ANJ blacklist blocked sites 2026: Complete guide, update and legal alternatives

The ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 compiles the illegal gambling platforms targeted by administrative blocking in France. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) requires internet service providers such as Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues Telecom to block access to these sites, including Cresus Casino. The objective is to protect players from fraud, addiction, and money laundering. This list, which is not exhaustive, evolves regularly thanks to official decisions based on the Law of March 2, 2022.

Understanding the ANJ blacklist and blocked sites in 2026

The ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 identifies the gambling and chance gaming platforms subject to an administrative blocking and de-listing order in France. Published by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), this database serves to protect players from illegal operators that do not comply with French legal obligations. The list is not fixed and changes constantly with the appearance of new mirror sites.

Which sites are on the ANJ blacklist?

The ANJ, the French regulatory authority, regularly updates its list with the URLs of sites operating without approval. A striking example is Cresus Casino, a platform that attracted about 3 million visitors per month before its total blocking in June 2024 for non-compliance with the rules. This case shows the firmness of the administrative measures: after an initial block, the site tried to change its address via mirror sites, but the ANJ ordered a new block.

The list also includes many casinos under foreign licenses, such as those from Curacao eGaming, which are considered illegal in French territory. These sites, often accessible via changing domains, pose a significant financial risk because they do not guarantee the payout of winnings. The ANJ mobilizes Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to apply these technical blocks, making access to these platforms increasingly difficult for French players.

Crucial difference: Approved operators vs. Illegal sites

The distinction between legal operators and unregulated sites lies in obtaining official approval. Actors like WINAMAX, Betclic, or Unibet hold an approval from the ANJ, which allows them to legally offer sports betting and poker services. LA FRANCAISE DES JEUX holds the monopoly on certain lottery games and operates under a strict framework for player protection.

Conversely, illegal sites do not have ANJ approval and often operate from abroad without complying with French standards for safety and addiction prevention. Playing on these platforms exposes users to major risks: lack of legal protection in the event of a dispute, risks of fraud, and increased addiction potential due to offers that are too attractive but uncontrolled. Unlike approved operators who impose deposit limits and offer self-exclusion tools, blocked sites ignore these protection measures.

Why is the blacklist not exhaustive?

The ANJ explicitly states that its blacklist does not cover all existing illegal sites. The authority regularly adds new URLs as it identifies fraudulent operators or mirror sites trying to bypass previous blocks. Consequently, the absence of a site from this list does not guarantee its legality.

It is therefore recommended to systematically check the positive list of approved operators before depositing money. This proactive approach is the only reliable method to avoid the traps of unregulated casinos that can appear and disappear quickly, temporarily escaping the ANJ's radar.

Mechanisms of administrative blocking and the role of ISPs

The ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 is not a simple static directory, but the result of a dynamic technical filtering system. Administrative blocking allows the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) to order ISPs to make illegal offers inaccessible, reducing processing times to about two months compared to six to nine months previously. This efficiency relies on strict coordination between the regulator and telecom operators to neutralize problematic URLs.

The legal framework: The Law of March 2, 2022

The legal basis for this action lies in the Law of March 2, 2022, which granted the president of the ANJ the power to directly order the blocking of illegal content without going through a lengthy judicial procedure. This Law of March 2, 2022 modernizes the fight against illegal offerings by adapting action methods to the digital age. In 2024, this procedure made it possible to issue 232 blocking orders concerning 1,337 URLs, a majority of which were mirror sites. Administrative blocking thus proves to be less costly and faster than the old system, precisely targeting copied interfaces of banned operators.

The technical role of ISPs: DNS and IP blocking

ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are the technical executioners of these decisions. Major players like Orange and Free, as well as SFR and Bouygues Telecom, receive instructions from the ANJ to filter access to reported domains. The role of ISPs is crucial because they apply two main technologies: DNS blocking and IP blocking.

DNS blocking prevents the resolution of the illegal domain name into an IP address, making the site inaccessible via its usual URL. IP blocking directly targets the address of the server hosting the site, blocking access even if the user attempts to bypass DNS. For example, Orange can implement effective DNS filtering, while Free uses system updates to re-assign blocked addresses, ensuring rapid compliance on both fixed and mobile networks.

The fight against mirror sites

Mirror sites attempt to escape administrative blocking by changing their URL while maintaining the graphic interface of the original site. The ANJ responds with active monitoring of new domains and simultaneous de-listing. Although these copies are technically distinct by their address, they remain identifiable by their visual signatures and are integrated into the ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 as soon as they are detected. This responsiveness prevents the false reappearance of illegal operators like Cresus Casino under new digital identities.

Major risks for players on banned sites

Consulting the ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026 is an important step, because illegal platforms expose users to systemic dangers absent from the regulated market. The lack of state control means that the integrity of the games is not guaranteed and your banking details are vulnerable. By playing on these sites, you voluntarily waive legal protections against excessive gambling and recourse in the event of financial fraud or violation of your personal data.

Financial fraud and money laundering

The most immediate risk concerns the safety of your funds. On unauthorized sites, you have no guarantee of getting your money back, as operators escape any financial supervision. These platforms are often vectors for money laundering, using player flows to conceal the origin of illicit capital. Our analyses confirm that certain illegal sites debit amounts from your bank account multiple times without your consent, a practice qualified as scamming. Unlike approved operators, these entities do not separate player funds from their operating cash flow, increasing the risk of non-payment of winnings in the event of a sudden site closure.

Lack of protection against addiction

Gambling addiction is a public health issue that illegal sites deliberately ignore. These platforms offer extremely attractive deals without taking any steps to protect players against excessive gambling. They do not respect responsible gaming obligations, such as setting deposit limits or access to the registry of banned players. This lack of safeguards exposes users to major social difficulties, including isolation and serious family problems. Without the moderation tools imposed by the ANJ, the line between leisure and pathology becomes blurred, leaving the player alone with their compulsions.

Data security and GDPR compliance

Cybercrime thrives on blacklisted sites because they do not comply with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Your personal and banking information can be compromised, hijacked, or resold on the dark web. You are also exposed to risks of identity theft, as these operators do not necessarily encrypt sensitive data exchanges. Furthermore, the gaming software used is neither controlled nor certified, which means you cannot be sure that the games are not rigged. This technical opacity prevents any verification of the fairness of the draws, turning every session into a bet against the house rather than a regulated game of chance.

How to verify the legality of a site and play safely?

To avoid the traps of the ANJ blacklist, it is imperative to understand that the National Gaming Authority does not just ban: it activates administrative levers to make illegal platforms inaccessible. If you identify a suspect operator, your report triggers an investigation that can lead to a technical block, thereby protecting the gaming community against the risks of fraud and data theft.

How to report an illegal site to the ANJ?

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ), the French public regulator, has as its central mission to fight against unauthorized gaming offerings. Any player can contribute to this protection by reporting a platform that seems illegal directly to the regulator. This step is not trivial: it allows the ANJ to open an in-depth investigation and, if the illegality is confirmed, to implement an administrative block. This block makes the site inaccessible to French internet users, thereby cutting off access to operators operating without a license, as has been the case for many entities since March 2022. By acting in this way, you actively participate in cleaning up the online gaming market in France.

Who to contact in the event of a dispute with a blocked site?

It is crucial to distinguish the possible remedies depending on the legality of the operator. The Games Mediator (Médiateur des jeux), an body for amicable conflict resolution, is not competent to handle disputes involving illegal operators. This lack of jurisdiction means that if you have lost money or suffered damage on a site appearing on the ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026, the Mediator will not be able to intervene. In this specific case, jurisdiction lies with the DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control). The DGCCRF, a consumer protection authority, processes these complaints via the dedicated platform Signal.conso.gouv.fr. This referral to the DGCCRF is vital, because risks on banned sites include identity theft and the hijacking of banking details, offenses that fall under consumer law and fraud.

The evolution of regulation since the ARJEL

The transition from ARJEL to the National Gaming Authority marks a significant tightening of regulation. The ANJ has deployed robust administrative blocking procedures, coordinated with internet service providers (ISPs). This evolution is part of a legal framework validated by the Paris Administrative Court and confirmed by the Council of State (Conseil d'État), which support the legality of these restrictive measures to protect public order and players. Unlike the previous era, the current approach integrates the de-listing of URLs and the tracking of mirror sites, making circumvention more difficult. The Council of State plays the role of constitutional guarantor here, validating the ANJ's decisions in the face of appeals from sanctioned operators, while the Paris Administrative Court examines disputes in the first instance. This legal architecture ensures that blockings are not arbitrary, but based on a rigorous analysis of the illegal gambling offer.

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 the "ANJ blacklist of blocked sites 2026" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory changes, 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. Fields: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, player protection measures.

Responsible gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs, or use the national self-exclusion registry (file of banned players (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are tools 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.