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

The ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 lists illegal gambling platforms targeted by an administrative blocking order. The National Gaming Authority relies on the Law aiming to democratize sport and the Internal Security Code to impose this filtering on Internet Service Providers. The objective is to protect players against fraud, identity theft, and addiction. Only authorized operators like La Française des Jeux, Winamax, or Betclic offer a legal and secure service in France.

Understanding the ANJ Blacklist and Administrative Blocking in 2026

The ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 is a dynamic, but not exhaustive, public register of gambling platforms that have been subject to an administrative blocking decision. Published by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), this list flags illegal operators whose access is filtered by internet service providers. Its absence does not guarantee the legality of a site. Only consulting the register of authorized operators ensures complete legal protection against the risks of addiction and fraud.

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 blocking and dereferencing order. This register is not exhaustive. The National Gaming Authority regularly adds new addresses, but illegal sites may temporarily remain accessible 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 is based on the Law aiming to democratize sport, which came into force in 2022, as well as on the 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. From now on, the ANJ can order internet service providers to cut off access to unauthorized sites without systematically going through the judicial court, thereby accelerating player protection. The Law aiming to democratize sport reinforces the effectiveness of the National Gaming Authority in the face of the proliferation of illegal online offers, by relying on the administrative police powers provided by the code.

Difference Between an Unauthorized Site and a Blocked Site

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

Major Risks of Illegal Casino and Betting Sites

The ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 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, without any possible recourse to the regulator.

Financial Fraud and Non-Payment of Winnings

Illegal operators do not safeguard players' funds, unlike authorized 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 charges on users' bank cards. The fight against fraud is non-existent on these sites. In the event of a dispute, the ANJ has no jurisdiction, and players must contact the DGCCRF, with little hope of recovering the funds.

Personal Data Theft and Identity Theft

The lack of GDPR compliance exposes internet users to the massive theft of their sensitive information. Illicit online casino sites often resell customer databases or install malware without the user's knowledge. This cybercrime facilitates identity theft, enabling fraudsters to open accounts or run up debts in the player's name. Your banking details are misappropriated without any security measure verified by an independent authority.

Lack of Protection Against Excessive Gambling

Unlike legal operators, blocked sites do not apply any preventive measures. They completely ignore the risks of addiction and offer neither deposit limits nor self-exclusion tools. This negligence exacerbates the social and financial difficulties of vulnerable players. In addition, the gaming software is neither controlled nor certified by the ANJ, which means the results can be rigged. The fight against fraud also includes protecting the integrity of the game, which is completely 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 block access to the relevant URLs from national territory, creating an immediate digital barrier to secure the legal market.

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 required by law to implement the ANJ's decisions. Their role is not limited to a simple recommendation. It is a legal obligation to filter and make illicit sites inaccessible to subscribers residing in France.

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

Filtering Techniques: DNS and IP Addresses

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

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

Limits of Blocking and Bypassing

Despite the technical rigor of ISPs, blocking has inherent limits due to the architecture of the Internet. The use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or the 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 listed on the ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 via a VPN, the user loses all legal protection. They expose themselves to operators that do not guarantee the fairness of games of chance, do not offer mandatory deposit limits, and provide little recourse in the event of non-payment of winnings. The ANJ points out that the purpose of the block is to protect the gaming community. Bypassing it means voluntarily accepting these financial and legal dangers.

Identifying Legal Operators and Reporting an Illegal Site

To identify safe sites, it is imperative to distinguish platforms with an official authorization from those subject to administrative blocking. Only game operators authorized by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) offer guaranteed legal and financial protection to French players, while illegal sites expose them to fraud risks and a lack of recourse.

The List of Authorized Operators in France

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

Among other major players compliant with the law, we find Winamax, Betclic, and PMU. These authorized gaming operators obtained their licenses after a rigorous evaluation of their financial stability and their anti-money laundering measures. For example, PMU, closely linked to the history of horse racing in France, collaborates with the ANJ to maintain a secure betting offer. The presence of these brands on the legal market does not mean that all of their international offers are accessible. Only sites with a .fr domain and ANJ authorization 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 enough, as a site can be illegal without being technically blocked yet. The most reliable method remains the visual verification of the ANJ logo at the bottom of the homepage, which must be clickable and link to the official authorization certificate. The absence of this logo, or the presence of a foreign license (such as Curaçao or Malta) without mention of France, 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. Thus, checking the URL and ensuring that it matches exactly the one referenced on the ANJ website is an essential security step. In addition, the legal notices must clearly indicate a registered office or legal representation compliant with European requirements, guaranteeing traceability in the event of a dispute.

Reporting Procedure and Channels of Recourse

If a player identifies a platform offering gambling without visible authorization, they must take action to protect the community. The ANJ invites users to report any suspicious site via its official channels, which allows 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 update of the list of prohibited sites.

In parallel, for commercial disputes or proven scams, the DGCCRF (Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud) can be contacted via the signal.conso.gouv.fr platform. Although the ANJ manages the regulation of gambling, the DGCCRF intervenes on aspects of misleading consumption and illegal commercial practices. Reporting an illegal site to both authorities maximizes the chances of rapid action, thereby protecting players against financial losses and risks associated with unregulated gambling offers.

Recourse Options Against Blocking Decisions

Administrative blocking decisions made by the ANJ can be subject to appeal. An operator or a third party believing that the block is unjustified can petition the Judicial Court of Paris to contest the measure. As a last resort, the Conseil d'État can be petitioned to review the legality of the administrative decision on the merits. These bodies ensure that the blocking power, although rapid, remains subject to judicial control and respect for defense rights.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

✍️ Author: Sarah Weber — Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst
🛡️ Fact-checked by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann — Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst
📅 Last updated: July 30, 2026

This article on the "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 developments, licenses, and bonus conditions. All references to licenses, authorities, or legal frameworks link 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 Gambling

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