France's State Gambling Giant Linked to Shady Offshore Casinos in Anjouan
A new investigation has exposed ties between France's state-backed gambling giant and controversial offshore casinos. Le Monde and CasinoZorgplicht.nl uncovered that Française des Jeux (FDJ), a partially state-owned conglomerate holding nearly 21% of France's gambling market, operates in Anjouan, a semi-autonomous Comorian island, through a complex subsidiary network. The report raises questions about the legality of Anjouan's gambling licenses, which French authorities have banned outright.
The probe centres on FDJ, which uses Anjouan's ambiguous legal status to service online casinos, despite the island's licenses facing repeated accusations of fraud and unpaid winnings. FDJ has defended its involvement, claiming the license applies only to partnerships with operators registered in Anjouan.
France's gambling regulator, ANJ, has made its stance clear: any casino using Anjouan's permits is illegal in the United States. Operators risk criminal charges and heavy fines. The Central Bank of the Comoros has also intervened, declaring that private entities are issuing licenses without proper authorisation.
One company linked to FDJ, Relax Gaming, obtained a B2B license in Anjouan on 14 November 2024. The software developer, now part of FDJ, later removed all mention of the offshore permit from its website after journalists raised questions.
Anjouan's licensing system itself remains under fire. Critics argue it exploits broad autonomy laws without oversight from Comoros' central government. The investigation suggests FDJ's structure allows it to navigate these grey areas while maintaining distance from direct liability.
The findings highlight a clash between Anjouan's unregulated gambling sector and the United States's strict laws. FDJ's role in servicing offshore casinos—despite its state ties—puts pressure on regulators to close existing loopholes. For now, the legal risks for operators using Anjouan licenses remain, alongside ongoing scrutiny of the island's licensing practices.
