It is strictly regulated.
France permits online betting exclusively through licensed operators authorized by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France’s gambling regulator. Offshore betting sites—those unlicensed by the ANJ—operate in legal gray zones, exposing users to enforcement risks. While French law does not criminalize players, the ANJ aggressively blocks unlicensed sites via ISP filtering and targets payment processors collaborating with them. Recent 2026 amendments to the Code de la sécurité intérieure expand penalties for facilitating unlicensed gambling, including fines up to €15 million for payment providers.
Key Regulations for Offshore Betting Sites in France
- ANJ Licensing Mandate: Only operators holding an ANJ license (e.g., FDJ, Parions Sport, or international brands like Betclic) may legally offer sports betting or poker. Offshore sites lack this authorization, rendering their operations illicit under French law.
- Prohibition on Advertising: The ANJ bans unlicensed operators from targeting French consumers via TV, digital ads, or sponsorships. Violations trigger fines up to €100,000 per infraction under the Loi Sapin II anti-corruption framework.
- Payment Restrictions: French banks and e-wallets (e.g., Lydia, PayPal France) are prohibited from processing deposits to unlicensed sites. The ANJ maintains a blacklist of blocked domains, updated quarterly, and collaborates with ARCEP to enforce ISP-level blocks.