Small island fights back against crypto gambling hub

The island of Anjouan, rising out of the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar, is part of the Union of Comoros – and appears to be a hub for alleged illegal underground online gambling. The African island has become notorious for selling licences to rogue casinos, many operating illegally, reports The Guardian. Some appear to be targeting vulnerable customers, while others have been accused of refusing to pay out winnings. At least one appears to be chasing British gamblers, via high-profile stunts involving the porn actor Bonnie Blue and the far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson. The island’s name seems to have been co-opted by a small cadre of mostly British businessmen flogging unofficial ‘licences’ for banking, cryptocurrency trading and, it appears, gambling, all from the safety of a leafy London suburb. Now though, the island is fighting back – and it wants Britain’s help. Evidence suggests that members of the Sorsky family, who own the Sherm Group, may have acted as the go-to fixers for underground casinos targeting players around the world. There are nearly 1 500 gaming licence holders on the public register of the Anjouan Gaming Authority, many specialising in crypto gambling. Anjouan Gaming claims it was established under Comoros law to oversee licences in gaming, crypto, brokerage, banking and insurance. But that, according to the Comoros Government, is an elaborate fiction. The Comoros Government that said ‘British citizens have been identified’ in relation to an unauthorised licensing regime.

Full report in The Guardian