Anjouan License Casino Reliability Review: Facts, Risks, and the ABC Investigation

The Anjouan license offers no legal protection in the Netherlands. The Dutch Gambling Authority (Ksa) does not recognize this permit, leaving players outside the law. Research shows that licenses are often fictitious and the Central Bank of the Comoros calls them illegal. Always choose a Ksa license for safety.

The Legal Status of Anjouan in the Netherlands

An anjouan license casino reliability review leads to one clear conclusion: these permits offer no legal protection in the Netherlands. The Dutch Gambling Authority (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 missing.

Does the Dutch Gambling Authority (Ksa) Recognize the Anjouan License?

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

The Lack of CRUKS Link and Player Protection

Casinos with an Anjouan license are not connected to CRUKS (Central Register of Exclusion for Gambling). This means that players with a gambling addiction are not automatically excluded, which goes against the core of Responsible Gambling in the Netherlands. The Remote Gambling Act requires legal providers to perform strict checks and link to CRUKS, but these offshore entities ignore this regulation. Without these safety nets, vulnerable players face a significantly higher risk of problematic gambling behavior and financial damage, as there is no central authority to intervene when signs of addiction appear.

Difference Between Legal (Ksa) and Offshore Licenses

Legal licenses from the Dutch Gambling Authority (Ksa) offer consumer legal protection, while offshore licenses such as Anjouan structurally lack this. Research from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) shows that the supervisor in Anjouan may be fictitious and the licenses are issued illegally. Where the Ksa sets strict requirements, controls on game quality and anti-money laundering (AML) in Anjouan are minimal. Many crypto casinos migrate to Anjouan precisely because they want to stay under the radar of strict compliance, which further undermines reliability. Players have no access to independent dispute committees with these offshore providers, making it almost impossible to reclaim money in case of bankruptcy.

Why the Anjouan License is Labeled 'Fictitious'

A thorough anjouan license casino reliability review shows that supervision is absent. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) concluded after intensive research that the licenses are in fact fictitious, because there is no effective enforcement. For Dutch players, this means that the protection they are used to from the Dutch Gambling Authority (Ksa) is completely absent, leading to significant financial risks in case of payout 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 real and serve purely as a marketing tool for offshore operators. The Australian medium points out that there are hardly any administrative obligations and that profit tax is missing, which attracts illegal gambling sites targeting players worldwide. The ABC emphasizes that there is no legitimate supervisor 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 permits 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 became part of the union again. The Central Bank of the Comoros states that the OAFA has no authority to issue gambling licenses, which undermines the legal basis of every Anjouan permit. This creates a situation where operators operate under a flag that is labeled invalid by the local government.

Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. Who is Behind It?

The issuance of licenses is in practice often facilitated by Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. an entity that claims to represent the OAFA but is itself based in Costa Rica. There is little transparency about the owners, but the ABC investigation brought names such as 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 seek anonymity. Without clear Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), players have no point of contact in case of fraud, which negatively affects the anjouan license casino 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 license casino reliability review shows that this permit is structurally weaker than alternatives. Where the Malta Gaming Authority and the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) exercise strict supervision, Anjouan offers minimal protection. As a result, players face higher risks of payout problems 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 due to the low threshold and costs. The license costs amount to 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 operating costs, which is unattainable for many starting platforms. In addition, issuance in Anjouan takes place within two to three weeks, without the need for physical establishment on the island.

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

Costs and Requirements: €17,000 for a Quick Permit

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

Anjouan, on the other hand, adopts 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 at the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority, but there is no independent dispute committee as is customary with the Ksa or MGA. This makes 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 'wild west', Anjouan offers a formal, albeit weak, license structure that Costa Rica lacks. Costa Rica has no specific gambling licenses, while Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. issues permits. However, this structure is often a smokescreen.

A clear example is BC.GAME. This platform left Curaçao after financial problems and bankruptcy petitions, to then 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 license casino 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 'fictitious' by authorities such as the ABC. Without recognized supervision, payouts and data security depend on the goodwill of the operator, not on legislation.

No guarantee on payouts in disputes

In the event of disputes, there is no independent complaints commission with binding authority. Although the licensing authority offers mediation, this process is voluntary and not enforceable. Players are entirely dependent on the integrity of the casino. Research shows that the license primarily serves as a 'tick box' for payment providers, without actual oversight of fair payouts. If an operator refuses to pay, the player has no legal recourse. The island government provides no functional 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: recognizing a fake Anjouan casino

Verifying legitimacy requires more than just seeing a logo. A serious operator uses SSL encryption to secure financial transactions against interception. Additionally, 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 display false claims regarding certification. Always verify whether the Random Number Generator has actually been tested by a third party, because without this audit, game manipulation is possible. A transparent KYC procedure is also essential. If this is missing, the risk of fraud is high. Look beyond the logo: seek independent audits and avoid platforms that accept only crypto without clear contact details.

Money laundering risks and Anti-Money Laundering Law

Due to weak oversight of the Anti-Money Laundering Law, 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 player accounts being frozen by international banks. Players face indirect risk because their funds become mixed with illegal flows. Reviews on platforms such as Trustpilot often show patterns of sudden account blocks on suspicious transactions, indicating internal, arbitrary enforcement rather than legal frameworks.

About This Article - Editorial Standards

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst Factually reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst Last updated: 2026-07-02.

This article on "anjouan license casino reliability review" was written by Sarah Weber and factually reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content for changes in regulation, licensing and bonus terms. All references to licenses, regulators and statutes link to public sources (the local gambling regulator, the applicable local gambling statute).

About the Author

8+ years reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms across the EU and globally. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialty: wagering requirements, withdrawal workflows, customer-support evaluation.

About the Reviewer

12+ years in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensed operators across multiple regulated markets. PhD in Economic Mathematics. Focus areas: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, and player-protection systems.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control of your play, please reach out to the relevant problem-gambling helpline or use the national self-exclusion register (the relevant national self-exclusion register). Set personal deposit and loss limits BEFORE you play with real money. Operator pauses and cooldown tools exist to keep play sustainable.

Legal Notice

The information in this article is provided for editorial and comparison purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Players are responsible for compliance with local regulations.