The Guardian reports that the island of Anjouan, part of the Union of Comoros, is fighting an offshore online gambling network whose unofficial licences have been tied to London-based investors. Investigators found that nearly 1,500 gaming licence holders appear on the Anjouan Gaming Authority public register, many focused on crypto gambling, and some brands such as BC.Game have been accused of taking bets from UK customers without a British licence. The paper links the operation to the Sherm Group, a Finchley property business with a portfolio worth more than £25 million, and to its managing director Elliot Sorsky, whose LinkedIn profile included disputed academic claims and whose family are alleged to act as fixers for underground casinos. Evidence suggests sellers in London have offered unofficial licences for banking, cryptocurrency trading and gambling while using Anjouan as the listed base. High-profile stunts tied to newcomers such as BetBolt include a claimed $1.2 million payment to the porn actor Bonnie Blue and an appearance by far right activist Tommy Robinson as a guest croupier. Anjouan has begun pushing back and is asking Britain for help to curb operators who have co-opted the island's name and registers.
