Investigative journalists have reported that Française des Jeux (FDJ) — France’s state-owned gambling group — has business exposure to the offshore gambling jurisdiction of Anjouan. The French state currently holds around 21% of FDJ’s shares.
🔍 Investigation highlights
In 2024, FDJ entered the online casino segment for the first time through the acquisition of Relax Gaming, alongside Sweden-based Kindred Group.
On 14 November 2025, Relax Gaming:
- obtained a B2B gambling licence in Anjouan
- began supplying casino software to locally licensed operators
The controversy centres on the legal status of Anjouan licences. Gambling permits on the island are issued under legacy legislation adopted during Anjouan’s period of autonomy. After that autonomy was abolished, the Union of the Comoros never formally ratified a national gambling framework, leaving the validity of such licences legally uncertain to this day.
FDJ’s position
FDJ has declined to comment on the legal standing of Anjouan-issued licences. However, following the publication of the investigation, references to the offshore licence were removed from Relax Gaming’s website.
In response, a French regulator reiterated that:
- online casinos licensed in Anjouan are illegal in France
- violations may result in substantial fines and criminal liability
A regulatory grey zone
Despite the strong warning, the situation remains complex. French gambling law does not explicitly regulate iGaming software providers, focusing instead on operators. As a result, the activities of suppliers like Relax Gaming currently sit in a legal grey area, even when their clients operate under offshore licences banned for French-facing gambling.
