ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026: Complete guide, verification and risks

The ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026 lists illegal gambling platforms that are subject to an administrative blocking and de-listing order. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) updates this register regularly to protect players against fraud, addiction, and non-payment. Only licensed operators such as FDJ, PMU, Betclic, Winamax, Bwin, or Unibet have the right to operate in France.

Consult the ANJ blacklist of blocked sites in 2026

The ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026 groups together the gaming platforms targeted by an administrative blocking order. This Blacklist, published by the ANJ (National Gaming Authority), protects players against financial risks and addiction related to illegal gambling and hazard websites. This register is not exhaustive. New URLs are added as they are reported or detected. The absence of a domain name on this List of illegal gambling sites does not guarantee its legality. For optimal security, this information must be cross-referenced with the positive register of licensed operators.

How to access the official list of banned sites?

The ANJ makes this List of illegal gambling sites available to the public on its institutional portal. It is important to understand that this register is not exhaustive. It is regularly updated with new reported or detected URLs. Consequently, the absence of a domain name on this List of illegal gambling sites does not guarantee legality. For optimal security, this information should be cross-referenced with the positive register of licensed operators.

What is the difference between the blacklist and the list of licensed operators?

These two lists have opposing functions. The Blacklist identifies gambling and hazard websites specifically blocked by the ANJ for proven illegality. Conversely, the list of licensed operators (such as FDJ, PMU, Bwin, or Unibet) represents the only positive reference of legality in France. Playing on a site that is not on the whitelist exposes you to major risks, even if it does not yet appear on the List of illegal gambling sites.

Is the ANJ blacklist updated in real time?

Yes, the ANJ regularly updates the Blacklist to include new gambling and hazard websites identified as dangerous. The technical process of administrative blocking, which involves ISPs and de-listing, takes some time. Thus, the List of illegal gambling sites reflects the actions currently underway, but a time lag may exist between the detection of an illegal site and its actual appearance on the public list.

Understanding administrative blocking and the role of ISPs

The ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026 is not a simple static directory. It reflects an active and binding administrative blocking procedure. This legal mechanism obliges Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to filter access to illegal gambling and hazard platforms. This protects French players from unlicensed operators who evade the protection and security obligations imposed by national regulation.

How does the ANJ enforce the blocking of illegal sites?

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) has reinforced administrative police powers to combat illegal offers. Before the entry into force of the Law aimed at securing and regulating the digital space (2022), blocking sites required a lengthy legal process before the Paris judicial court. This resulted in delays of 4 to 6 months between the identification of an infraction and the judge's decision. This latency allowed illegal sites to continue operating and attracting players.

Now, the president of the ANJ can directly order the blocking, under the control of the administrative judge, without going through a prior judicial process. This legislative development follows on from Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010, which opened the market while defining a strict framework for licensed operators. By replacing judicial slowness with administrative responsiveness, the ANJ can act quickly to remove access to sites offering unauthorized gambling or publishing illegal advertising for it.

What is the role of ISPs and the Ministry of the Interior?

ISPs (such as Orange, SFR, Free, or Bouygues) are the technical implementers of this regulatory policy. They are legally required to implement the filtering measures ordered by the ANJ. Specifically, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) block access to the referenced URLs using DNS filtering techniques or by IP address.

This collaboration is based on the Internal Security Code, which governs administrative blocking measures to protect public order and citizens. The Ministry of the Interior also plays a coordinating role with law enforcement to identify criminal networks behind certain illegal sites. When a site is added to the blacklist, ISPs must prevent French users from accessing it directly from their home connection. This system aims to reduce the visibility and accessibility of offshore operators that do not comply with French player protection standards, such as age verification or deposit limits.

De-listing and the fight against illegal advertising

De-listing and administrative blocking are two complementary but distinct levers. De-listing, obtained through the ANJ's collaboration with search engines like Google and Bing, removes illegal sites from organic search results. This considerably reduces their organic visibility for players looking for platforms via a search engine.

At the same time, the ANJ actively fights against illegal advertising. Blocked sites are not allowed to advertise in France. Any promotion, even indirect, via influencers or third-party sites, is sanctioned. De-listing does not prevent direct access if the user knows the exact URL. This is where technical blocking by ISPs comes in: it cuts the connection to the server, making the site inaccessible even if the address is known. Although circumvention methods exist, this double barrier (reduced visibility + cut technical access) constitutes the ANJ's main strategy to dry up the audience of unlicensed sites. Systematically check the official license, as the absence of the blacklist does not guarantee the legality of a site.

Identifying illegal sites: Online casinos and grey areas

The ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026 lists the platforms that have been subject to an administrative blocking order, but it is not exhaustive. To ensure your safety, it is imperative to verify the official license rather than relying solely on the absence of a URL on this list. In France, only operators licensed by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) offer legal protection against the risks of addiction and financial fraud.

Why are all online casinos banned in France?

French legislation, governed by the law of May 12, 2010, establishes a strict distinction between authorized games and those that fall under illegality. Only three categories benefit from a license: sports betting, horse betting, and online poker (ring games). Consequently, online casinos, including slot machines and roulette, remain explicitly prohibited on national territory.

This ban aims to protect players from offers designed to quickly generate addiction, often masked by attractive bonuses and an illusory VIP status. Unlike licensed operators that impose deposit and betting limits, illegal casino sites do not comply with any standards for personal data protection or prevention of excessive gambling.

How to recognize an ANJ-licensed operator?

To identify a legal platform, the most reliable method is to consult the official register of licensed operators available on the ANJ website. A legal site must clearly display the ANJ logo and provide a link to the Joueurs Info Service help helpline. The absence of these references is an immediate warning sign.

The French legal market relies on 17 licensed operators and one monopoly holder for the lottery, LA FRANCAISE DES JEUX (often referred to by its acronym FDJ (Française des Jeux)). LA FRANCAISE DES JEUX holds exclusivity over lottery games like Loto and EuroMillions, while other licensed players like Bwin, Unibet, Betclic, or Winamax share the sports betting and poker market. Checking the presence of an operator on this whitelist is safer than consulting the blacklist, as a site can be illegal without having been technically blocked yet.

Are sites licensed in Curacao or Malta legal in France?

No, a foreign license issued by jurisdictions such as Malta (MGA) or Curaçao does not replace the mandatory ANJ license. These platforms operate in a legal grey area. Although individual players are not systematically prosecuted criminally, they expose themselves to major risks. In the event of a dispute, no recourse is possible with the French authorities, and winnings can be withheld without justification.

In addition, these sites are liable to be added to the ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026 at any time, leading to an immediate blocking by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and banks. Transactions to these illegal merchants may be refused, and deposited funds remain vulnerable in the absence of local regulation. It is therefore crucial to prioritize operators with a valid French license to ensure the security of your money and data.

The major risks of playing on a blocked site

Consulting the ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026 is a crucial step, as playing on these platforms exposes you to immediate and irreversible dangers. Beyond the illegality, these unregulated operators guarantee neither the fairness of the games nor the security of the funds. The Risks include the theft of banking data, the lack of recourse in the event of non-payment, and increased exposure to Addiction, due to the absence of protection measures imposed by French law.

What are the financial and legal dangers for the player?

The absence of regulation directly exposes your wealth. On an illegal site, the integrity of the software is neither controlled nor certified by the ANJ, which means that games can be rigged against the player. Even worse, you risk the theft of your personal and banking data, which can lead to identity theft or fraudulent debits that are impossible to dispute.

From a legal point of view, involvement in opaque financial channels exposes you to money laundering. In France, the body Tracfin (Intelligence Processing and Action Against Clandestine Financial Circuits) monitors suspicious flows. By using unlicensed platforms, you may unintentionally become a link in these illegal circuits, which leads to bank account blockages and potential investigations. Unlike licensed operators that segregate player funds, blocked sites offer no guarantee of refund.

How do illegal sites exploit gambling addiction?

Sites appearing on the ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026 deliberately bypass player protection obligations. They do not apply any mandatory deposit limits, nor any cool-off periods before increasing bets, thus encouraging excessive gambling and social isolation. This lack of safeguards transforms leisure into dangerous compulsive behavior.

Addiction is exacerbated by aggressive and unregulated promotional offers, designed to trap the player in a cycle of losses. Without the cross-platform self-exclusion tools imposed on legal operators, it is difficult to stop. For any difficulty related to gambling, it is imperative to contact Joueurs Info Service, which offers anonymous listening and guidance towards specialized care, a resource that illegal sites completely ignore.

What to do in case of a dispute with an unlicensed gambling site?

If you encounter a problem with an illegal operator, please note that the ANJ and the Gaming Mediator (Médiateur des jeux) are not competent to handle your complaint. You are legally alone against an entity often located outside the European Union. The only administrative route is to report the facts to the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) via the platform signal.conso.gouv.fr.

However, remedies remain limited and the chances of recovering your funds are slim. That is why prevention remains the best protection: systematically check the operator's license before making any deposit. Do not rely solely on the absence of a site on the blacklist, as it is not exhaustive. Always prioritize the positive list of authorized operators published by the ANJ.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

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

Last updated: 2026-07-02.

This article on the "ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory developments, 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, wager analysis, player protection measures.

Responsible gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs, or use the national self-exclusion register (gambling banned file (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cool-down 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.