Anjouan licences under scrutiny: What the Comoros warning means for iGaming operators

In early January 2026, officials from the Comoros issued a warning to the iGaming industry. They claim a growing market for Anjouan gambling licenses involves entities with no legal authority to sell them. Following an investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in late December, the Comoros government now describes some of these license-granting organizations as “fictitious.”

The authority crisis

For years, operators viewed Anjouan as a straightforward route to market. It offered fast approvals and lower overhead compared to traditional hubs. However, the current controversy is not about whether Anjouan’s rules are too lenient; it is about who actually holds regulatory authority.

The Comoros authorities dispute the legitimacy of the issuing bodies behind many online application portals. While a document may appear official in a presentation, the state warns these licenses carry no formal recognition. The original reporting suggests that while these licenses may work in the short term, they become difficult to defend when a payment dispute or regulatory audit arises.

Why your “paperwork” matters for payments

The risk is not just a legal technicality. It directly affects daily operations. Even without a court ruling, the perception of a disputed license can disrupt your business in several ways:

• Banking and payments: Banks and payment service providers may withdraw services or tighten terms based on negative media coverage alone.
• B2B partnerships: Leading game studios and aggregators are applying stricter partner due diligence. A contested license can delay your launch and weaken your negotiating position.
• Player trust: If players perceive that your regulator lacks authority, confidence declines. Resolving complaints becomes more complex when the “authority” behind you lacks legal standing.

Run this due diligence checklist

Before committing to a licensing route, treat the license as a commercial asset, not just a checkbox. Use this framework:

1. Identify the issuing body: Confirm the legal identity of the authority. Does the national institution with regulatory power recognize it?
2. Verify the legal basis: Check which specific law or regulation the license relies on. Ensure no recent amendments have overridden that authority.
3. Test third-party acceptance: Ask payment providers and game studios how they assess the license during onboarding.
4. Look for enforcement: A legitimate regulator does more than collect fees. Look for a track record of suspensions, sanctions, and clear dispute resolution processes.
5. Plan your exit: Determine whether you can migrate your business without rebuilding from scratch if the jurisdiction’s reputation changes.

The Anjouan situation shows that the market no longer tolerates ambiguity. Fast market entry is valuable, but long-term brand stability depends on jurisdictions and partners that can withstand scrutiny.