ANJ Administrative Block: Procedure, Timelines, and Appeals in 2026

The ANJ administrative block is an expedited procedure established by the law of March 2, 2022. It allows the National Gaming Authority to order ISPs and search engines to block access to sites offering illegal services. This administrative mechanism replaces the former judicial route and reduces processing times to approximately two months. It primarily targets mirror sites and unlicensed online casinos to protect French players.

Legal Basis and Procedure for the Block

The administrative block is the ANJ's primary tool in 2026. It allows the National Gaming Authority to restrict access to illegal offerings without having to go to court. This development, rooted in the March 2, 2022 law, replaces the previous system with a reactive administrative mechanism. The ANJ issues a formal notice to illicit operators before ordering ISPs to filter access. This step ensures respect for the rights of the defense while protecting players from the financial and addictive risks associated with unlicensed sites.

From Judicial Block to the ANJ's Administrative Power

The administrative block has replaced the previous system. Previously, the ANJ had to initiate a lengthy and costly judicial procedure. It could take up to six months to obtain a court ruling. This timeframe was unsuitable for the volatility of illicit sites, which rapidly changed addresses to evade sanctions. The March 2, 2022 law transferred this authority directly to the administrative body, significantly reducing intervention times.

This increased efficiency is evident in the numbers. In two and a half years, the ANJ had nearly twice as many URLs blocked via the administrative route as in twelve years of judicial litigation. The goal is not merely censorship. It is about protecting players from operators who respect neither mandatory deposit limits nor fair play rules. By acting directly, the ANJ responds more quickly to the proliferation of mirror sites. These exact copies of blocked platforms appear under new URLs.

Key Steps: Observation, Formal Notice, and Block Order

The procedure follows a strict legal framework to ensure its legality. It begins with an observation of the illicit offering, often reported by players or detected by ANJ services. The central step is the formal notice. The ANJ notifies the illegal operator, its host, or advertising providers (such as social networks) of their obligation to cease access to the site in France.

Recipients of this formal notice have a strict five-day deadline to submit their observations. This adversarial phase is essential to respect the rights of the defense. If the observations are deemed insufficient or if the operator fails to respond, the ANJ President issues a block order addressed to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and search engines. In 2024, this mechanism led to the issuance of 232 orders covering more than 1,300 URLs. This demonstrates the authority's capacity to act decisively against the illicit ecosystem.

Legal Basis, Sanctions, and the Role of OCLCTIC

The legal basis for this action rests primarily on the March 2, 2022 law. This legislation amended the Internal Security Code to incorporate the ANJ's specific powers. It works in tandem with the Law for Confidence in the Digital Economy (LCEN). This law imposes a content removal obligation on hosts and technical intermediaries once notified.

The ANJ does not wield arbitrary power. Each block decision must respect general principles of law, notably the rights of the defense mentioned earlier. The administrative judge also monitors the legality of the procedure. In case of serious misconduct, the ANJ's Sanctions Commission can impose a monetary penalty on recalcitrant operators or intermediaries, thereby strengthening deterrence. Furthermore, the ANJ collaborates closely with the Central Office for the Fight against Crime Related to Information and Communication Technologies (OCLCTIC) to identify the criminal networks behind illegal sites. This dual guarantee, internal adversarial procedure and external judicial review, ensures that the administrative block remains a proportionate regulatory tool.

Targeting Illegal Offerings and the Mirror Site Phenomenon

The ANJ administrative block procedure in 2026 specifically targets illegal gambling offerings. It distinguishes itself from authorized sports betting or poker. This measure aims to protect players from the fraud and addiction risks inherent to unlicensed online casinos. It also combats the proliferation of mirror sites attempting to bypass the ANJ's blacklist.

Why Online Casinos and Slot Machines are Banned

The strict ban on online casinos in France is based on the law regulating online gambling and games of chance. Only sports betting, horse racing, and poker are authorized. Table games such as roulette, blackjack, or slot machines are specifically targeted. They carry a higher addiction risk and are often associated with money laundering practices. Unlike the legal offerings supervised by the ANJ, these illicit platforms offer no reliability guarantees. They provide no player protection mechanisms such as age verification or deposit limits. A player exposed to this illegal offering has no recourse in case of a financial dispute. This justifies the rapid intervention of the regulatory authority to preserve public order and the economic integrity of the sector.

Mirror Site Strategy to Bypass Blocks

In response to block decisions, illicit operators deploy a bypass strategy using mirror sites. These are exact copies of the original site. They differ only by a new URL address, allowing rapid reappearance after an administrative shutdown. This technique complicates enforcement, as blocking a URL does not eliminate the legal entity behind the illegal offering. To counter this resilience, the ANJ no longer relies solely on administrative blocking. It intervenes across the entire value chain, including payment providers, hosts, and search engines. The goal is to cut off the financial flows and visibility of these mirror sites. This comprehensive approach aims to economically suffocate operators who exploit these technical loopholes to maintain access to the French market.

Statistics on Illegal Offerings and Impact on Players

The scale of this parallel market remains significant despite regulatory efforts. According to the ANJ Annual Report and a PwC study, between 3 and 4 million online players visited illegal offerings over the past twelve months. This figure highlights the persistent demand for banned casino games. Notably, one in two consumers is unaware that this activity is illegal in France. The typical profile of these players is a 35-year-old male, manager or employee. He may be attracted by aggressive bonuses absent from legal offerings. This massive traffic exposes users to increased risks of cheating and fraud. This reinforces the need for the ANJ to maintain an up-to-date ANJ blacklist and actively communicate about the dangers of unregulated online gambling and games of chance.

Role of ISPs, Search Engines, and Intermediaries

The 2026 ANJ administrative block procedure relies on a legal obligation imposed on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and search engines. They must filter access to illicit sites listed by the regulatory authority. This measure, faster than the former judicial route, compels technical intermediaries to prevent the visibility of illegal offerings. Non-compliance results in heavy criminal and administrative sanctions as stipulated by law.

Legal Obligations of ISPs and Search Engines

Internet Service Providers (ISPs), commercial entities providing network connectivity to individuals, are the first links in this compliance chain. Their role is not limited to data transport. They act as gatekeepers mandated by the ANJ President's decision. When the ANJ identifies an illegal offering, it issues a formal notice to publishers and hosts, then orders ISPs to block access if they fail to comply.

This obligation falls within the strict framework of the LCEN (Law for Confidence in the Digital Economy). In case of non-compliance with block orders, ISPs face the penalties outlined in Section VI of Article 6 of the LCEN. This includes significant fines and, for responsible individuals, prison sentences. Search engines share this responsibility. They must de-index the concerned URLs to prevent any appearance in French search results. Most actors execute these requests voluntarily to avoid legal risks. However, they retain the right to challenge the decision before the administrative judge.

Blocking Techniques: DNS, IP, and Technical Limitations

The technical implementation of blocking varies depending on the infrastructure. It relies primarily on two methods: DNS filtering and IP blocking. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates site names into IP addresses. By blocking the DNS resolution of an illicit domain, the ISP prevents the browser from locating the target server. This method has limitations in the face of mirror site volatility, which frequently changes URL addresses while maintaining the same interface.

IP address blocking is more robust but can affect legitimate sites hosted on the same shared servers. The effectiveness of these technical measures is constantly evaluated against the rapid reappearance of exact copies of blocked sites. The ANJ adapts its strategy by issuing mass block orders. In 2024, 1,337 URLs were covered by 232 orders, the majority being mirror sites. This technical approach requires close cooperation between the regulatory authority and technical operators to maintain filtering integrity.

VPN Usage and Bypassing the Block

Bypassing the block constitutes the main technical challenge for regulation in 2026. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow users to mask their real IP address and simulate a connection from another country. This renders DNS or IP filtering based on French geolocation ineffective. Using a VPN is not illegal in itself, but it mechanically neutralizes the protection measures implemented by ISPs.

The ANJ implicitly recognizes this technical limitation by diversifying its actions beyond simple access blocking. The authority now intervenes across the entire intermediary chain, including payment providers and social networks. The goal is to cut off the financial and advertising flows that fuel these sites, even if technical access remains possible via a VPN. This comprehensive strategy aims to make the gaming experience on unlicensed sites sufficiently complex and risky to discourage players. It complements the technical blocking mechanism with increased economic and legal pressure.

2026 Review and Increased Vigilance Around Major Events

The ANJ administrative block procedure intensifies in 2026 amid the multiplication of illicit offerings. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) and the DGCCRF coordinate their actions to neutralize unlicensed sites. They also sanction illegal gambling advertising disseminated by influencers on social networks, particularly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Enhanced Vigilance During the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup serves as a major catalyst for illegal sports betting offerings. As this global event approaches, the ANJ and the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) issued a joint call for vigilance in June 2026. These two public authorities specifically warn about the proliferation of sports betting advice sites operating without a French license. This collaboration between the DGCCRF and the ANJ aims to protect consumers from the financial and addictive risks associated with these unregulated platforms. Vigilance is crucial because these sites exploit the enthusiasm for the competition to capture a vulnerable audience, often unaware of the illegality of their offerings.

Combating Illegal Promotion by Influencers

Social networks have become the primary vector for illegal gambling advertising in France. The ANJ has intensified its contacts with operators of these platforms to combat the promotion of illegal sites. Influencers, who often promote these illegal offerings to their followers, are now directly targeted by formal notices from the regulatory authority. Within the administrative procedure, the ANJ can order any person conducting advertising, including social media influencers, to prevent access to the illicit site. This measure fits into a broader strategy aimed at drying up the visibility of illegal offerings, complementing technical blocking by ISPs.

About This Article - Authorship & Responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst Reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst Last Updated: 2026-07-02.

This article on "ANJ administrative block procedure 2026" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content to reflect regulatory developments, licenses, and bonus terms. 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 mechanisms.

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 (File of Banned Gamblers (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.