Choosing the right country for your iGaming headquarters
In the rapidly evolving iGaming industry, selecting the right country for your headquarters is crucial. It’s not just about meeting legal requirements; it’s about establishing a strong foundation that supports growth, enables global scaling, and ensures compliance with increasingly stringent regulations.
Key factors to consider when choosing an iGaming HQ
When choosing a country for your iGaming headquarters, consider the following factors:
- Regulatory environment: Choose a nation with laws that are transparent, equitable, and encouraging. A solid regulatory environment guarantees smoother operations and fewer surprises.
- Tax policies: Certain nations provide tax breaks or exemptions to the tech or digital industries. Recognise the effective tax rates rather than merely the headline figures.
- Reputation and trust: A tech-savvy ecosystem, cloud services, and dependable bandwidth are crucial. The legitimacy of your brand is affected by the location of your headquarters.
- Ease of doing business: Choose a country that supports startups, has a straightforward company registration process, and welcomes international businesses.
Jason Heller, Senior Vice President, B2B at 5WPR, speaking exclusively with SiGMA News, stressed that there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to establishing an iGaming headquarters. The ideal location depends on your specific goals.
Heller stated, Theres no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to where to establish an iGaming headquarters; it really depends on your goals. If you’re looking at player volume, countries like China lead the way, but high user numbers dont always mean higher revenue. For that, the U.S. is currently the top market.
Top countries for iGaming headquarters in 2025
Several countries are leading the way in offering incentives, regulatory clarity, and infrastructure for iGaming headquarters:
- Malta: Malta has a robust regulatory framework thanks to its EU membership and the Malta Gaming Authority’s (MGA) clear laws. Malta is a desirable site for iGaming headquarters due to its tax incentives, which include corporation tax rates as low as 5 percent.
- Isle of Man: With its zero tax on capital gains, top-class financial services, and political impartiality, the Isle of Man offers financial security. It also provides adjustable frameworks and highly regarded licensing advantages to both B2C and B2B businesses.
- Gibraltar: This country boasts an experienced regulatory body with robust oversight and deep expertise in gaming. Additionally, it offers corporate tax advantages, including a 10 percent corporate tax rate and no VAT, making it a cost-efficient location for iGaming operations.
- Curacao: Curacao offers speed and cost efficiency with a quick and inexpensive setup process. However, while licensing is easy, it lacks the global prestige of other jurisdictions.
- Cyprus: With a 12.5 percent company tax rate and benefits under EU laws, Cyprus offers a tax-friendly platform. It is also in line with very strict AML and regulatory standards, making it a secure option for iGaming operators.
Jason Heller further highlighted that Malta boasts one of the highest concentrations of iGaming professionals, while the UK has a long-established presence in the industry.
Heller further added, Malta has one of the highest concentrations of iGaming professionals, and the UK has a long-established industry presence. And, of course, regulatory and tax environments matter. Jurisdictions like Malta, the Isle of Man, and Curacao offer favourable conditions that continue to attract companies. It all comes down to what you’re optimising for: players, profits, talent, or policy.
Compliance and licensing considerations
When setting up an iGaming business, securing the right licence is crucial. Different licences may be required depending on whether you’re offering services to players (B2C) or other businesses (B2B). Licences from Malta or the UK are highly reputable, while those from Curacao are cheaper but may limit market access. Processing times for licences vary, so plan ahead to avoid delays.
Choosing the right tax setup is essential for cost efficiency. Look for countries with favourable tax treaties, refund systems, or low base rates, but also consider local compliance costs. Be aware of hidden costs such as audit requirements, mandatory local offices, and staff quotas.
