Rota Casino License
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A Global Online Casino License regulated by a U.S. Territory (CNMI)
What is the New Rota Casino License?
The Rota casino license is a new online iGaming license issued in the U.S. Territory of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Rota, CNMI) under the supervision of the Rota Casino Gaming Commission. Through the Rota Casino License, qualified operators can offer a wide range of online casino games (including slots, live dealer, poker, skill games and more) to international players, subject to jurisdictional restrictions. The framework combines U.S.-standard regulatory oversight and AML/KYC requirements with a commercially attractive setup, including the possibility to operate multiple brands and, for purely offshore structures, a 0% local tax environment.
Under the current legal and regulatory framework, the Rota Casino License does not authorize the operation of a traditional sportsbook. In other words, license holders cannot accept wagers or bets on sports events under this license.
The Rota gaming license is granted under the Rota Casino Act of 2007 (as amended in 2024) and is supervised by the Rota Casino Gaming Commission,
Obtaining a Rota Online Casino Sub-License from Rota Blue Inc.
To obtain a Rota Blue Sub-Operator License, an iGaming operator must first complete the official application and due diligence questionnaire and provideall required documentation, including corporate records, UBO and management identification, a detailed business plan, AML/KYC and responsible gaming policies, technical information on the gaming platform and servers, and RNG certifications.
An application deposit of USD 1,000 is paid at this stage (refundable only if the license is ultimately granted). Rota Blue conducts an internal review and, if satisfied, submits the application to the Rota Casino Gaming Commission for regulatory approval. Once approved, the operator pays the initial license fee, registers the approved domain(s) and payment processors, completes final system checks, and can then launch operations under the Rota Blue Sub-Operator License.
Rota Online Casino Sub-License Tax Framework
From a tax perspective, the Rota Blue Sub-Operator License offers two clearly distinct options.
If you operate as an offshore company (with no entity incorporated in CNMI), the framework does not impose any local CNMI taxes on your gaming activity—no GGR tax, no CNMI corporate income tax, and no Business Gross Revenue Tax (0% local tax), while you remain subject to taxation in your home jurisdiction.
By contrast, if you choose to operate through a Rota/CNMI domestic company, your gaming revenues fall under the standard local regime: a 10% Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) tax under the amended Rota Casino Act of 2007, 21% CNMI corporate income tax, and 1% Business Gross Revenue Tax (BGRT), with the possibility of tax credits or refunds under the CNMI tax code.
When gambling operations are conducted outside of CNMI under a Rota Blue Sub-Operator License, the operator must also comply with the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction where its company is incorporated and managed. This means that, in addition to meeting Rota and CNMI regulatory standards, the offshore company may be subject to local licensing, AML/CFT, data protection, consumer protection, and tax rules in its home country or any country from which it effectively operates. As a result, choosing to form an offshore company should never be a purely tax-driven decision: the additional regulatory layer, local supervision, and potential licensing or reporting obligations in the jurisdiction of incorporation must be carefully assessed in advance with qualified legal and tax advisors.
AML / KYC and Compliance for a Rota Online Casino License
Rota online casino operators must meet robust compliance and AML standards aligned with U.S. federal law and international best practices. As a condition of licensing, each operator is required to implement a documented AML/CFT and KYC program that complies with the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, FinCEN guidance, FATF recommendations, and OFAC sanctions rules, including player identity verification, ongoing transaction monitoring, and the filing of suspicious activity reports where appropriate.
Internal control procedures and operational policies must be submitted to, and approved by, the Rota Casino Gaming Commission, together with evidence of adequate insurance coverage and technical safeguards. Operators are also expected to enforce strict geo-blocking (in particular, with respect to players located in any of the U.S. States and Territories) to prevent access from prohibited or unlicensed jurisdictions and to comply with applicable data-protection regimes (such as GDPR-style frameworks) when handling player information.
These requirements are supported by ongoing supervisory oversight, periodic audits, and detailed reporting to ensure that licensed platforms operate with integrity, transparency, and strong player protection.
Applicability of U.S. Federal Laws on Online Gambling
Because Rota is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (a U.S. Territory), U.S. federal gambling laws apply in principle to license holders, alongside CNMI and Rota-specific rules.
This includes, in particular, statutes such as the Wire Act (targeting online sportsbooks), the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and the Illegal Gambling Business Act, which focus on (i) bets and wagers transmitted by wire in interstate or foreign commerce, (ii) the processing of payments connected to unlawful internet gambling, and (iii) large-scale illegal gambling operations under federal law.
In practice, the impact of these laws depends on key factors such as where players are located, which jurisdictions are targeted, how payment flows are structured, and whether the underlying gambling activity is lawful in the relevant states or countries. For this reason, any operator using a Rota online casino license must carefully structure its business, implement strict geo-blocking and payment controls, and obtain tailored U.S. legal advice to assess federal exposure in light of its specific markets and product mix.
Access to PSPs & Financial Institutions in a U.S. Territory
A Rota casino license can be a valuable credibility marker when seeking access to U.S.-based payment service providers and merchant accounts, because it is issued within a U.S. Territory under a regulatory framework aligned with U.S. AML/CFT and player-protection standards.
For compliant operators, this means being able to present banks and PSPs with a clear licensing basis, documented KYC/AML procedures and ongoing regulatory oversight by the Rota Casino Gaming Commission—elements that many U.S. financial institutions consider essential when onboarding iGaming clients.
That said, acceptance is never automatic: each bank or PSP retains full discretion over its risk appetite, onboarding criteria and supported jurisdictions, so operators should expect detailed due diligence and should work with experienced legal and compliance advisors when approaching U.S. providers.
How Much Does a Rota Casino License Cost?
For a Rota Blue casino Sub-Operator (B2C) License, the main costs are:
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Application fee: USD 1,000 (deposit), paid on submission. It is refundable only if the license is issued; if the license is refused or the applicant withdraws, it is non-refundable.
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One-time initial license fee (B2C): USD 20,000, payable after approval and before the license is issued.
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Ongoing monthly license fee (B2C): USD 3,000.
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Additional domains: the license includes 1 domain; each additional domain (up to 30) costs USD 250 per month per domain, payable annually in a single lump sum.
Get in Touch and Obtain your Rota Casino License
If you are considering the new Rota casino license and want to understand how it fits with your specific business model, get in touch with Andrea Ricci, CPA. As a U.S. international tax and gaming-licensing specialist, Andrea can help you assess whether a Rota structure is right for you, compare domestic vs. offshore setups, and guide you step by step through the application and compliance process. Contact him today to discuss your project and receive tailored, professional advice before you commit time and capital.
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