Revealed: African island fights offshore gambling network linked to UK family
London-based property investors deny selling licences to casinos claiming to be based on Anjouan, a tiny Indian Ocean island The island of Anjouan, rising out of the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar, is a corner of the Earth that few people have heard of, let alone laid eyes on. Known as Nzwani in the local language, this tiny volcanic island – one of a collection that make up the…
Anjouan, a small volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, is becoming infamous for its role in the black market of online gambling. Many gaming licences held by the Anjouan Gaming Authority are reportedly issued to rogue casinos, some of which may be targeting vulnerable customers and refusing to pay out winnings. Some of these offshore casinos are being operated from a London suburb, 5,000 miles away from the island.
The Sherm Group, a property investment company based in Finchley, is at the centre of the controversy. The family-run business owns a £25 million property portfolio and claims to offer ancillary services such as asset finance and private jet travel. The company’s managing director, Elliot Sorsky, is a controversial figure who has been accused of exaggerating his qualifications and degrees.
The family's involvement in gambling goes beyond poker, as there are indications that members of the family may have acted as fixers for underground casinos worldwide. The British gambling regulator, GamStop, has issued warnings about the Anjouan-licensed casinos that are not listed on its platform, targeting British gamblers who need help.
The Anjouan Gaming Authority, which claims to be governed by Comoros law, has been criticized for its illegitimate licensing regime, undermining the country's efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
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