How to Report an Illegal Gambling Site to the DGCCRF: Complete Guide and Procedure 2026

The authority to contact depends on the exact nature of the problem. If the operator does not have a license, contact the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) to obtain an administrative block. If a legal site uses misleading commercial practices, go through SignalConso (DGCCRF). In the event of proven fraud or data theft, prioritize the Pharos platform or file a complaint with the gendarmerie.

Why and when should you report an unauthorized gambling site?

Speaking of a DGCCRF report for an illegal gambling site is often a result of confusion. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) manages commercial disputes, not clandestine operations. For an illegal site operating without a license, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is the only competent body to order its administrative blocking. Mixing up these institutions makes your efforts useless, as consumer protection via the Consumer Code does not apply to unregulated gambling and betting criminal activities.

Major risks: from scams to identity theft

Playing on an unauthorized platform exposes you to dangers that the ANJ is precisely trying to prevent. These operators evade compliance checks, which greatly increases the risk of scams and financial fraud. Without the safeguards imposed on licensees, players also suffer from identity theft and a total lack of anti-addiction measures. Unlike legal sites, these players ignore the GDPR and minor protection obligations. Your personal data has no clear legal recourse in the event of a leak. Furthermore, the lack of control by the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) means that your information can be resold or used for money laundering.

The crucial distinction: Commercial dispute vs. Illegal site

The DGCCRF intervenes when a legal professional uses misleading commercial practices, such as false advertising or refusal of warranty. Its role is to ensure market regulation and the economic security of consumers during purchases or valid contracts. Conversely, operating a betting site without a license is a criminal offense falling under cybercrime. If you report a pure scam or a ghost site to fraud control, your case is likely to be closed without further action. It moves out of the consumer field and into organized crime. This distinction explains the limits of Competition Law in the face of illegal activities.

The role of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) vs. the DGCCRF

The ANJ is the national regulatory authority that fights against illegal offers. It maintains a "blacklist" and proceeds with the administrative blocking of banned sites. It protects players by ensuring that only licensed operators offer gambling and betting activities in compliance with the law. The DGCCRF, through its SignalConso service, remains relevant only if the dispute involves a licensed operator that does not respect its contractual or commercial obligations. For an illegal site, direct the report to the ANJ or illegal content reporting platforms like Pharos, not to economic protection services.

The reporting procedure via SignalConso (DGCCRF)

To submit a DGCCRF report for an illegal gambling site involving abusive practices, the official SignalConso platform is the preferred channel for consumer disputes. However, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) specifies that its jurisdiction is limited to licensed operators. This online service allows players to report abusive practices, but commercial infractions must be distinguished from completely lawless sites which fall under other authorities.

Accessing the official platform signal.conso.gouv.fr

The signal.conso.gouv.fr website is the single point of entry managed by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). This platform was launched to compensate for the limited number of inspection agents faced with the mass of internet transactions. As a consumer, you can directly report a problem encountered with a professional, in-store or online.

Step-by-step steps to file an effective report

The online process on SignalConso follows a structured procedure to ensure your request is taken into account. Here are the key steps for a relevant report concerning gambling and betting or related services:

Account creation: Identify yourself to track the progress of your file. Identification of the professional: If the operator is known, enter their details; otherwise, opt for a generic report. Description of the facts: Detail the misleading commercial practice or non-compliance with obligations, based on the Consumer Code. Transmission: The DGCCRF contacts the company to inform them, and they can then respond or correct the anomaly.

What evidence should be provided to speed up processing?

Provide tangible evidence that illustrates the breach. The following elements are recommended to support your DGCCRF report of an illegal gambling site:

Screenshots of product descriptions or promotional offers. Transaction histories and invoices. Correspondence or emails with customer support. Exact URL of the website concerned.

These documents allow investigators to verify allegations of false advertising or non-compliance. Note that if the dispute concerns a site without an ANJ license, the authority will direct you to the appropriate channels, as it is not competent for illegal operators.

Other complementary and specialized reporting channels

Beyond the DGCCRF report of an illegal gambling site, you must direct your complaint to the competent authority depending on the nature of the infraction. If the operator is missing from the official registry, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is the priority contact to initiate the blocking of illegal sites. In the event of a proven financial loss related to a scam, prioritize the Pharos platforms, while the DGCCRF remains relevant for commercial disputes on legal platforms.

Report an unlicensed operator to the ANJ

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is the public regulator responsible for supervising all gambling and betting activities in France. Its role is not limited to issuing licenses. It maintains a blacklist of illegal operators and orders their administrative blocking by internet service providers. Before taking any steps, check for the presence of the ANJ logo at the bottom of the suspect site's page. If the operator is missing from the public registry, report it directly to the ANJ rather than to fraud control. This action feeds the database used to filter access to non-compliant sites, thereby protecting players from platforms operating without legal guarantees.

Scams and cybercrime: Pharos and THÉSEE

When the report concerns a proven scam or illegal content on the internet, the Ministry of the Interior's Pharos platform and the THÉSEE system are the appropriate channels. Pharos allows you to report dangerous behavior, while THÉSEE centralizes complaints for online scams, including the theft of bank details. These tools complement the work of the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), which intervenes more on misleading commercial practices. If you suspect money laundering through a clandestine casino, these reports also feed into TRACFIN investigations.

When to contact the police or gendarmerie directly?

The Consumer Code protects your rights when making purchases, but it does not cover serious criminal offenses. If you suffer immediate financial harm, threats, or harassment related to a gaming site, contact the police or gendarmerie directly. Unlike a simple problem with a professional handled by SignalConso, these situations fall under criminal law. File a complaint online or at a police station to obtain a receipt, which is essential for any refund request from your bank. This process ensures rapid judicial handling, where administrative procedures may prove too slow in the face of urgent fraud.

How to check the legality of a gambling site before playing?

To avoid the risk of scams and protect your data, systematically check the operator's license. An illegal site offers no guarantee of payouts and exposes you to fraudulent withdrawals. The first step is to consult the official registry of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), the only body authorized to permit gambling and betting in France. If the operator does not appear there, it is an illegal offer subject to administrative blocking, and not a simple commercial dispute.

Consult the white list of licensed operators in France

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) strictly regulates the market to ensure software integrity and player protection. Before making any deposit, look for the "Jouer responsable" logo and verify the operator's presence on the public list of authorized sites. This verification is crucial because unlicensed sites do not comply with the Consumer Code or French security standards, making any complaint to fraud control ineffective for criminal offenses.

Identify the warning signs of a fraudulent site

An illegal site often presents unrealistic promotional offers and non-existent customer support. Beware of obscure payment methods and the lack of clear legal notices, which signal a high risk of theft of bank details or identity theft. Unlike licensed operators, these platforms do not offer any measures to fight addiction, exposing users to serious financial difficulties with no possible recourse. Also watch out for loot boxes in video games, which can sometimes be akin to unregulated gambling if they can be monetized, a subject monitored by the European Union.

About this article - Authorship & 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 "DGCCRF report illegal gambling site" 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 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 licensed operators under the French ANJ framework. PhD in economic mathematics. Fields: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, player protection measures.

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 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 rules.