Nevis is poised to lead the pack in 2025. To find out all you need to know about this new license, contact Fast Offshore today. Our team is briefed on all the intricacies of the license and can give you all the information you need ,as well as help you get the application process started.