ANJ License and Legality of Online Casinos France: Complete Guide 2026

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) license does not cover classic online casinos. Law No. 2010-476 strictly prohibits slot machines and table games on the Internet. Approval is reserved for sports betting, horse racing betting, and poker. Playing on a site that is not approved carries significant financial risks. The Ministry of the Interior manages authorizations for land-based establishments, while the ANJ alone regulates the legal digital offer.

Legal Framework: Why the ANJ license does not include traditional online casinos

The ANJ license and legality of online casinos in France are based on a clear distinction. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) regulates poker, sports betting, and horse racing betting. Online casinos, including slot machines and table games, remain prohibited by Law No. 2010-476. The Internal Security Code (CSI) classifies these activities as illegal outside of approved land-based establishments.

The three categories of games authorized by the ANJ

Three types of betting obtain a valid ANJ License: sports betting, horse racing betting, and poker. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) issues these approvals after verifying operator compliance. This selection aims to protect players against the risks of addiction associated with pure games of chance. It allows a secure framework for games of relative skill like poker. Operators like Unibet are among the approved operators. They offer a secure legal alternative for betting and poker enthusiasts.

The formal ban on slot machines and table games

Law No. 2010-476 prohibits the operation of online casinos offering slot machines, roulette, or blackjack. The Internal Security Code (CSI) confirms this prohibition in Article L. 320-1. It reserves these games for land-based establishments. Any online offering of these games constitutes a criminal offense. The operator risks up to three years' imprisonment and a 90 000 euro fine. The concept of a "legal online casino" in France is legally non-existent for these categories.

The distinction between ANJ regulation and the Ministry of the Interior

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) supervises the digital sector. The Ministry of the Interior issues operating permits for land-based casinos. This regulatory duality explains why online casinos do not have the same status. They fall neither under the sports betting regime nor under that of traditional gaming establishments under ministerial supervision. The ANJ License does not apply to classic casino games. This creates a watertight barrier between the legal online offer and the ban on pure games of chance on the Internet.

Legal and financial risks of sites without an ANJ license

The French legal regime is strict. Only the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) approves poker and betting operators. Playing on unlicensed platforms exposes players to major risks. You have no legal recourse. You are vulnerable to cybercrime. The State imposes administrative blocking of illegal sites.

How does the ANJ block illegal sites?

The ANJ can block illegal casino sites using a coercive mechanism. The authority regularly publishes an ANJ Blacklist listing prohibited domains. This list serves as the basis for the administrative blocking of illegal sites. French internet service providers must filter these addresses at the DNS level. Recently, this rigor was illustrated by the blocking of Polymarket. This platform offered illegal betting in the territory. Polymarket had its access restricted because its model does not respect the French approval monopoly. This administrative blocking of illegal sites is the first technical barrier. Players sometimes bypass these restrictions using VPNs, which increases their exposure to fraud.

The dangers of offshore licenses (Curacao, MGA)

The difference with illegal sites lies in legal protection. Curacao or Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licenses authorize international operation but offer no guarantees in France. A site under a Curacao license operates outside the scope of control of the ANJ. Disputes become unsolvable for the French player. Unlike approved operators who fight against fraud, these offshore platforms can facilitate cybercrime. They do not strictly verify the identity of users.

Criminal consequences for operators and players

For the operator, the absence of ANJ approval constitutes a criminal offense. The penalty goes up to three years' imprisonment and a 90 000 euro fine. For the player, the main risk is financial. This includes the non-payment of winnings and the theft of banking data linked to cybercrime. The ANJ Blacklist exists to identify these dangerous players before they cause irreversible damage.

How to verify the legality of a gaming operator

Consult the official registry of the National Gaming Authority to ensure a site's compliance. Only approved operators with explicit authorization for sports betting, horse racing betting, or poker can operate legally. Slot machines remain prohibited.

Consulting the official list of approved operators

Verification begins by consulting the ANJ website. It publishes the exhaustive list of authorized actors. Historical entities like the Française des Jeux (FDJ) hold a monopoly on lotteries. They also offer sports betting through its subsidiary Illiko, operating under a strict player protection framework. Similarly, the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) retains its monopoly on land-based horse racing betting while being a major player in the approved online sector. These approved operators must comply with rigorous technical obligations. This includes an annual certification of their systems to prevent fraud.

Identifying mandatory logos and legal notices

A clear distinction must be made between official sites and illegal clones. A legal site clearly displays its ANJ approval at the bottom of the page. It is often accompanied by a link to the self-exclusion registry. Private platforms like Betclic display this license. This confirms their compliance for sports betting and poker, but not for traditional casino games. For example, Winamax, although very popular for poker and sports betting, must imperatively display its status as an approved operator. This proves its legality against unregulated offshore sites. The presence of the ANJ logo certifies that the operator contributes to the fight against problem gambling and money laundering. For a precise check, look for the specific approval number in the footer and cross-reference it with the ANJ public database.

Reporting a suspect site to the National Gaming Authority

If a site offers slot machines or roulette for real money without mentioning the ANJ, it is illegal. The Authority can impose heavy sanctions. This goes up to the withdrawal of approval or significant financial penalties for serious breaches. Players must report these platforms via the dedicated form on the ANJ website. This allows DNS blocking by French internet service providers. In the event of a dispute over an ANJ decision, operators or injured parties can refer the matter to the Administrative Court to assert their rights. This procedure remains complex for the individual player.

Player protection and responsible gaming in France

The ANJ license and the legality of online casinos in France are based on a strict framework where player protection is paramount. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) requires approved operators to fight gambling addiction. They must guarantee data security via the National Self-Exclusion Registry. This legal mechanism, distinct from offshore offers, ensures complete traceability of transactions to prevent money laundering.

The voluntary self-exclusion scheme

Voluntary self-exclusion is a central tool of responsible gaming. It allows any individual to block their own access to approved sites. This process, managed by the ANJ, has a minimum duration of three years before any request for lifting it. The system automatically queries the National Self-Exclusion Registry when an account is opened. It prevents the registration of listed individuals. This measure effectively protects vulnerable players against the risks of gambling addiction by cutting off technical access to legal platforms.

Payment security and GDPR data protection

Sites holding an ANJ license must comply with rigorous technical requirements certified annually. These audits guarantee the integrity of information systems and the security of financial flows. This is essential in the fight against money laundering. In accordance with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), these operators are required to strictly protect the personal information of users. They offer a level of confidentiality absent from offshore sites. Unlike unregulated actors, French operators periodically transmit their activity data for supervision. This ensures total transparency on fund movements. This continuous monitoring protects players against fraud and guarantees that winnings come from fair games.

Operators' obligations regarding responsible gaming

To prevent gambling addiction, operators must integrate spending controls: deposit, bet, and playing time limits. Each year, they submit a detailed report on their responsible gaming policy to the ANJ board. Compliance with the National Self-Exclusion Registry is mandatory, as is strict verification of user age. These legal obligations aim to maintain a controlled gaming environment, far from the predatory practices of unlicensed sites.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

Verified by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - iGaming senior compliance analyst

Last updated: 2026-08-21.

This article on “ANJ license and online casino legality France” was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content to reflect regulatory changes, licensing, and bonus conditions. 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. Fields: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, player protection measures.

Responsible gaming

Gambling can become addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs, or use the national self-exclusion registry (Fichier des interdits de jeux (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are keys 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.