The central bank of Comoros has declared that Gambana, a gambling website promoted by a high-profile Irish tipster, is operating under a fraudulent licence
. The platform, which is owned by a firm registered in Belize, claims to be regulated in Anjouan, an island that is part of the Comoros archipelago.
Rob Heneghan, the operator of Pro Sports Advice, previously used Telegram to promote Gambana to his followers. According to reporting by The Irish Times, Heneghan deleted these promotional posts after the publication queried his recommendations, which included advising followers to lodge $1,000 (€857) with the site for good risk management
.
Regulatory Status in the Union of Comoros
Ait-Ahmed Djalim, the secretary general of the Comoros central bank’s financial intelligence unit, stated that the license used by Gambana is fraudulent. He clarified that gambling activities are not authorized within the Union of the Comoros.
We inform you that the Anjouan offshore financial authority is not recognised in the Union of the Comoros. This entity issues licences illegally.
Ait-Ahmed Djalim, secretary general of the Comoros central bank’s financial intelligence unit
Djalim further noted that the central bank of the Comoros is the only authority authorized to issue permits, approvals, or licenses for financial and banking activities under the laws of the Union of Comoros. He emphasized that the island of Anjouan does not possess its own laws and that only the laws of the Union of Comoros are recognized.
The Role of the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority
The controversy centers on the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA), a regulatory body established by Anjouan’s separatist government after the island briefly declared independence from the Comoros in the late 1990s. Although Anjouan has since rejoined the Union of Comoros, the AOFA continued to issue licenses to offshore operators.
The legitimacy of this regulatory body has been challenged by international institutions. The World Bank previously declared that the creation of offshore banks in Anjouan was illegal. The AOFA has been linked to scandals involving allegations of attracting criminals and money laundering.
Impact on Irish Users and Influencers
Unregulated gambling platforms using these fictitious licenses from Anjouan have increasingly targeted users in Ireland. Social media influencers and tipsters have been instrumental in driving this trend by promoting these platforms despite existing regulatory warnings.
The use of offshore jurisdictions like Belize and the Comoros archipelago allows these operators to bypass strict national gambling regulations. By claiming regulation through a body like the AOFA, platforms can present a veneer of legitimacy to users who may not be aware of the political and legal status of Anjouan.
The case of Gambana highlights a broader trend of offshore operators utilizing rogue regulatory bodies to gain access to European markets. The lack of recognized oversight leaves users exposed to risks associated with unregulated financial environments and fraudulent licensing claims.