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The Anjouan Gaming Authority has moved to clarify the scope of its internet gaming licences after recent public commentary questioned their legal reach.
The regulator explained that its permits are issued under the framework of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan and administered through the relevant public bodies responsible for offshore financial and gaming oversight.
While the programme allows qualifying operators to be licensed, the Authority stressed that these licences are not a blanket authorization to operate everywhere.
The clarification was aimed at separating offshore licensing from local authorization, reminding stakeholders that operators remain responsible for compliance in the markets where they advertise, accept players, or process payments.
According to a LinkedIn post from the regulator on June 10, “An Anjouan Internet Gaming Licence is not, and has never been presented as, a universal authorization to operate in every country in the world.”
Anjouan highlights the strength of its framework
The Authority explained that licences are tied to Anjouan’s legal and administrative system, with specific activities covered and ongoing obligations imposed on licensees.
Operators must meet requirements such as due diligence, AML/KYC checks, responsible gaming standards, technical platform compliance, and complaint‑handling procedures. Website approval and public verification mechanisms are also part of the framework.
Enforcement measures, including suspension or revocation, can be applied when necessary.
The post welcomed constructive debate and comparative analysis between jurisdictions, noting that operators have different needs depending on their markets, risk profiles, and long‑term strategies.
However, the Authority warned against commentary that conflates offshore licensing with local authorization or uses misconduct by individual operators as evidence against the entire framework. It argued that such claims misrepresent the legal basis of the licences and risk misleading stakeholders.
“An Anjouan Internet Gaming Licence is not, and has never been presented as, a universal authorisation to operate in every country in the world,” the statement read.
“Anjouan Gaming remains committed to the development of a practical, transparent, and commercially accessible internet gaming licensing framework, while making clear that licensees remain responsible for lawful conduct in their chosen markets.”
For verification of licence status, approved domains, and related public information, stakeholders were advised to consult official Anjouan Gaming channels and the public register.
Flutter warns against illegal gambling market ahead of World Cup
Anjouan’s statement coincidentally came on the same day Flutter Entertainment published an op‑ed by Dan Taylor, its President and CEO of Flutter International.
The op‑ed warned of the growing threat posed by offshore operators. Taylor said, “A risk far greater to consumers than competition between licensed operators is the rapid, largely unchecked growth of offshore illegal betting sites.”
He pointed to UN data suggesting illegal wagering during the World Cup could exceed the legal market globally, a trajectory he argued should alarm regulators. He also referenced UK data that shows the illegal gambling market could hit £33 billion in 2028.
Taylor concluded by urging governments, regulators, technology platforms, and licensed operators to “line up together” to close the gap, reminding stakeholders that while soccer thrives on fair rules, the illegal market “tears up such rulebooks, is playing without a referee, and faces no consequences at the final whistle.”
