ANJ Blacklist: How to Identify and Avoid Illegal Gambling Sites in France

The ANJ blacklist includes illegal gambling sites that have been administratively blocked in France. Managed by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), this list is not exhaustive. To play safely, always check for the ANJ approval on the site. Unlicensed platforms expose players to major risks of fraud, data theft, and addiction, with no legal recourse possible.

Understanding the Blacklist and Administrative Blocking System

The ANJ blacklist of illegal gambling sites lists platforms that have been subject to an administrative blocking order for non-compliance. Published by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), this list aims to protect players against the risks of fraud and addiction inherent to unregulated operators. Its non-exhaustive nature requires increased vigilance: safety relies above all on the positive verification of approved operators.

The Legal Framework and the Role of ISPs

The ANJ makes this blacklist available to the public on its official website, where it is regularly updated. This administrative blocking system requires internet service providers to restrict access to domains identified as illegal. The Law of March 2, 2022, strengthened this administrative policing power. It expands the Authority's prerogatives to fight illegal offers more effectively, targeting in particular payment facilitators and illicit advertisements.

This tool identifies outlawed actors, but it remains a retrospective corrective measure in the face of the proliferation of unauthorized offers. The Authority notifies its decision to ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and search engines. The latter have a legal obligation to execute the technical blocking of the targeted domain names.

The Limits of the Blacklist Against Mirror Sites

This list remains incomplete by definition. New illegal gambling sites and mirror sites constantly appear to bypass restrictions. Fraudulent operators quickly change domain names, making the list obsolete as soon as it is published. The absence of a URL on the blacklist therefore does not guarantee its legality. A site can be dangerous without appearing on it yet.

This measure shows its limits against mirror sites that frequently change addresses to avoid censorship. Consulting the blacklist should never replace the systematic verification of approval.

The Concrete Dangers of Unlicensed Platforms

The ANJ blacklist of illegal gambling sites signals administratively blocked platforms, but it does not offer an absolute guarantee of safety. Consulting this list is not enough. Any online casino not explicitly appearing on the whitelist of operators approved by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) exposes the player to major risks. This includes financial fraud and the compromise of personal data.

Financial Risks and Lack of Recourse

On an unregulated site, the absence of ring-fencing of funds means that your deposits are not protected. Testimonials confirm that winnings are rarely paid and that accounts can be blocked without legal justification. This financial opacity promotes money laundering, as these platforms operate outside the French prudential supervision framework. In the event of a dispute, the player has no legal recourse against the publisher.

The ANJ is not competent to resolve financial disputes or scams occurring on unlicensed sites. In the event of a fraudulent withdrawal or scam, you must contact the DGCCRF or report the incident to Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, a platform supported by the Ministry of the Interior.

Data Security and Uncontrolled Software

The lack of approval by the ANJ implies that the gaming software is not controlled. Cheating is therefore possible, with biased algorithms where randomness is not guaranteed, making the player systematically lose. At the same time, the security of personal and banking data is not assured. Users expose themselves to identity theft and bank fraud. Unlike legal operators subject to the GDPR, these sites often resell sensitive information, leading to subsequent credit card scams.

Lack of Protection Against Addiction

Illegal sites do not apply any responsible gaming measures. They offer neither deposit limits, nor self-exclusion mechanisms, nor strict verification of legal age. This lack of safeguards significantly increases the risk of over-indebtedness and pathological addiction. Unlike approved sites that reference the gambling self-exclusion file, these platforms allow vulnerable people to play without restriction. This worsens the social and health consequences of excessive gambling.

Distinguishing Legal from Illegal Offers in France

To play in compliance with French law, do not rely solely on the ANJ blacklist of illegal gambling sites, which remains non-exhaustive. The only absolute guarantee lies in consulting the positive list of operators approved by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). Any site absent from this official registry, or offering prohibited games such as slot machines, operates outside the law. It exposes players to major financial and legal risks.

Which Operators Are Legally Authorized?

Only license holders, such as FDJ, PMU, Winamax, Betclic, and Unibet, are authorized to offer gambling in France. These entities are subject to strict obligations: identity verification, the fight against addiction, and tax contributions. The approval directly links these licensed operators to the ANJ, ensuring transaction traceability that is impossible to find on the black market.

The Status of Online Casinos and E-Sports

The approval does not cover all games. In France, online casinos (roulette, blackjack, slot machines) are completely prohibited, as are bets on E-Sports. Even if a site displays a foreign license (Malta, Curaçao), it remains illegal if it offers these verticals from French territory. FDJ and PMU do not offer these games online, thus respecting the restrictive legal framework that prioritizes sports betting, horse racing betting, and poker.

How to Spot an Illegal Site Visually?

The absence of the "Operator approved by the ANJ" logo at the bottom of the page is the first warning sign. Beware of aggressive bonus or "VIP" offers that bypass the betting limits imposed by French regulation. Unlike approved operators like Winamax or Betclic, illegal sites do not systematically verify the identity or age of players, which increases the risk of data theft. Always check for the presence of a registered office in France and compliance with legal notices before making any deposit.

Reporting an Illegal Site and Taking Action

The ANJ blacklist of illegal gambling sites lists platforms subject to administrative blocking, but it is not exhaustive. A site absent from this list remains dangerous if it does not appear on the positive list of authorized operators.

If you identify a suspicious platform, you can alert the ANJ directly via its online reporting form. This process allows the regulator to open an investigation and, if the illegality is confirmed, to extend the scope of the administrative blocking to protect the player community. Your vigilance thus helps to update the list of banned sites.

About this Article - Editorial & Responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

Verified by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst

Last updated: 2026-08-03.

This article on the "ANJ blacklist of illegal gambling sites" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content to reflect regulatory changes, licensing, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, authorities, or legal frameworks refer to public sources (ANJ (National Gaming Authority), Law of May 12, 2010 on the opening of online gambling).

About the Author

8+ years of casino testing, 200+ platforms personally tested in the EU and internationally. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialization: wagering requirements, withdrawal processes, customer support evaluation.

About the Reviewer

12+ years in the iGaming industry, including 5 years in compliance consulting for operators licensed under the French ANJ framework. PhD in economic mathematics. Areas: bonus mathematics, wager analysis, player protection systems.

Responsible Gaming

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs, or use the national self-exclusion registry (gambling self-exclusion file (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing with real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are key to sustainable enjoyment.

Legal Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided for editorial and comparative purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Players remain responsible for complying with local regulations.