Comoros authorities says Anjouan casinos are illegitimate
The Comoros government is seeking assistance from British authorities as it prepares legal action against businesses allegedly selling unauthorised online gambling licences using the name of its island of Anjouan.
An investigation published on October 19 identified links between the offshore licensing industry and members of a British family associated with London-based property business Sherm Group.
The Anjouan Gaming register lists nearly 1,500 licence holders, including cryptocurrency casinos and online casinos targeting customers in jurisdictions where they lack local gambling authorisation.
However, Comoros authorities dispute the legitimacy of the licensing system.
The country’s central bank has described the activities as illegal, while government representatives say the licensing bodies have misused the country’s name to create an appearance of regulatory legitimacy.
The government confirmed that it was preparing domestic judicial proceedings and seeking international law enforcement cooperation, including assistance from the United Kingdom, which is regarded as one of the leaders in iGaming regulation.
UK company ACS Global Custodian has been linked through corporate records to the licensing business, although its representatives deny selling or issuing gambling licences since taking control in 2023.
The dispute raises questions about the regulatory standing of offshore casinos relying on Anjouan authorisation, particularly those accepting customers in markets requiring local licences.
