Influencer-Backed Betting Site Gambana Uses 'Fraudulent' Comoros Licence, Says Central Bank
A high-profile Irish tipster has deleted promotional content for a gambling website after the Central Bank of Comoros declared the operator's regulatory licence to be "fraudulent". The revelation highlights the growing use of obscure jurisdictional claims to legitimise unregulated betting platforms that offer no consumer protection to gamblers in Europe.
Rob Heneghan, known for his "Pro Sports Advice" service, removed posts recommending Gambana following inquiries from journalists. The site, which is registered in Belize, claims to be regulated by the "Anjouan offshore financial authority". However, the Union of the Comoros has stated that this body is not recognised and issues licences illegally.
Background and Context
The case centres on the island of Anjouan, part of the Union of the Comoros. Anjouan briefly declared independence in the late 1990s but has since rejoined the Union. In the last two years, there has been a proliferation of black-market gambling sites claiming legitimacy through a regulator established during that breakaway era. According to Ait-Ahmed Djalim, secretary general of the Central Bank of Comoros' financial intelligence unit, the entity issuing these licences is operating outside the law. "The island of Anjouan does not have its own laws. Only the laws of the Union of the Comoros are recognised," Djalim stated, confirming that gambling activities are not authorised in the Union.
Key Figures and Entities
Rob Heneghan markets himself as the world's most followed racing pundit, commanding more than one million followers across TikTok and Instagram. His Telegram channel, Pro Sports Advice, has over 60,000 subscribers and charges between €19 and €149 per month for tipping services, with a "platinum lifetime" membership available for €3,999. In January and February, the channel actively promoted Gambana, advising followers to use the platform for bets on Premier League matches and specifically encouraging them to deposit $1,000 (€857) to "avail of a deposit bonus". Following the exposure of the licence issue, these posts were deleted. Heneghan has not clarified whether he had a commercial relationship with the betting site.
Legal and Financial Mechanisms
Financial regulators warn that sites using such fraudulent licences leave punters exposed to significant financial risk, as there is no legal recourse to recover lost funds. The "Anjouan" licence allows operators to mimic the appearance of regulation while operating in a regulatory blind spot. While Heneghan’s legal representatives stated that his service provides "betting opinions and analysis" similar to the Racing Post and does not handle client funds, the direct recommendation to deposit specific sums into an unregulated platform raises questions about consumer duty. This stands in contrast to a post Heneghan made in 2021, where he urged followers to "run ... and never look back!" if a tipster ever shared a bookmaker sign-up link.
International Implications and Policy Response
The use of influencers to drive traffic to these obscure jurisdictions presents a challenge for regulators in Ireland and the UK. As mainstream betting platforms face stricter advertising rules, unregulated sites are increasingly using social media personalities to reach younger audiences. The Central Bank of Comoros' explicit designation of the Anjouan authority as illegal provides a basis for international cooperation, yet enforcement remains difficult against operators based offshore and promoters using digital platforms. Researchers emphasise that without robust cross-border oversight, the black-market gambling sector will continue to exploit regulatory gaps to the detriment of consumers.
Sources
This report draws on investigations by The Irish Times, official statements from the Central Bank of Comoros, and public social media activity archived from Telegram and Instagram.
