Nevis Officially Launches Gold-Standard NOGA Licensing Framework

A small, quiet island in the Caribbean archipelago is making a big splash within the iGaming industry. With the enactment of the new Nevis Online Gaming Bill and the formal rollout of the Nevis Online Gaming Authority (NOGA), the small member state in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has become a new gambling powerhouse well poised to rival the likes of the Isle of Man and MGA, not to mention Curacao or Anjouan.

Like the best of them, the new Nevis licence works for both B2B and B2C services. Unlike many, though, the new Nevis framework promises a much easier (and cheaper) launch, which will surely make new online casinos think twice before they apply for any other badge. Especially those with a crypto bent.

What is NOGA?

Managing a jurisdiction of its own and more or less disregarding the international guidelines, Nevis has long been seen as a Mecca for running a shady gambling business. The older St Kitts license is an entry-level regulator that barely held a candle to Curacao or even Anjouan.

That all changed with the introduction of the new Nevis Online Gaming Bill on April 29th, 2025. Virtually overnight, the bill introduced the new Nevis license and transformed the island into a respectable jurisdiction for online gambling by establishing a robust regulatory framework for licensing and overseeing online casinos and betting operators. Crucially, it kept prices comparatively low, making it more business-friendly than the current tier-1 competition, like the Isle of Man.

The key feature of the new gambling bill is the establishment of the Nevis Online Gaming Authority (NOGA), the island’s independent licensing body responsible for issuing both B2B and B2C licenses. It promises a streamlined and transparent licensing process, making a hard pivot from slower, more bureaucratic models found elsewhere. On Nevis, there is no corporate tax and no VAT, while the strong FATF compliance makes it a staple for crypto-focused casinos that want to get off the ground as quickly as possible.

Nevis iGaming Licence Compared to Competition

Easy launch and seamless compliance are cited as the key benefits of the new Nevis licence. But how much easier and more compliant is it compared to direct competitors like Malta (MGA) or the Isle of Man (IoM)?

Very. Although that will vary depending on the parameters taken into account.

• Application: While robust and strict, the application process is nevertheless streamlined and transparent. Nevis is also much faster than both MGA and IoM—10 weeks compared to a minimum of three months—and less bureaucratic than Malta.
• Cost: another plus for the Nevis iGaming license is the cost of the application and license maintenance. At $30,000 renewal cost, it’s almost twice as cheap as the Isle of Man’s, although on par with MGA. However, Nevis is a low-tax environment that may enhance profitability, especially for new casinos looking to establish themselves.
• Crypto compatibility: The Nevis license supports cryptocurrency payments from the outset. Its Strong FATF credentials mean that in Nevis, the AML & financial compliance measures do not clash with cryptocurrency transactions.
• Reputation: Nevis is a relatively new jurisdiction and cannot compare to the strong financial trust associated with the Isle of Man or the nearly 10,000 licenses issued by the MGA.

Make no mistake, the Isle of Man and especially Malta still hold sway in the industry and won’t sit idle while Nevis storms onto the scene. Also, there’s an argument that neither really cuts into each other’s sack: Malta is still an EU powerhouse, Isle of Man remains the badge of choice for big businesses, and the new Nevis licence is a godsend for nimble or crypto businesses that prefer flexibility above all else. Be that as it may, it’s up to the new kid to show they’ve got what it takes to make it in this highly competitive market.