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 issue. If the operator lacks authorization, contact the National Games Authority (ANJ) to request an administrative block. If a legal site uses misleading commercial practices, go through SignalConso (DGCCRF). In cases of confirmed fraud or data theft, use the Pharos platform or file a complaint with the gendarmerie.

Why and when to report an unauthorized gambling site?

Referring to a DGCCRF report for an illegal gambling site often stems from confusion. The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) handles commercial disputes, not clandestine operations. For an illegal site operating without authorization, the National Games Authority (ANJ) is the only competent body to order its administrative block. Mixing these institutions renders your action useless, as consumer protection under the Consumer Code does not apply to criminal activities involving unregulated gambling and games of chance.

Major risks: from fraud to personal data theft

Playing on an unauthorized platform exposes you to dangers that the ANJ specifically aims to prevent. These operators evade compliance checks, significantly increasing the risks of Fraud and financial fraud. Without the safeguards imposed on licensed operators, players are also vulnerable to Identity theft and a complete lack of addiction prevention measures. Unlike legal sites, these actors disregard GDPR and minor protection obligations. Your personal data has no clear legal recourse in case of a breach. Furthermore, the lack of oversight by the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) means your information could 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 warranty refusal. Its role is to ensure market regulation and consumer economic security during purchases or valid contracts. Conversely, operating a betting site without a license is a criminal offense falling under cybercrime. If you report pure fraud or a ghost site to the fraud control authorities, your case risks being dismissed. It falls outside consumer protection and into organized crime. This distinction explains the limits of Competition Law when facing illicit activities.

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

The ANJ is the national regulatory authority fighting illegal offerings. It maintains a "blacklist" and carries out the administrative blocking of prohibited sites. It protects players by ensuring only authorized operators offer gambling and games of chance that comply with the law. The DGCCRF, through its SignalConso service, remains relevant only if the dispute involves an authorized operator failing to meet its contractual or commercial obligations. For an illegal site, direct the report to the ANJ or illicit content reporting platforms like Pharos, not to economic protection services.

The reporting procedure via SignalConso (DGCCRF)

To file 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 Games Authority (ANJ) clarifies that its jurisdiction stops at authorized operators. This online service allows players to report abusive practices, but it is important to distinguish commercial offenses from completely illegal sites that fall under other authorities.

Accessing the official signal.conso.gouv.fr platform

The website signal.conso.gouv.fr is the single entry point 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 facing the volume of internet transactions. As a consumer, you directly report a problem encountered with a professional, in-store or online.

Step-by-step guide to filing 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 games of chance or related services:

Account creation: Log in to track the progress of your case. Professional identification: If the operator is known, provide their details. Otherwise, opt for a generic report. Description of events: Detail the misleading commercial practice or failure to meet obligations, referencing the Consumer Code. Submission: The DGCCRF contacts the company to inform them, allowing them to respond or correct the issue.

What evidence to provide to speed up processing?

Provide tangible evidence illustrating the breach. The following items are recommended to support your DGCCRF report for an illegal gambling site:

Screenshots of product descriptions or promotional offers. Transaction histories and invoices. Correspondence or emails with customer support. Precise URL of the site in question.

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 lacks jurisdiction over illegal operators.

Other complementary and specialized reporting channels

Beyond a DGCCRF report for an illegal gambling site, you should direct your complaint to the competent authority based on the nature of the offense. If the operator is absent from the official registry, the National Games Authority (ANJ) is the primary contact to trigger the Blocking of illicit sites. In case of confirmed financial loss related to a scam, prioritize the Pharos platforms, while the DGCCRF remains relevant for commercial disputes on legal platforms.

Reporting an unlicensed operator to the ANJ

The National Games Authority (ANJ) is the public regulator responsible for overseeing all gambling and games of chance in France. Its role goes beyond issuing licenses. It maintains a blacklist of illegal operators and orders their administrative blocking with internet service providers. Before taking any action, check for the ANJ logo at the bottom of the suspect site's page. If the operator is absent from the public registry, report it directly to the ANJ rather than the fraud control authorities. This action feeds the database used to filter access to non-compliant sites, thereby protecting players from platforms operating without legal guarantees.

Fraud and cybercrime: Pharos and THÉSEE

When the report concerns confirmed fraud or illicit content on the internet, the Pharos platform from the Ministry of the Interior and the THÉSEE system are the appropriate channels. Pharos allows reporting dangerous behavior, while THÉSEE centralizes complaints for online scams, including the theft of banking details. These tools complement the actions of the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), which focuses 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 during purchases, but it does not cover serious criminal offenses. If you suffer immediate financial harm, threats, or harassment related to a gambling site, contact the police or gendarmerie directly. Unlike a simple issue 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 with your bank. This step ensures rapid judicial handling, whereas administrative procedures may prove too slow given the urgency of fraud.

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

To avoid fraud risks and protect your data, systematically verify the operator's authorization. An illegal site offers no withdrawal guarantees and exposes you to fraudulent charges. The first step is to consult the official registry of the National Games Authority (ANJ), the only body authorized to permit gambling and games of chance in France. If the operator is not listed, it is an illicit offering subject to administrative blocking, not a simple commercial dispute.

Consulting the whitelist of authorized operators in France

The National Games Authority (ANJ) strictly regulates the market to ensure software integrity and player protection. Before any deposit, look for the "Play Responsibly" 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 the fraud control authorities ineffective for criminal offenses.

Identifying warning signs of a fraudulent site

An illegal site often features unrealistic promotional offers and non-existent customer support. Beware of obscure payment methods and a lack of clear legal notices, which signal a high risk of banking details theft or identity fraud. Unlike authorized operators, these platforms offer no addiction prevention measures, exposing users to serious financial difficulties with no possible recourse. Also be cautious of Loot boxes in Video games, which can sometimes resemble unregulated games of chance if they are monetizable, a topic monitored by the European Union.

About this article - Authorship & Liability

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst Reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst Last updated: 2026-07-02.

This article on "DGCCRF report for illegal gambling site" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content to reflect regulatory changes, licenses, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, authorities, or legal frameworks refer to public sources (ANJ (National Games 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, wager 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 registry (file of gambling bans (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are drivers of lasting 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.