British family exploits Anjouan licences to run illegal online gambling empire
A London-based family is selling sham licences from the Comorian island of Anjouan to offshore casinos that target UK players and evade regulation.
Anjouan, a small volcanic island in the Union of Comoros, has become a hub for illicit online gambling licences sold by the Sherm Group, a property-focused family business in Finchley, London. Managing director Elliot Sorsky and his sons, including Toby Sorsky, run Anjouan Corporate Services, which charges around £19,000 for licences that purportedly legitimize crypto-gaming and banking operations. Operators such as BetBolt and SlotsCharm use these licences to attract vulnerable UK gamblers, often bypassing the GamStop self-exclusion tool and pressuring players to continue betting.
The Central Bank of the Comoros has labeled the licensing regime a “serious concern” and announced forthcoming legal action, while also seeking cooperation from UK law-enforcement. Industry analysts warn the arrangement facilitates money-laundering and undermines efforts to regulate online gambling.
Why it matters
It shows how fake offshore licences enable illegal gambling and potential money-laundering that affect UK consumers.
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