ANJ casino blacklist 2026: forbidden sites and risks

The ANJ casino blacklist 2026 lists illicit gambling sites administratively blocked in France. Only operators approved by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) are legal. Consulting this official list helps avoid unregulated offshore casinos. These sites expose players to risks of non-payment, data theft, and a lack of legal protection.

Consulting the official blacklist of forbidden sites in 2026

The ANJ casino blacklist 2026 lists gambling and hazard gaming platforms that have been subject to an administrative blocking decision by the National Gaming Authority. This list, published on the official website anj.fr, identifies illegal operators that expose players to major financial and legal risks, such as non-payment of winnings or personal data fraud.

How to access the updated list of blocked sites?

To consult the List of illicit gambling and hazard gaming sites, you must go directly to the dedicated section of the ANJ website. This official resource is the only reliable reference for verifying the legality of a platform in France. The National Gaming Authority updates this registry regularly because new URLs constantly appear to bypass restriction measures.

The absence of a site from this list does not guarantee its legality. The list is non-exhaustive by nature. Before making any deposit, players must cross-reference this information with the positive list of approved operators and the Française des Jeux. If a platform is neither on the blacklist nor among the authorized operators, it operates illegally and exposes the user to significant risks.

Is the list exhaustive and how is it updated?

The Blacklist is not a static catalog but a dynamic tool for combating offshore sites. The ANJ orders administrative blocking measures which are then technically executed by French Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This mechanism makes the targeted sites inaccessible via standard home networks, although technical workarounds sometimes exist.

This list remains non-exhaustive because new illegal casinos emerge daily. The ANJ regularly adds new URLs as investigations and court decisions progress. Collaboration between the regulator and ISPs is essential to maintain the effectiveness of this filter, although the decentralized nature of the Internet allows some operators to quickly change domains to escape the initial block.

How to report a suspect site to the regulatory authority?

If a player identifies a gambling platform that appears to be illegal, they can report it directly to the ANJ via a dedicated online form. This citizen report allows the regulatory authority's teams to open a thorough investigation. If the illegality is confirmed, the ANJ can issue a new administrative block to protect French consumers.

This reporting procedure is an essential link in player protection. It helps enrich the List of illicit gambling and hazard gaming sites and strengthens the fight against unlicensed operators running without a French license, exposing users to a total absence of legal recourse in the event of a dispute.

Legal online casinos vs gray zone: understanding the law

The ANJ casino blacklist 2026 only lists sites that have been subject to an administrative block, but its absence does not guarantee the legality of a platform. In France, only sports betting, horse race betting, and online poker are authorized under the aegis of the National Gaming Authority. Online casinos offering slot machines or roulette remain strictly prohibited by Law No. 2010-476, placing any competing offer in a dangerous legal gray zone for players.

Which gambling games are actually authorized in France?

To determine the legality of a site in 2026, you must refer to the strict framework established by Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010. This regulation partially opened the market, exclusively authorizing three verticals: sports betting, horse race betting, and online poker. Online casinos, including traditional table games like blackjack or roulette, remain prohibited to protect players against the high risks of addiction associated with these formats.

Approved operators, such as Winamax, Betclic, or the FDJ, operate under the direct supervision of the ANJ. Conversely, any site offering online slot machines is outside the French legal framework. This distinction is important: a site may be legal in its country of origin but illegal in France if it targets French players without a local approval, creating a gray zone where legal protection is non-existent.

Why are slot machines and online roulette prohibited?

The prohibition of online casinos in France is based on an assessment of health and financial risks. Authorities identify slot machines and roulette as presenting a higher addictive potential, justifying their exclusion from the open market. In addition, unregulated sites, often based in offshore jurisdictions, expose users to major risks: money laundering, personal data theft, and non-payment of winnings.

Unlike approved operators who must respect strict standards for the protection of minors and the fight against compulsive gambling, gray zone platforms escape these obligations. The ANJ implements administrative blocks to make these sites inaccessible, but the proliferation of mirror sites makes vigilance necessary. Playing on these sites means accepting a total lack of legal recourse in the event of a dispute.

How to verify the approval of an operator like Winamax or Betclic?

Verifying legality should not be limited to consulting the ANJ casino blacklist 2026, as this is non-exhaustive. The reliable method is to consult the positive list of approved operators published by the ANJ. If a site is not listed there, it is considered unauthorized, regardless of whether or not it is on the blacklist.

For sports betting or online poker, check for the presence of the ANJ logo at the bottom of the page and cross-reference this information with the official registry. Beware of foreign licenses (Malta, Curaçao) which offer no protection in France. In case of doubt about a site operating in the gray zone, it is possible to report it directly to the ANJ via their dedicated form, triggering an investigation for a potential administrative block.

The major dangers of unlicensed and offshore sites

The ANJ casino blacklist 2026 signals illegal operators, but many offshore sites still escape blocking. Playing on these platforms exposes players to major financial and legal risks: lack of recourse, data theft, and potential involvement in money laundering circuits. The ANJ does not protect players on these unlicensed sites.

Risks of non-payment and lack of legal recourse

In the event of a dispute with an offshore casino, the French player is isolated. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) has no jurisdiction to intervene or compel an operator licensed outside France, such as those under the aegis of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or Curaçao, to pay out winnings. This risk of non-payment is concrete: without verifiable independent certification, results are not audited by the ANJ. If a site refuses to pay your winnings, no French mediator will be able to help you, unlike with approved operators subject to strict control by the ANJ.

Data protection and risks of bank fraud

Unregulated sites do not comply with the GDPR, exposing players to cybercrime. The risk of identity theft and bank details theft is high on these opaque platforms. Your bank can block transactions to these casinos, freezing your funds, while your personal information can be resold or used fraudulently. Cybercrime thrives in this gray zone where transaction security is not guaranteed by European standards.

Involvement in money laundering and organized crime

The ANJ fights against offshore sites because they often serve as vectors for money laundering. By playing on these sites, you expose your accounts to increased monitoring by Tracfin, the French financial intelligence agency. Money laundering through online gaming is a serious offense. Tracfin analyzes suspicious flows to dismantle criminal networks that use these platforms to recycle illicit funds. Even without direct criminal prosecution against the player, your transactions can be scrutinized, creating a significant indirect legal risk.

The role of the ANJ and safe gaming alternatives

The ANJ casino blacklist 2026 is not a simple static inventory, but the visible result of a dynamic regulatory system run by the National Gaming Authority. This independent body, created in 2020, ensures the protection of French players by blocking access to illegal sites via ISPs and issuing strict approvals. Understanding this mechanism is essential to distinguish legal operators from risky offshore platforms.

From ARJEL to ANJ: evolution of French regulation

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is the independent administrative entity responsible for regulating the entire gambling and hazard gaming sector in France. Its central role includes issuing approvals, monitoring compliance with obligations by operators, and actively fighting against illegal sites. In 2020, the ANJ officially replaced the ARJEL (Regulatory Authority for Online Games), inheriting its missions while benefiting from expanded powers to better protect players against addiction and protect minors.

Unlike ARJEL, which focused on approving poker and sports betting operators, the ANJ now integrates a comprehensive approach including lottery and increased monitoring of financial risks. The National Gaming Authority works in synergy with the Ministry of the Interior to enforce blocking decisions, relying on the provisions of the Internal Security Code that govern these restrictive measures.

How does administrative site blocking work?

The blocking of unlicensed sites relies on technical collaboration between the ANJ and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). When a site is identified as illegal, the authority orders an administrative block which results in filtering at the DNS and IP level, preventing access from French territory. This procedure is part of the legal framework defined by the Internal Security Code, allowing public authorities to act quickly against operators without approval.

Beyond technical blocking, the ANJ collaborates with search engines like Google and Bing to de-index these platforms from local search results. Bypassing these blocks via VPNs exposes the player to a legal gray zone: in the event of a dispute or non-payment, no legal protection is provided, and the Voluntary Gambling Ban does not apply effectively on these offshore sites.

Where to find the official list of approved operators?

Rather than relying solely on the ANJ casino blacklist 2026, which remains non-exhaustive and subject to regular additions, the safest method is to consult the positive list of approved operators. The ANJ provides an official database where each authorized site is clearly identified. If a platform is not listed there, it is considered prohibited, even if it does not yet appear on the list of administrative blocks.

To verify the legality of a site in 2026, you should look for the ANJ approval number at the bottom of the homepage and cross-reference it with official registries. This vigilance is essential because millions of players operate in a gray zone with offshore casinos (Malta, Curaçao), exposing themselves to high risks without the safety net offered by French regulation.

Responsible gaming and consumer protection

The regulation of online gaming is not limited to the blacklist. It encompasses a strict policy of responsible gaming and consumer protection, managed jointly by the ANJ and the DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control).

Voluntary gambling bans and control tools

The Voluntary Gambling Ban (IVJ) is a key mechanism allowing players to self-exclude from all approved sites in France. However, this protection does not apply to blacklisted sites or unregulated offshore operators. It is therefore vital to only play on approved platforms to benefit from these safety nets. The ANJ also imposes deposit and wagering limits, as well as permanently visible prevention messages.

The role of the DGCCRF in the fight against illegal offers

The DGCCRF steps in to complement the ANJ in protecting consumers against misleading commercial practices of illegal sites. It monitors fraudulent advertisements and can initiate legal action against entities targeting French consumers without respecting national legislation. In the event of a dispute with an unlicensed site, however, the DGCCRF cannot compel the foreign operator to issue a refund, which reinforces the importance of verifying the ANJ approval before making any financial commitment.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst

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

Last updated: 2026-07-10.

This article on "ANJ casino blacklist 2026" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content to reflect regulatory changes, licenses, 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 be addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs or use the national self-exclusion registry (file of banned gamblers (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.