ISPs block illegal casino sites: understanding the ANJ's blocking mechanism

ISPs block access to illegal casino sites in France by order of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), pursuant to a reinforced legal framework. This administrative blocking aims to protect players against fraud and addiction by making operators without a French license inaccessible. This measure is accompanied by de-indexing to isolate these platforms from the market.

The legal framework: why ISPs are forced to block access

ISPs block illegal casino sites under direct instruction from the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), a power consolidated by recent legislative reforms. This administrative blocking replaces cumbersome legal procedures, allowing for a rapid response to the illegal offer. In parallel, de-indexing forces search engines to remove these URLs, thereby isolating non-compliant operators.

The law of March 2, 2022 and the powers of the ANJ

The law of March 2, 2022 has considerably accelerated the fight against unauthorized gambling by transferring the blocking power from the judge to the ANJ. Previously, the Paris Judicial Court processed these requests, generating delays of 4 to 6 months between the identification of a site and its effective closure. Now, the president of the ANJ can directly order internet service providers to cut off access to sites offering illegal gambling or advertising it, under the supervision of the administrative judge.

This evolution also includes de-indexing, forcing search engines to remove problematic URLs. This double action - cutting access and web invisibility - aims to dry up traffic to operators appearing on the blacklist published by the authority.

Difference between administrative and judicial blocking

Administrative blocking is distinguished by its operational speed. Where the judicial procedure required a heavy investigation, the new approach allows the ANJ to act in a few weeks, or even days, to stop an identified illegal offer. This speed is crucial to counter the proliferation of mirror sites that attempt to bypass previous bans.

Unlike judicial blocking, which is often perceived as an a posteriori sanction, administrative blocking acts as a preventive police measure. It is not about waiting for a final judgment, but immediately applying the law to protect players from the risks associated with unregulated platforms, such as the absence of a guarantee on winnings or the non-respect of betting limits.

The technical role of ISPs in filtering

ISPs (Internet Service Providers) play an indispensable technical execution role. On instructions from the ANJ, they implement DNS filtering and IP blocking to make blacklisted domains inaccessible from French territory. This legal obligation applies to all major operators, ensuring uniformity of blocking regardless of the provider used by the player.

Technically, the process is not limited to a simple redirection. ISPs collaborate with the ANJ to monitor new addresses and update their blacklists in real-time, making attempts to bypass them via VPN increasingly complex and unstable for the end user. If you encounter difficulties related to gambling, resources like Joueurs Info Service remain available to guide players towards appropriate solutions.

Major risks of unauthorized casino sites

When ISPs block illegal casino sites, they protect users against platforms where the absence of a French license exposes them to unrecoverable financial losses and data theft. These online casino sites operate outside the legal framework, generating risks for adult players, including fraud and addiction, with no possible recourse to the ANJ or the DGCCRF.

Absence of data and fund protection

On these illegal platforms, IT security is non-existent. Unregulated online casino sites do not comply with the GDPR, exposing internet users to malware installation and the resale of their banking details. Unlike approved operators, there is no guarantee of payment. The DGCCRF warns against these fraudulent practices where deposited funds can be misappropriated with no possibility of reimbursement. Risks for players also include over-indebtedness, as no bet-limiting mechanism is imposed.

The illusion of bonuses and the absence of recourse

Attractive bonuses and VIP statuses often serve as traps to encourage money deposits. Once winnings are made, withdrawals are systematically blocked or delayed indefinitely. In the event of a dispute, the absence of a legal framework means that no French authority can intervene to recover the lost money. The risks for players are exacerbated by this total impunity of operators, who can close accounts arbitrarily after collecting the wagers.

Concrete cases: Cresus Casino and Golden Panda

Cresus Casino perfectly illustrates this dynamic: with significant traffic before its block, the platform was the subject of numerous reports for unpaid winnings. The ANJ had to impose strict administrative measures against this persistent illegal offer. Similarly, Golden Panda targets the French market without a license, using mirror sites to bypass initial blocks. These online casino sites demonstrate that despite the bans, illegal operators continue to expose players to major financial and legal risks.

Identify and verify the legality of an operator

The ANJ (National Gaming Authority) systematically orders ISPs to block access to unapproved online casino sites. This administrative action aims to protect players against illegal platforms that expose them to major financial risks. To identify reliable operators, it is imperative to consult the official blacklist and to be wary of mirror sites designed to bypass these bans.

Consult the official blacklist of the ANJ

The blacklist is a public register kept by the ANJ, the French regulatory authority, which lists domains that have been subject to an administrative blocking decision. Its role is crucial because it offers the only reliable reference to distinguish authorized operators from illegal platforms. The ANJ updates this list monthly, having already allowed the blocking of hundreds of URLs, although this register is not exhaustive of all illegal offers.

There is a direct link between this list and the security of online casino sites: an operator absent from the list of approved actors (plus La Française des Jeux) is by definition illegal in France. Even if a site does not yet appear on the blacklist, it presents dangers if its approval is not verified. Players must therefore prioritize consulting the list of approved operators rather than relying solely on the absence of immediate blocking.

The trap of mirror sites and de-indexing

Mirror sites are exact copies of illegal platforms, hosted under new URL addresses to bypass blocking orders issued by the ANJ. Their role is to maintain access to prohibited games despite sanctions, creating a constant cat-and-mouse game with the authorities. The ANJ combats this practice by ordering not only blocking by ISPs, but also the de-indexing of these URLs from search engines to reduce their visibility.

This bypass strategy exposes users to increased risks, as these mirror sites operate outside the French legal framework. For example, after the initial blocking of domains linked to Cresus Casino, mirror versions attempted to reappear, requiring continuous monitoring and repeated de-indexing actions.

The only legal operators in France

In France, the legal offer of online casino sites is strictly limited to a closed list of operators approved by the ANJ, including approved operators for sports betting, poker, and horse racing, as well as La Française des Jeux for lottery. The role of this restriction is to guarantee a secure framework where players' funds are protected and where responsible gaming is enforced. Any other site offering online gambling is considered illegal and exposes players to major risks.

Online casino sites offering slot machines or roulette are simply not authorized in France, regardless of their foreign license. The ANJ collaborates with the DGCCRF and the Paris Judicial Court to enforce this ban. Thus, verifying the presence of an operator on the official ANJ list remains the only reliable method to avoid fraudulent platforms and their mirror sites.

Protecting yourself: personal blocking and help for players

The blocking of illegal casino sites by ISPs constitutes a strict legal barrier, but it is not always sufficient to completely isolate the player from aggressive solicitations. For complete protection, it is crucial to combine this administrative measure with personal blocking tools and to contact Joueurs Info Service in case of difficulty. This proactive approach helps to limit the risks for players linked to platforms unregulated by the ANJ, by cutting off access channels and offering appropriate psychological support.

Contacting Joueurs Info Service for help

Joueurs Info Service is the reference public system in France for the prevention and management of gambling addiction. This entity offers anonymous and free listening, accessible by phone at 09 74 75 13 13 or via chat, seven days a week. Its role is central to accompanying individuals who wish to stop gambling or who feel overwhelmed by their consumption habits.

The importance of this service lies in its capacity to direct users to specialized and free care centers. Unlike the misleading promises of illegal sites, Joueurs Info Service provides verified information and professional support to prevent relapse. The link with the ANJ is direct: the regulatory authority often mandates the dissemination of this service's contact details in its warnings, emphasizing that technical blocking must be accompanied by human help to be fully effective against risks to players.

Setting up effective personal blocking

While the blocking imposed by ISPs is a legal obligation, players can strengthen their protection by installing parental control software or dedicated browser extensions. These tools allow filtering unwanted content at the device level, thus supplementing the DNS filtering carried out by providers. The use of a VPN, however, exposes the user to legal risks and negates the legal protections offered by the French framework.

To block persistent marketing solicitations, it is possible to act directly on communication channels. Players can configure their email inboxes to filter spammers and block numbers sending unwanted promotional SMS via their smartphones' contextual menus. This personal approach is essential because illegal sites use aggressive methods to maintain engagement, even after an attempt to unsubscribe. By combining these personal filters with the administrative blocking of the ANJ, users considerably reduce their visibility to illicit offers.

Reporting an illegal site to the authority

Citizen vigilance plays a key role in the fight against illegal offers. Anyone suspecting that a gambling site is operating without a French license can report it directly to the ANJ. The National Gaming Authority investigates these reports and can order the administrative blocking of the site concerned, thereby adding it to the blacklist of prohibited operators. This process helps protect the community by preventing access to platforms that guarantee neither the security of funds nor the fairness of games.

By reporting a site, the player contributes to the collective regulatory effort. The ANJ works closely with ISPs and search engines to ensure the de-indexing and inaccessibility of these platforms. It is important to remember that the absence of a site from the blacklist does not mean it is legal; only the register of approved operators is authoritative. In case of doubt, verifying the presence of the ANJ logo and reporting any anomaly helps strengthen the effectiveness of the blocking system and limit the risks for players exposed to fraudulent practices.

About this article - Writing & 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 “ISPs block illegal casino sites” 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 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. Areas: mathematics of bonuses, wager analysis, player protection systems.

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 register (gambling ban file (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are levers for sustainable pleasure.

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.