How to Recognize an ANJ-Approved Gambling Site: Verification Guide
To identify a legal gambling site in France, consult the Official List of licensed operators published by the National Gambling Authority (ANJ). The platform must use a .fr domain, display the yellow banner with the warning message, and be limited to sports betting, horse race betting, or poker. Online casinos (slot machines, roulette) are prohibited on French territory.
The official list: the sole source of truth to verify a license
Only consulting the public register allows verifying the legality of a platform. The National Gambling Authority (ANJ) maintains this central database. It guarantees that only operators respecting player protection standards operate legally in France.
Consulting the database of licensed operators
The Official List of licensed operators is the only reliable reference. Hosted on the institutional domain anj.fr, it lists authorized sites by category (sports betting, horse racing, poker) and by exact domain name (.fr). Verify that the visited URL strictly matches the entry in the register. Any discrepancy signals an illegal offer that exposes the player to major financial risks.
Understanding the transition from ARJEL to ANJ
The National Gambling Authority (ANJ) replaced ARJEL on January 1, 2020. It inherits its missions with reinforced sanctioning powers. This regulatory evolution aims to better protect minors and fight against unregistered sites. If the old mention "authorized by ARJEL" still appears on some media, it now implicitly refers to the license issued under the aegis of the ANJ. Only this authority regulates the current market.
Verifying the status of historical operators (FDJ, PMU)
The FDJ (Française des Jeux) and the PMU benefit from exclusive rights but remain subject to strict control by the National Gambling Authority (ANJ). Unlike private bookmakers who obtain a license upon request, these historical operators automatically integrate into the regulated scope. They must respect the same technical compliance and player protection obligations. Their presence in the Official List of licensed operators confirms their alignment with national standards, despite their particular legal status.
Visual and technical indicators: spotting the signs of legality instantly
A technical cross-verification is essential beyond simply consulting the list. A legal operator must display a .fr Domain, present the Yellow Banner / Mandatory Message compliant with the 2023 decree, and guarantee security via a valid SSL Certificate (HTTPS). These visual elements, coupled with transparent Legal Notices, constitute the first line of defense against illegal mirror sites.
The obligation of the .fr domain and the secure certificate
Can a legal gambling site use a .com or .net domain? No. The legal offer in France goes exclusively through a licensed .fr Domain listed by the National Gambling Authority. This geographical extension is not a marketing choice. It is a regulatory obligation linked to the digital and fiscal sovereignty of the French market. In our tests, we find that historical operators like FDJ or PMU, although benefiting from exclusive rights for certain lotteries, strictly respect this addressing standard for their online platforms.
Beyond the URL, data security relies on the SSL Certificate (HTTPS). This protocol encrypts exchanges between the player and the server. It protects banking and personal information. However, a green padlock is not enough. Inspect the certificate details to verify that the issuing entity matches the registered name of the licensed operator. A discrepancy between the name in the SSL certificate and the one appearing on the ANJ register is a major warning sign. This potentially indicates a phishing site or an unregulated offshore subsidiary.
Decrypting the yellow banner and the prevention message
The Yellow Banner / Mandatory Message is the most distinctive visual indicator of a compliant site. Imposed by the Decree of July 11, 2023, this banner must appear visibly and permanently on all pages accessible to players. This is not a simple static image that fraudsters can copy and paste. It is an integrated element recalling the risks of addiction and providing links to support organizations such as Joueurs-Info-Service.
This system is directly linked to Player Protection, a central pillar of the ANJ's mission. The message must include clear warnings about the risky nature of gambling. It directs to moderation tools such as self-exclusion or consultation of the gambling self-exclusion file (fichier des interdits de jeu). During our comparative analysis, we verify that this banner is not obscured by pop-up ads or login windows. This would be a violation of transparency obligations towards minors and vulnerable players.
Locating the ANJ logo, license number, and legal notices
The presence of the ANJ Logo or an explicit reference to the license must be easily identifiable, generally in the footer of the site. However, this logo alone does not prove legality. It must be corroborated by complete and accessible Legal Notices. Make sure to find the License Number specific to each activity (sports betting, horse racing, or poker), as well as the exact registered name of the operator and its registered office.
Legal Notices serve as a legal bridge between the player and the regulatory authority. They allow verifying that the operator is indeed subject to Order No. 2019-1015. They also confirm compliance with the ANJ's technical requirements, in particular the segregation of player funds. If this information is obscure, missing, or refers to a foreign jurisdiction (such as Curaçao or Malta without a complementary French license), the site is not authorized to operate in France. A careful reading of these notices confirms that the entity behind the .fr Domain is indeed the one registered with the ANJ. This ensures a possible recourse in the event of a dispute.
Authorized and prohibited games: what the license actually covers
The strict legal scope is defined by Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010. Only three types of activities are lawful online: sports betting, horse racing betting, and circle games (poker). Any offer including slot machines or roulette belongs to the black market. These games remain formally prohibited on the internet in France.
The legal trilogy: Sport, Horse Racing, and Poker
The license is issued by specific category. Sports Betting constitutes the largest segment. Operators like Betclic or Unibet hold a license to offer odds on physical events. Meanwhile, Horse Race Betting remains under the close supervision of PMU and the ANJ, guaranteeing the integrity of races. Finally, Circle Games (Poker), represented by platforms such as PokerStars or Winamax, are the only authorized form of table casino. They must respect minimum payout thresholds to ensure fairness.
Why online casinos (slots) remain illegal
Unlike neighboring countries, Online Casino (Slots/Roulette) has never been legalized in France. Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010 explicitly excluded pure games of chance like slot machines and blackjack from being opened to competition. Consequently, no license is granted for these activities. Any platform offering these games to the French public therefore operates illegally, without protection for the player. The ANJ actively blocks these unlicensed sites that circumvent national legislation.
The special case of eSports betting and other disciplines
Although popular, not all bets are automatically eligible. The "sports betting" license mainly covers recognized traditional sports competitions. eSports betting is authorized under strict integrity conditions. Not all tournaments are systematically open to betting at licensed operators, unlike major events like the World Cup. Verify that the event you are betting on is indeed covered by the legal offer of the .fr operator.
Player protection: exclusive guarantees for licensed sites
The mandatory presence of protection tools like self-exclusion and the link to Joueurs-Info-Service distinguishes legal sites. These systems, absent from illegal platforms, guarantee that your funds are segregated. You can activate a voluntary gambling ban or undergo an administrative ban via the Gambling Self-Exclusion File (Fichier des interdits de jeu) in case of difficulty.
Security of funds and protection of personal data
On a licensed operator, financial security does not rely on the good faith of the brand, but on a strict legal obligation: the segregation of assets. This means that players' money is stored in accounts separate from the company's operating funds. This protects your deposits in the event of the operator's bankruptcy. Furthermore, transactions are secured by rigorous encryption protocols. On non-regulated sites, the risk of fraud or identity theft is major.
The ANJ also imposes a systematic identity verification before any withdrawal. This helps fight against money laundering and underage access. This traceability ensures that every euro deposited and won remains under regulatory supervision. It offers a clear legal recourse in France in the event of a dispute. Unlicensed sites offer no protection.
Control tools: deposit limits and self-exclusion
Addiction prevention is at the heart of the ANJ's mandate. Each legal site must natively offer gambling moderators: setting deposit caps, connection time limits, and loss thresholds. If these measures prove insufficient, the player can request a self-exclusion. This is a powerful system that suspends access to all licensed sites for a set period.
This approach is structured around two complementary mechanisms. On one hand, voluntary gambling ban allows the player to block themselves from operators. On the other hand, the Gambling Self-Exclusion File (FIJ) centralizes these decisions. It also includes bans pronounced by the authority (administrative ban) for at-risk profiles or minors. By activating these tools, you are immediately protected across the entire French regulated market.
Reporting a suspect site and avoiding scams
If you come across a platform offering games without displaying the required legal notices, it is likely an illegal site. The absence of the link to Joueurs-Info-Service and the toll-free number 09 74 75 13 13 is an immediate red flag. These resources, managed by Joueurs-Info-Service, provide essential help for addiction prevention and guidance to health professionals.
To take action, you can report the site directly to the ANJ. The Authority has extensive sanctioning powers, including blocking financial flows and delisting by search engines. The ANJ regularly blocks sites offering illegal or non-compliant offers. By playing only on the official list, you avoid these traps and benefit from a controlled environment.
About this article - Writing & responsibility
✍️ Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst
✅ Verified by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst
📅 Last updated: 2026-08-21.
This article on "how to recognize an ANJ-approved gambling site" was written by Sarah Weber and proofread by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory changes, licenses, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, authorities, or legal frameworks refer to public sources (ANJ (National Gambling Authority), Law of May 12, 2010 on the opening of online gambling).
About the Author
8+ years of testing casinos, 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 measures.
Responsible Gaming
Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs, or use the national self-exclusion register (gambling self-exclusion 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 regulations.