ISPs block illegal casino sites: understanding the ANJ blocking mechanism

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

The legal framework: why ISPs are required to block access

ISPs block illegal casino sites on direct instruction from the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), a competence consolidated by recent legislative reforms. This administrative blocking replaces cumbersome judicial procedures, enabling a rapid response to illicit offerings. In parallel, de-listing 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, significantly accelerated the fight against unauthorized gambling by transferring blocking powers from the judge to the ANJ. Previously, the Paris Judicial Court handled these requests, resulting in delays of 4 to 6 months between identifying a site and its actual closure. Now, the ANJ president can directly instruct internet service providers to cut off access to sites offering illegal gambling or advertising it, under the supervision of the administrative judge.

This development also includes de-listing, requiring search engines to remove problematic URLs. This dual action - access cutoff and web invisibility - aims to dry up traffic to operators on the authority's blacklist.

Difference between administrative and judicial blocking

Administrative blocking is distinguished by its operational speed. Where judicial procedures required lengthy investigations, the new approach allows the ANJ to act within weeks, or even days, to stop an identified illicit offering. This speed is crucial to counter the proliferation of mirror sites attempting to bypass previous bans.

Unlike judicial blocking, often perceived as a post-facto sanction, administrative blocking acts as a preventive police measure. It does not involve waiting for a final judgment, but rather applying the law immediately to protect players from risks associated with unregulated platforms, such as lack of payout guarantees or failure to respect betting limits.

The technical role of ISPs in filtering

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

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

Major risks of unauthorized casino sites

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

Lack of data and fund protection

On these illicit platforms, cybersecurity is non-existent. Unregulated online casino sites do not comply with GDPR, exposing users to malware installation and the resale of their banking details. Unlike licensed operators, there is no payment guarantee. The DGCCRF warns against these fraudulent practices where deposited funds can be misappropriated without any possibility of refund. Player risks also include over-indebtedness, as no betting limit mechanisms are enforced.

The illusion of bonuses and lack of recourse

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

Concrete cases: Cresus Casino and Golden Panda

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

Identifying and verifying the legality of an operator

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

Consulting the official ANJ blacklist

The blacklist is a public registry maintained by the ANJ, the French regulatory authority, which lists domains subject to administrative blocking decisions. Its role is crucial as it provides the only reliable reference to distinguish authorized operators from illicit platforms. The ANJ updates this list monthly, having already enabled the blocking of hundreds of URLs, although this registry is not exhaustive of the entire illegal offering.

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

The trap of mirror sites and de-listing

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 authorities. The ANJ combats this practice by ordering not only ISP blocking but also the de-listing 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-listing actions.

The only legal operators in France

In France, the legal offering of online casino sites is strictly limited to a closed list of operators licensed by the ANJ, including those licensed for sports betting, poker, and horse racing, as well as La Française des Jeux for lotteries. The purpose of this restriction is to guarantee a secure framework where player funds are protected and responsible gaming is enforced. Any other site offering online games of chance 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 an operator's presence on the official ANJ list remains the only reliable method to avoid fraudulent platforms and their mirror sites.

Protecting yourself: personal blocking and player support

The blocking of illegal casino sites by ISPs constitutes a strict legal barrier, but it does not always fully isolate players 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 limit player risks associated with platforms unregulated by the ANJ by cutting off access channels and providing appropriate psychological support.

Contacting Joueurs Info Service for help

Joueurs Info Service is the reference public service in France for the prevention and treatment 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 in supporting individuals who wish to stop playing or feel overwhelmed by their consumption habits.

The importance of this service lies in its ability to direct users to specialized and free care centers. Unlike the deceptive 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 assistance to be fully effective against player risks.

Implementing effective personal blocking

While ISP-imposed blocking is a legal obligation, players can enhance their protection by installing parental control software or dedicated browser extensions. These tools allow filtering unwanted content at the device level, complementing the DNS filtering performed by ISPs. However, using a VPN exposes users to legal risks and nullifies 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' context menus. This personal step is essential because illegal sites use aggressive methods to maintain engagement, even after an unsubscribe attempt. By combining these personal filters with the ANJ's administrative blocking, users significantly reduce their visibility to illicit offerings.

Reporting an illegal site to the authority

Citizen vigilance plays a key role in fighting the illegal offering. Anyone suspecting that a gaming site operates 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 in question, adding it to the blacklist of prohibited operators. This process protects the community by preventing access to platforms that guarantee neither fund security nor game fairness.

By reporting a site, the player contributes to the collective regulatory effort. The ANJ collaborates closely with ISPs and search engines to ensure the de-listing and inaccessibility of these platforms. It is important to note that a site's absence from the blacklist does not mean it is legal. only the registry of licensed 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 risks for players exposed to fraudulent practices.

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 "ISPs block illegal casino sites" 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 gambling bans (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.