Anjouan casino license reliability review: facts, risks and the ABC investigation

The Anjouan license offers no legal protection in the Netherlands. The Kansspelautoriteit does not recognize this license, meaning players fall outside the law. Research shows that the licenses are often fictitious and the Central Bank of the Comoros calls them illegal. For safety, always choose a Ksa license.

The legal status of Anjouan in the Netherlands

An Anjouan casino license reliability review leads to one clear conclusion: these licenses offer no legal protection in the Netherlands. The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) does not recognize Anjouan, meaning players fall outside the Remote Gambling Act. Because these offshore licenses have no link to CRUKS, essential player protection against gambling addiction and fraud is lacking.

Does the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) recognize the Anjouan license?

No, offering games of chance to Dutch consumers is only legal with a license from the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa). The Ksa strictly enforces that foreign licenses, including those from Anjouan, have no validity within the Dutch legal order. Anjouan is an island that is part of the Comoros, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Although operators claim to be legal through the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (OAFA), the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) clearly states that only their own license is legally valid for the Dutch market. Players on sites with an Anjouan license therefore operate in a legal vacuum without recourse to the Dutch government.

The lack of CRUKS integration and player protection

Casinos with an Anjouan license are not connected to CRUKS (Central Register Exclusion Games of Chance). This means that players with a gambling addiction are not automatically barred, which goes against the core of Responsible Gambling in the Netherlands. The Remote Gambling Act obliges legal operators to perform strict checks and integrate with CRUKS, but these offshore entities ignore these regulations. Without these safety nets, vulnerable players run a significantly higher risk of problematic gambling behavior and financial damage, as there is no central authority to intervene at signs of addiction.

Difference between legal (Ksa) and offshore licenses

Legal licenses from the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) offer consumer law protection, while offshore licenses such as Anjouan structurally lack this. Research by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) shows that the regulator in Anjouan may be fictitious and the licenses are issued illegally. Where the Ksa sets strict requirements, the checks on game quality and anti-money laundering (AML) in Anjouan are minimal. Many crypto casinos migrate to Anjouan precisely because they want to remain under the radar of strict compliance, which further undermines reliability. Players do not have access to independent dispute resolution committees with these offshore operators, making the recovery of funds in the event of bankruptcy virtually impossible.

Why the Anjouan license is labeled as 'fictitious'

A thorough Anjouan casino license reliability review shows that supervision is absent. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) concluded after intensive research that the licenses are actually fictitious, as there is no effective enforcement. For Dutch players, this means that the protection they are used to from the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) is completely absent, leading to significant financial risks in case of withdrawal problems.

The ABC investigation: lack of supervision and enforcement

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) states that the licenses issued on the island of Anjouan are not genuine and serve purely as a marketing tool for offshore operators. The Australian outlet points out that there are hardly any administrative obligations and that profit tax is absent, which attracts illegal gambling sites targeting players worldwide. The ABC emphasizes that there is no legitimate regulator checking the fairness of games or the solvency of casinos. This lack of transparency makes it impossible for players to resolve disputes, as complaint procedures are often nothing more than a digital form without legal teeth.

The role of the Central Bank of the Comoros and the OAFA

The position of the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (OAFA) is directly undermined by the highest financial authority in the region. The Central Bank of the Comoros declared in an official statement in 2023 that the activities of the OAFA and the licenses issued by them are illegal. Although the OAFA claims to be the legal representative for issuing gaming licenses, the government of the Comoros no longer recognizes this authority since Anjouan rejoined the union. The Central Bank of the Comoros states that the OAFA has no power to issue gambling licenses, which undermines the legal basis of any Anjouan license. This creates a situation where operators function under a flag that the local government deems invalid.

Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. who is behind it?

The issuance of licenses is in practice often facilitated by Anjouan Licensing Services Inc., an entity claiming to represent the OAFA but itself based in Costa Rica. There is little transparency about the owners, but the ABC investigation brought names like Toby S. and Elliot Sorsky to light. Toby S., a Canadian entrepreneur whose domain names are linked to Anjouan Licensing Services Inc., refuses to comment on the structure. The link between Toby S. and the United Kingdom suggests a network of offshore structures that consciously seeks anonymity. Without clear Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), players have no point of contact in case of fraud, which negatively impacts the Anjouan casino license reliability review. Players must be aware that they are playing on platforms without legal certainty.

Anjouan versus Curaçao and Malta: a comparison of reliability

An Anjouan casino license reliability review shows that this license is structurally weaker than alternatives. Where the Malta Gaming Authority and the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) maintain strict supervision, Anjouan offers minimal protection. As a result, players face higher risks of withdrawal issues and have no legal recourse in case of disputes, unlike in regulated markets.

Why operators switch from Curaçao to Anjouan

Operators migrate to Anjouan primarily because of the low barrier to entry and costs. The license fees are approximately €17.000, a fraction of the investment required for a license from the Malta Gaming Authority. This Malta Gaming Authority is known for rigorous compliance requirements and high operational costs, which is unfeasible for many start-up platforms. In addition, the issuance in Anjouan takes place within two to three weeks, without the need for a physical presence on the island.

This flexibility specifically attracts Crypto Casinos. These platforms value the minimal administrative burden and the lack of strict KYC protocols, allowing them to offer anonymity to players. Although this is attractive to operators, for players it means there is no guarantee of fair play or protection of funds.

Costs and requirements: €17.000 for a quick license

The regulatory landscape differs significantly from Curaçao. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has significantly tightened requirements for licensees. This Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) now enforces stricter compliance with anti-money laundering rules and responsible gambling, leading to an exodus of operators wishing to avoid these burdens.

Anjouan, on the other hand, takes a 'laissez-faire' approach. There is no active supervision of the fairness of games or the solvency of the casino. Complaints are handled via a simple online form with the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority, but there is no independent dispute resolution committee as is common with the Ksa or MGA. This leaves the player's position vulnerable in financial disputes.

The risk for players at crypto casinos and pay-and-play sites

Although both jurisdictions are labeled as 'wild west', Anjouan offers a formal, albeit weak, licensing structure that Costa Rica lacks. Costa Rica has no specific gambling licenses, whereas Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. issues licenses. However, this structure is often a smokescreen.

A clear example is BC.GAME. This platform left Curaçao after financial problems and bankruptcy filings, only to continue under an Anjouan flag. This BC.GAME case illustrates the risk: operators use Anjouan to escape stricter regimes. Without real enforcement, the player is left with a license that has little legal value in case of non-payment.

Risks for the Dutch player

An Anjouan casino license reliability review reveals structural shortcomings in player protection. Unlike the Ksa, Anjouan does not enforce strict rules for Responsible Gambling or financial integrity. Players lack legal certainty because the license is often labeled as 'fictitious' by authorities such as the ABC. Without recognized supervision, withdrawals and data security depend on the goodwill of the operator, not on legislation.

No guarantee on payouts in case of disputes

In case of disputes, an independent complaints committee with binding power is lacking. Although the licensor offers mediation, this process is voluntary and not enforceable. Players are completely dependent on the integrity of the casino. Research shows that the license primarily serves as a 'tick box' for payment providers, without actual supervision over fair payouts. If an operator refuses to pay, the player has no legal recourse. The island government does not offer functioning support via an official website. This stands in stark contrast to the Responsible Gambling standards of the Ksa, where disputes are resolved through a recognized body.

Safety: how to recognize a fake Anjouan casino

Checking legitimacy requires more than just seeing a logo. A serious operator uses SSL encryption to protect financial transactions against interception. In addition, fair play must be guaranteed by a certified Random Number Generator (RNG). This RNG ensures unbiased outcomes and is ideally audited by labs such as iTech Labs or GLI. However, many Anjouan casinos show false claims about certification. Always check whether the Random Number Generator has actually been tested by a third party, because without this audit, manipulation of games is possible. A transparent KYC procedure is also essential; if this is missing, the risk of fraud is high. Look beyond the logo: search for independent audits and avoid platforms that only accept crypto without clear contact details.

Money laundering risks and Anti-Money Laundering Act

Due to weak supervision of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, these platforms pose a risk for money laundering practices. Anjouan is known as a haven for crypto casinos wishing to bypass strict KYC checks. This lack of compliance can lead to the freezing of player accounts by international banks. Players run an indirect risk because their funds become mixed with illegal flows. Reviews on platforms such as Trustpilot often show patterns of sudden account blocks during suspicious transactions, indicating internal, arbitrary enforcement instead of legal frameworks.

About this article - Editorial guidelines

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst

Fact-checked by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst

Last updated: 2026-07-09.

This article about "anjouan casino license reliability review" was written by Sarah Weber and fact-checked by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both work at the

About the author

8+ years of experience reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms in the EU and worldwide. Former member of eCO

About the reviewer

More than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, of which 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensees in various regulated markets. PhD in

Responsible gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel like you are losing control of your gaming, please contact the relevant helpline for gambling proble

Legal notice

The information in this article is solely intended for editorial and comparison purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Players are solely responsible for complying with local regulations.