ANJ Blacklist 2026: Blocked Sites, Risks, and Legal Alternatives

The ANJ 2026 blacklist of blocked sites groups together illegal gambling platforms targeted by an administrative blocking order. The National Gaming Authority relies on the Law aimed at democratizing sport and the Internal Security Code to impose this filtering on Internet service providers. The goal is to protect players against fraud, identity theft, and addiction. Only licensed operators such as Française des Jeux, Winamax, or Betclic offer a legal and secure service in France.

Understanding the ANJ Blacklist and Administrative Blocking in 2026

The 2026 ANJ blacklist of blocked sites is a dynamic, public, but non-exhaustive register of gambling platforms that have been subject to an administrative blocking decision. Published by the Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), this list flags illegal operators whose access is filtered by internet service providers. Absence from the list does not guarantee a site's legality. Only consulting the register of licensed operators ensures complete legal protection against addiction and fraud risks.

What is the official ANJ blacklist?

The blacklist is a transparency tool managed by the ANJ, the French regulatory authority that succeeded ARJEL. It lists URLs that have received a formal order for blocking and de-indexing. This register is not exhaustive. The Autorité nationale des jeux regularly adds new addresses, but illegal sites may remain accessible temporarily before being identified. The ANJ publishes this list to help players avoid unlicensed platforms, which expose them to major financial risks and a lack of legal recourse.

The legal framework: 2022 Law and Internal Security Code

The current legal framework rests on the Law aimed at democratizing sport, which came into force in 2022, as well as on provisions of the Internal Security Code. This reform transformed the fight against illegal gambling by replacing the lengthy judicial procedure with direct and rapid administrative blocking. Now, the ANJ can order internet access providers to cut off access to unauthorized sites without systematically going through the judicial court, thus accelerating player protection. The Law aimed at democratizing sport strengthens the effectiveness of the Autorité nationale des jeux against the proliferation of illegal online offers, relying on the administrative police powers provided by the code.

Difference between unlicensed site and blocked site

A crucial nuance distinguishes illegality from technical blocking. An unlicensed site is illegal because it operates without an ANJ license, but it is not necessarily on the blacklist immediately. Only a site on this list is subject to effective administrative blocking by ISPs. Thus, a site's absence from the blacklist does not mean it is legal. It may simply be in a "gray area" awaiting sanction, still exposing the player to significant risks.

Major risks of illegal casino and betting sites

The 2026 ANJ blacklist of blocked sites identifies illicit platforms exposing players to critical dangers. In France, all Online casino sites are prohibited, as no license is issued for this activity. Playing on these unauthorized domains means accepting major financial, legal, and health risks, with no possible recourse to the regulator.

Financial fraud and non-payment of winnings

Illegal operators do not escrow player funds, unlike licensed actors. This lack of guarantee frequently leads to non-payment of winnings. Worse, these platforms are often involved in Cybercrime practices aimed at making repeated fraudulent debits on users' bank cards. Fraud prevention is non-existent on these sites. In case of dispute, the ANJ is not competent and players must approach the DGCCRF, with little hope of recovering the sums.

Personal data theft and identity theft

Non-compliance with GDPR exposes internet users to massive theft of their sensitive information. Illicit Online casino sites often resell customer files or install malware without the user's knowledge. This Cybercrime facilitates Identity theft, allowing fraudsters to open accounts or incur debts in the player's name. Your banking data is misappropriated without any security measure verified by an independent authority.

Lack of protection against excessive gambling

Unlike licensed operators, blocked sites apply no preventive measures. They completely ignore the risks of Addiction and offer neither deposit limits nor self-exclusion tools. This negligence worsens the social and financial difficulties of vulnerable players. Furthermore, the gaming software is neither controlled nor approved by the ANJ, meaning that results may be rigged. Fraud prevention also includes protecting game integrity, which is entirely absent here.

How technical blocking by ISPs works

The ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 forms the technical foundation for player protection in France. When a gambling operator is identified as illegal, the National Gaming Authority issues an administrative blocking order. This measure legally obliges major Internet Service Providers to prevent access to the concerned URLs from within the national territory, creating an immediate digital barrier to secure the legal offering.

The Role of Internet Service Providers

Internet Service Providers act as the technical guardians of online legality. In France, the main operators, namely Orange, Free, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom, are legally required to implement ANJ decisions. Their role goes beyond a simple recommendation. It is a legal obligation to filter to make illicit sites inaccessible to subscribers residing in France.

This compliance is crucial because it protects players from platforms that fail to meet tax obligations or measures against gambling addiction and money laundering. For example, when Orange or SFR receive an ANJ notification, they must integrate the targeted addresses into their network filtering systems. Similarly, Free and Bouygues Telecom apply these restrictions to ensure their infrastructure does not facilitate access to unauthorized gaming offers. This coordination between the regulator and ISPs ensures uniform enforcement of the block across the entire territory.

Filtering Techniques: DNS and IP Addresses

The blocking mechanism relies primarily on two complementary technical methods: DNS (Domain Name System) filtering and IP address filtering. DNS filtering prevents the resolution of the illegal site's domain name, displaying an error or warning page when the user attempts to access it. Meanwhile, IP filtering directly blocks the connection to servers hosting the illicit content, making the site unreachable even if the IP address is entered directly into the browser.

This dual layer of security is essential to counter basic circumvention attempts. However, the blacklist published by the ANJ, which already counts hundreds of blocked URLs, is not static. It is regularly updated to track the evolution of fraudulent sites. ISPs like Bouygues Telecom or Free must therefore regularly update their routing tables and DNS servers to maintain the effectiveness of the block against the proliferation of illegal online betting and gaming offers.

The Limits of Blocking and Circumvention

Despite the technical rigor of ISPs, blocking has inherent limitations due to Internet architecture. The use of virtual private networks (VPNs) or manual modification of DNS servers to foreign providers technically allows users to bypass these restrictions. These tools mask the user's actual location or bypass national DNS filters, making the site accessible again.

However, bypassing the block exposes the player to major risks. By accessing a site on the ANJ 2026 blocked sites blacklist via a VPN, the user loses all legal protection. They are exposed to operators that do not guarantee game fairness, do not offer mandatory deposit limits, and provide little recourse in case of unpaid winnings. The ANJ reminds us that the goal of blocking is to protect the player community. Bypassing it means voluntarily accepting these financial and legal dangers.

Identifying Legal Operators and Reporting an Illegal Site

To identify safe sites on the blacklist, it is imperative to distinguish platforms with official approval from those subject to administrative blocking. Only operators licensed by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) offer guaranteed legal and financial protection to French players, while illegal sites expose users to fraud risks and a lack of recourse.

The List of Licensed Operators in France

The French online gaming market operates under a strict framework where only sports betting, horse racing, and poker are authorized, with online casinos remaining prohibited. LA FRANCAISE DES JEUX (FDJ), the historic player holding the lottery monopoly, also operates in the sports betting sector under ANJ supervision. This regulatory relationship ensures that FDJ complies with the player protection obligations imposed by the State.

Among other major compliant operators, Winamax, Betclic, and PMU stand out. These licensed gaming operators obtained their licenses following a rigorous assessment of their financial stability and anti-money laundering measures. For instance, PMU, closely tied to the history of horse racing in France, collaborates with ANJ to maintain a secure betting offering. The presence of these brands in the legal market does not mean all their international offers are accessible. Only sites with the .fr domain and ANJ approval are valid for French residents.

How to verify the legality of a gaming site

Consulting the ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 is not always sufficient, as a site may be illegal without yet being technically blocked. The most reliable method remains visually checking the ANJ logo at the bottom of the homepage, which must be clickable and link to the official license certificate. The absence of this logo, or the presence of a foreign license (such as Curaçao or Malta) without a French mention, indicates an illegal offer.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are required to block access to domains identified as illegal, but fraudulent operators often use "mirror sites" to bypass these restrictions. Therefore, verifying the URL and ensuring it exactly matches the one referenced on the ANJ website is an essential security step. Additionally, legal notices must clearly indicate a registered office or legal representation compliant with European requirements, ensuring traceability in case of dispute.

Reporting procedure and avenues for recourse

If a player identifies a platform offering games of chance without a visible license, they must act to protect the community. ANJ invites users to report any suspicious site via its official channels, enabling an investigation to be opened and, if necessary, an administrative block to be ordered to make the site inaccessible. This proactive approach contributes to the dynamic updating of the list of banned sites.

Meanwhile, for commercial disputes or proven scams, the DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Repression) can be contacted via the signal.conso.gouv.fr platform. While ANJ manages gaming regulation, DGCCRF intervenes on issues of misleading consumption and illegal commercial practices. Reporting an illegal site to both authorities maximizes the chances of swift action, thus protecting players against financial losses and risks associated with unregulated gaming offers.

Avenues for recourse against blocking decisions

Administrative blocking decisions made by ANJ may be subject to appeal. An operator or third party considering the blocking unjustified may bring the matter before the Paris Judicial Court to contest the measure. As a last resort, the Council of State may be seized to examine the legality of the administrative decision on its merits. These bodies ensure that the blocking power, while swift, remains subject to judicial review and respect for the rights of the defense.

About this article – Authorship & accountability

✍️ Author: Sarah Weber — Casino tester & bonus analyst
🛡️ Fact-checked by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann — Senior iGaming compliance analyst
📅 Last updated: 30 July 2026

This article on "ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content to reflect regulatory changes, licensing status, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, authorities, or legal frameworks link to public sources (ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux), Law of 12 May 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 advisory for operators licensed under the French ANJ framework. PhD in economic mathematics. Areas of expertise: bonus mathematics, wager analysis, player protection mechanisms.

Responsible gaming

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

Legal notice

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.