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ANJ Blacklist 2026: Blocked Sites, Polymarket Case and Risks for Players

The 2026 ANJ blocked sites blacklist lists illegal gambling platforms, including Polymarket, which are subject to administrative blocking. The National Games Authority requires internet service providers such as Orange and SFR to filter these web addresses. The goal is to protect players from addiction and fraud. You must consult the official registry to verify licensing before depositing money.

2026 News: The Polymarket Case and Prediction Markets

The 2026 ANJ blocked sites blacklist has been updated with an important decision regarding Polymarket. This prediction market platform is operated by ADVENTURE ONE QSS INC. On July 16, 2026, Pascal Chèvremont, president of the ANJ, ordered the administrative blocking of the site for promoting illegal gambling. This measure reminds us that betting on unauthorized events, without legal guarantees, exposes French players to serious financial and legal risks.

Why was Polymarket blocked in July 2026?

This blocking follows a long period of monitoring by the ANJ, the authority that regulates gaming in France. As early as November 2024, the services offered by ADVENTURE ONE QSS INC. via Polymarket were identified as an unauthorized gambling and games of chance offering. A partial geo-block was implemented in February 2026 to prevent transactions from France, but workarounds persisted.

It is this persistence in promoting an illegal offering that led Pascal Chèvremont to sign the blocking order on July 16, 2026. In France, only sports betting, horse racing, and home poker games are legal. Prediction markets on various topics (politics, weather) do not fall into any approved category. The operator ADVENTURE ONE QSS INC. holds no license. Its activity therefore constitutes a violation of the Internal Security Code.

Specific Risks of Prediction Markets

The lack of regulation on Polymarket means there is no KYC (Know Your Customer) procedure. Yet this system is essential for verifying user identity and integrity. This loophole exposes players to major risks of money laundering and fraud. They have no protection against addiction or operator insolvency.

Data integrity is also an issue. Investigations have shown that certain bets, such as those on weather, could be manipulated by hacking sensors. An investigation was opened on May 4, 2026, by the cybercrime section of the Paris prosecutor's office. It was assigned to the OCLCTIC (Central Office for the Fight against Crime related to Information and Communication Technologies). This highlights the links between these decentralized platforms and cybercrime. Unlike licensed operators that guarantee randomness and data security, these illegal sites leave players without recourse in case of manipulation.

Workarounds and False Security

Attempting to bypass the geo-blocking imposed by the ANJ via a VPN or other technical means exposes the user to increased dangers. By crossing this barrier, the player steps outside the protective framework of French law. They lose all legal recourse in case of disputes, non-payment, or data theft.

French banks, aligned with anti-money laundering directives, may freeze funds related to transactions with entities on the 2026 ANJ blocked sites blacklist. The illusion of access does not protect against the financial toxicity of these platforms. Voluntary self-exclusion and deposit limits, mandatory for licensed operators, are non-existent on these offshore sites. This drastically increases the risk of addiction and financial loss.

Consult the Official Blacklist and Verify a License

Consulting the ANJ blacklist is the first verification step. This database, managed by the National Games Authority, lists platforms that have been subject to an administrative blocking order. However, the absence of a site from this list does not guarantee its legality. Optimal protection lies in cross-referencing with the positive registry of operators holding a valid ANJ license. Only these operators are authorized to offer legal guarantees to French players.

How to Access the List of Blocked Sites?

The National Games Authority makes a specific registry of illegal gambling and games of chance sites available to the public. This blacklist is not static. It is regularly updated to include new URLs subject to administrative blocking and search engine de-referencing. It is important to understand that this list remains non-exhaustive given the proliferation of illegal sites. Consequently, the ANJ recommends relying solely on the absence of a name on this list to validate a platform's reliability. Many fraudulent operators are still active without having been formally identified.

The most reliable method to secure your funds is to consult the registry of licensed operators rather than looking at who is banned. Only holders of an ANJ license, issued for five years and renewable in accordance with Law No. 2010-476, are authorized to operate in France. Major players such as Winamax, Betclic, PMU, and FDJ (Française des Jeux) are listed in this positive registry. They guarantee compliance with legal obligations, such as setting deposit limits and protecting personal data. Conversely, any activity offering unauthorized games (such as online casinos or virtual slot machines) cannot obtain this license and therefore operates illegally. Checking the license expiration date on the ANJ website confirms that the operator, such as Winamax or Betclic, remains under the regular supervision of the authority.

Report a Suspicious Site to the ANJ

If you identify a platform offering gambling without mentioning its license, report it to strengthen the effectiveness of the blacklist. The official procedure allows the National Games Authority to investigate and, if violations are confirmed, order a new administrative block. Players can submit this report via the Signal.conso.gouv.fr platform, which connects consumers to the DGCCRF, or directly to ANJ services. This collective effort is essential to maintain the integrity of the French market and protect players from operators attempting to circumvent current legislation.

Major Risks: Addiction, Fraud, and Lack of Recourse

The 2026 ANJ blocked sites blacklist flags platforms lacking legal guarantees. They expose players to serious financial and psychological risks. By bypassing these blocks, you lose all protection against addiction and expose your data to cyber threats, with no official recourse in case of disputes.

Lack of Protection Against Addiction

Illegal operators ignore the responsible gaming obligations imposed in France. Unlike licensed sites, they offer neither deposit limits nor access to the national self-exclusion registry. This lack of framework fosters addiction, a major risk highlighted by the ANJ. These platforms exploit incentive mechanisms without safety nets to prevent player isolation or financial distress.

Data Security and Money Laundering

Registering on these sites directly exposes you to cyber threats. Your banking and personal information is not secured. This increases the risks of identity theft and fund theft. Furthermore, the lack of KYC (Know Your Customer) checks makes these platforms potential vectors for money laundering. The gaming software is neither certified nor audited to guarantee its integrity.

What to Do in Case of Dispute or Scam?

In case of a problem, the ANJ has no jurisdiction over unlicensed sites. Your only recourse is to report the violation via Signal.conso.gouv.fr, the official DGCCRF platform dedicated to consumer disputes. For proven criminal activities such as organized fraud, it is imperative to file a complaint with PHAROS, the national platform for reporting illegal content, to alert the competent authorities.

Technical Mechanisms of Administrative Blocking in France

Administrative blocking is the primary coercive tool of the National Games Authority (ANJ) to neutralize illegal offerings in 2026. Relying on the Internal Security Code, the regulator orders internet service providers (ISPs) to filter unapproved domains. This technical measure aims to make online gambling and games of chance sites inaccessible if they do not comply with Law No. 2010-476. It thus protects French players from the financial and legal risks associated with illegal operators.

The legitimacy of administrative blocking rests on a precise legal framework, anchored in Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010, and reinforced by provisions of the Internal Security Code. These texts explicitly authorize the ANJ to request access blocking for sites offering gaming services without a French license. Unlike a simple recommendation, this is a legal injunction: any site absent from the licensed operators registry is considered illegal and must be made inaccessible within the national territory.

This procedure follows a public protection logic. The ANJ's mission is to combat illegal offerings by identifying platforms that bypass player protection obligations, such as deposit limits or the ban on online casinos. Administrative blocking is not a direct criminal penalty against the user, but a preventive measure aimed at cutting off the digital flow to unregulated entities. These entities are often involved in practices contrary to European security and anti-money laundering standards.

Role of Telecom Operators

The technical implementation of filtering relies on the mandatory collaboration of major French internet service providers. Major players such as Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free are required to implement blocking decisions made by the ANJ. These telecom operators integrate lists of prohibited domains into their DNS resolution or IP filtering systems. This prevents French users from connecting to servers hosting illegal sites.

This link is crucial because it acts at the source of connectivity. Without the cooperation of Orange or SFR, administrative blocking would remain a symbolic measure with no concrete effect on the digital landscape. By blocking access at the network level, these ISPs ensure that the majority of internet users, even those less tech-savvy, cannot accidentally reach unauthorized betting or gaming platforms. This filtering infrastructure is regularly updated to include new sites identified as dangerous or non-compliant with Law No. 2010-476.

Effectiveness and Limitations of Filtering

While administrative blocking is deterrent for the general public, it has technical limitations for experienced users. Workaround tools, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) or alternative DNS servers, theoretically allow access to sites on the blacklist. However, bypassing this block exposes the player to major risks: by stepping outside the perimeter regulated by the ANJ, they lose all legal protection in case of disputes, non-payment of winnings, or theft of personal data.

The effectiveness of the system therefore lies less in perfect impermeability than in its role as a psychological and technical barrier for the mass of users. It clearly signals that a site is not licensed in France. For legal operators, this filtering guarantees a fair competitive environment where only actors complying with security and anti-addiction standards can operate. In 2026, administrative blocking remains an essential pillar of regulation, complemented by search engine de-referencing actions to reduce the visibility of illegal offerings.

About This Article - Editorial & Liability

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst Verified by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst Last Updated: 2026-07-30.

This article on the "2026 ANJ blocked sites blacklist" 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 operators licensed under the French ANJ framework. PhD in Economic Mathematics. Fields: bonus mathematics, wager analysis, player protection mechanisms.

Responsible Gaming

Gaming can become addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs, or use the national self-exclusion registry (National Exclusion File (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.

FAQ

Which betting sites are blocked by the ANJ in 2026?
The ANJ blocked sites blacklist for 2026 lists platforms that have been subject to an administrative blocking order for illegal offerings. This list is not exhaustive, as new sites constantly appear, but it includes major sanctioned operators like Polymarket. It is crucial to regularly check this list or the registry of licensed operators before making any deposits.
How to view the ANJ blacklist of illegal sites?
The French independent regulator, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), makes the official list of prohibited sites available to the public on its website. This Blacklist is regularly updated to reflect the latest administrative blocking decisions. For maximum security, cross-reference this information with the positive list of operators legally authorized in France.
Why was Polymarket added to the blacklist in 2026?
Polymarket, operated by ADVENTURE ONE QSS INC., was blocked on July 16, 2026, because its prediction markets constitute an unauthorized gambling offering in France. The ANJ noted the absence of a KYC (Know Your Customer) system, exposing players to addiction and fraud risks without regulatory protection. Additionally, irregularities regarding bet integrity, such as those on weather events, triggered a judicial investigation.
How to know if a gaming site is licensed by the ANJ?
Consult the official registry of licensed operators available on the ANJ (National Gaming Authority) website. Only sports betting, horse racing, and private poker games are authorized by Law No. 2010-476. Online casinos and esports betting are strictly prohibited. If a site is not listed in this registry, it operates illegally and exposes you to major financial risks.
What risks are involved in playing on a site on the blacklist?
Playing on an unauthorized site exposes you to serious risks of addiction, identity theft, and the diversion of banking data. In case of a dispute, the ANJ and the gaming mediator are not competent to assist you. You must then contact the DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) via the signal.conso.gouv.fr platform.
Can you bypass the administrative blocking of prohibited sites?
Administrative blocking is a technical measure ordered by the Ministry of the Interior to make illegal sites inaccessible to French internet service providers. Attempting to bypass this block deprives you of French legal protections, including mandatory deposit limits and voluntary gambling bans. It is highly recommended not to play on these platforms to avoid exposure to unregulated operators.
Does the blacklist include esports betting sites?
Yes, because bets on Esports competitions are not covered by the current licenses under Law No. 2010-476 in France to protect young audiences. Any site offering this type of betting without a specific license (which does not exist for this category) is considered illegal. These offerings can therefore appear on the ANJ blocked sites blacklist for 2026 if they target French players.
What should I do if my usual operator disappears from the list of licensed operators?
If an operator loses its license, it must stop accepting new bets and refund player funds. It may then be added to the blacklist published by the ANJ. Always verify the validity of the license before making large deposits to ensure the recovery of your winnings.