“The perfect jurisdiction for startups.” “Maximum operational flexibility from day one.” “An appealing choice for both established brands and new entrants.” On social media and specialist websites, a seductive narrative sings the praises of Anjouan’s casinos. According to these sources, this island in the Comoros archipelago, just a few hours by ferry from Mayotte, serves as a perfect gateway to the global online gambling market, known as iGaming.
But behind this promotional façade, the reality is far darker. Online casinos operating out of Anjouan have been accused of numerous abuses, including scams and money laundering, and operate with standards far below those enforced by European regulators. The legal value of licenses from this island is highly questionable: According to the Comorian penal code, “games of chance” are simply “prohibited.”
Nevertheless, according to an investigation by Le Monde and Dutch specialist website CasinoZorgplicht.nl, a subsidiary of Française des Jeux (FDJ), France’s national lottery operator, established itself there two months ago to sell its virtual slot machine software. The studio Relax Gaming, which employs more than 300 people, became part of the FDJ group after FDJ acquired the Swedish Kindred Group for €2.4 billion in 2024. This takeover opened the door for the French company to enter the online casino market, an area previously outside the scope of FDJ, which remains 21% state-owned.
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