The island of Anjouan, part of the Comoros archipelago located in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar, has come under scrutiny for its role in the issuance of online gambling licenses linked to operations accused of illegal activity. Although largely known for producing ylang-ylang oil and vanilla, Anjouan has gained notoriety for hosting a licensing regime at the center of a sprawling underground online casino network.
These licenses, which purportedly cover gambling, banking, and cryptocurrency trading, are being sold by intermediaries based primarily in the United Kingdom, according to multiple sources. The licensing system, managed through an entity called the Anjouan Offshore Financial Authority, claims to regulate nearly 1,500 gaming operators, many specializing in crypto gambling platforms. High-profile names associated with Anjouan licenses include BC.Game, a site that has sponsored Leicester City FC’s jerseys but faces accusations of targeting UK bettors without proper authorization.
Another license holder, BetBolt, recently courted controversy by staging promotions involving British figures such as pornographic actress Bonnie Blue and far-right activist Tommy Robinson. BetBolt’s marketing included claims of donations connected to Robinson and assertions that it does not operate within the UK market, although experts say it actively promotes services to British gamblers, frequently circumventing national self-exclusion tools like GamStop. Several platforms licensed through Anjouan employ virtual private networks to mask their location, further complicating regulatory oversight.
The Comoros government has condemned the licensing authority as illegitimate, labeling its operations "illegal activities" that exploit the country’s name to create a facade of legitimacy. Authorities in Comoros have announced plans to take legal action domestically against those involved and are seeking international cooperation with police and financial intelligence agencies. The government has specifically requested assistance from the UK, although British officials have declined to comment publicly.
Central to the licensing system is Anjouan Corporate Services, a purported UK-based consultancy offering “expert guidance” for obtaining the controversial licenses, charging fees as low as £19,000. Public records indicate that this company is linked to the Sorsky family, a London-based business group with a property portfolio exceeding £25 million. The family’s involvement appears significant: senior roles within Anjouan Corporate Services and related entities are held by multiple Sorsky family members, including Elliot Sorsky and his son Toby.
Elliot Sorsky, managing director of the Sherm Group—a family business headquartered in London linked to Anjouan Corporate Services—has drawn attention for his online presence and disputed academic credentials. Despite this, the family denies involvement in issuing gaming licenses. Harold Sorsky, another family member, told journalists that ACS Global Custodian Ltd, the UK company tied to Anjouan Corporate Services, has not sold gaming licenses since 2023 and contested reports connecting them to the gambling industry. He also insisted that Sherm Group and ACS are separate entities.
Industry analysts note that licenses from Anjouan provide a veneer of regulatory oversight that can facilitate business dealings with banks and payment providers, making them attractive to operators in the shadowy online gambling sector. However, this system also raises concerns about consumer protection and links to gambling addiction, as many of the licensed sites openly advertise their exemption from UK safeguards.
The situation highlights the challenges small states face in policing offshore licensing regimes and underscores the need for international scrutiny in combatting illicit online gambling and financial crimes linked to such operations.