Anjouan gambling licences and the UK market

Sami Kurvinen

Published on: 21 October 2026

5 minutes

The Guardian has reported an alleged link between a group of London-based businessmen, primarily the Sorsky family, and a network that sells questionable gambling licences by falsely issuing Anjouan gambling licences to online casinos that illegally target customers in the UK and other countries.

The individuals concerned deny the allegations.

We decided to have a closer look at the Anjouan gambling licences and how these can be used to illegally target UK customers.

How do you get a gambling licence from the island of Anjouan?

There are two main types of gambling licenses.

Regulated markets such as the UK require companies to apply to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a gambling license and obtain one before legally accepting UK players.

The other type is a gambling license used to target players from unregulated markets. Malta, Gibraltar, Curaçao, and, more recently, the small African island of Anjouan are among the most commonly used.

According to the licensing framework advertised by Anjouan Gaming, operators generally need to:

1. Set up a company through a registered agent.
2. Submit ownership and identity documents, including information about beneficial owners, directors and shareholders.
3. Apply for the appropriate licence — typically a B2C licence to operate a casino or betting site, or a B2B licence to supply gambling technology and services.
4. Pass due diligence and suitability checks before approval and registration.

Why would a gambling company want an Anjouan license?

There are several reasons to choose an Anjouan license.

The main reasons include:

• Lower costs: Anjouan licences are marketed as cheaper than licences in some more established offshore jurisdictions.
• Faster or easier market entry: Operators may perceive the application process as less burdensome than regulation in the UK or other tightly regulated markets.
• A veneer of legitimacy: A licence badge can make a casino appear regulated and reassure players, payment providers and business partners.
• Access to international customers: An offshore licence can form part of a company’s international operating structure, subject to the laws of each market it serves.
• Crypto-gambling opportunities: Anjouan has attracted operators offering cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals.

Relatively inexpensive licensing and the commercial value of appearing regulated are deciding factors for some companies when applying for an Anjouan license.

Can gambling companies target UK customers with an Anjouan license?

Gambling companies are legally prohibited from targeting UK customers without a valid UKGC license. However, that doesn’t mean these offshore companies aren’t accessible to UK players.

Some offshore sites even advertise to British audiences or use promotions that attract British players. They also encourage the use of VPN services to access their sites in some cases.

Unfortunately, there have also been cases when illegal casinos target vulnerable people who have self-excluded through GamStop by ranking on related keywords on search engines such as Google.

Why do offshore licensed gambling sites target UK players?

The UK is an attractive market because it has a large, established audience of online gamblers, substantial spending potential and a mature sports-betting and casino culture.

For an operator that is not properly licensed in Britain, attracting UK customers may offer:

• Revenue opportunities: Access to a large pool of potential customers.
• A competitive advantage: Avoiding some of the compliance costs, high taxes and consumer-protection obligations imposed on legitimate UK operators.
• Fewer restrictions: Some offshore sites offer products, bonuses or gambling experiences that regulated operators cannot offer in the same way.
• Access to vulnerable customers: Some sites may attempt to attract people who have self-excluded or are seeking ways around UK safeguards.
• International reach through online marketing: Social media, influencers, sponsorships, affiliate websites and search results can expose British users to offshore brands.

These incentives do not apply equally to every offshore business. Some operate in markets where they are authorised while others deliberately target jurisdictions where they lack the necessary permissions.

What are the UK government and UKGC doing to prevent UK customers from accessing illegal gambling sites online?

Offshore online casinos and betting sites targeting UK customers are a growing issue, and reports indicate that the black market is increasing every year.

However, the UK government’s approach to tackle these issues includes enforcement, disruption of websites and payments, international cooperation, and new legal powers

Some of the main actions include:

• Cease-and-desist notices
• Removing websites from search results
• Disrupting payments and advertising
• Stronger legal powers
• More resources and coordinated action
• Tackling sponsorship and promotion

This is not enough to stop illegal sites, as offshore operators can change domains, use mirror sites, move their infrastructure abroad and promote themselves through social media or influencers.

Search-engine removal alone does not stop someone who already knows a website address from visiting it, and technical access restrictions can sometimes be circumvented.

What are the risks of gambling on offshore gambling sites?

The risks to British players include disputes over unpaid winnings, weaker complaint mechanisms, misuse of personal information, fraud and inadequate protection against gambling harm. The UKGC also warns that illegal gambling can create money-laundering risks

How can you tell whether a gambling site has a valid UKGC license?

All UKGC-licensed gambling sites must display their UKGC license account number at the bottom of the site (also called the footer). So, if you’re unsure, always check that information before playing to ensure you’re on a legal gambling site.

At CasinoWizard.com, we list and promote only UKGC-licensed slot sites.