Online gambling regulation in France

Prohibited. Law of 12 May 2010 on online gambling, article 57 (as cited by ANJ communication 2023-C-001), and Code de la sécurité intérieure L.320-12, L.320-14 on non-compliant gambling advertising.

Commercial communication in favour of a non-authorised gambling site is punishable by a €100,000 fine; referenced as article 57 of the law of 12 May 2010.

Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), an independent administrative authority regulating authorised online and land-based gambling in France — anj.fr

French online gambling is primarily regulated by the Code de la sécurité intérieure (notably articles L.320-12, L.320-14, D.320-2, D.320-9, D.320-10) and the law of 12 May 2010.

Online casino: Prohibited. Online sports betting: Licensed.

The regulator publishes a register of licensed operators. ANJ website publishes a public list of licensed operators and a list of prohibited gambling sites.

https://anj.fr/

• ISP/domain blocking list of illegal sites published by ANJ
• Fines for non-compliant gambling advertising under Code de la sécurité intérieure L.320-12, L.320-14, up to €100,000
• Criminal offence to advertise non-authorised gambling sites; €100,000 fine (law of 12 May 2010, art. 57 referenced)
• Administrative enforcement actions and injunctions by ANJ against operators

• Commercial communications must include a warning message on gambling risks; mandatory warning under CSI article D.320-2
• Advertising must not incite excessive or pathological gambling; CSI article D.320-9
• Advertising must not target minors or appear in programmes/services aimed at minors; restrictions under CSI L.320-12 and related rules
• Prohibitions on using minors’ imagery or personalities appealing to minors in communications; CSI D.320-10

• ANJ continues to issue and update detailed guidelines on commercial communications, including 2022-C-001 (general advertising) and 2023-C-001 (sponsorship).
• Recent ANJ decisions (e.g. 2024-174) strengthen requirements not to market to self-excluded or high-risk players.
• Organisational developments at ANJ, including new leadership appointments reported in 2025 press releases.

• Exact article number of the law of 12 May 2010 referenced as article 57 for the advertising ban on non-authorised sites is not fully verified in the retrieved text.
• Specific legislative basis and procedure for ISP/domain blocking of illegal gambling sites are not clearly identified in the retrieved Code provisions.
• Exact section references for criminal sanctions for illegal-gambling advertising beyond those cited (L.320-12, L.320-14) may involve additional articles not fully visible in search results.
• Whether paid mystery/loot boxes are treated as gambling or consumer products in France.
• Whether sweepstakes/social casinos using dual-currency or prize models are specifically regulated or prohibited in France.
• Whether France treats real-money prediction markets as gambling, financial derivatives, or another category.

1. anj.fr/
2. anj.fr/regulation
3. economie.gouv.fr/cedef/fiches-pratiques/regulation-des-jeux-et-paris-en-ligne-en-france-fonctionnement
4. anj.fr/communiques-de-presse
5. anj.fr/lanj
6. legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000047080610
7. doctrine.fr/d/ANJ/2024/ARJELEFA1F3B498C22A6A4F09
8. codes.droit.org/PDF/Code%20de%20la%20s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9%20int%C3%A9rieure.pdf?ts=1420988371
9. reynaud-avocat.com/les-jeux-d-argent-sur-internet/online-gambling-what-is-the-french-legal-framework/
10. gamblingmaps.org/map/regulations/france
11. cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-online-gambling-regulation-in-europe/france
12. eupoker.com/france-poker-regulations/
13. softswiss.com/gambling-regulation-map/france/
14. gamblingmaps.org/map/regulations/france/for-operators
15. somuchpoker.com/poker-guides/europe/france
16. gambling.com/news/online-gambling-france-is-online-casino-legal-in-france
17. amf-france.org/sites/institutionnel/files/pdf/79265/en/ESMA_Public_statement_ESMA_reminds_firms_of_existing_rules_and_obligations_under_binary_option_measures_amid_growing_popularity_of_prediction_markets_globally.pdf?1789718796
18. amf-france.org/sites/institutionnel/files/contenu_simple/regles_professionnelles_approuvees/AMF's%20decision%20of%202%20July%202019%20prohibiting%20the%20marketing,%20distribution%20or%20sale,%20in%20France%20or%20from%20France,%20of%20binary%20options%20to%20retail%20investors.pdf
19. afm.nl/~/profmedia/files/onderwerpen/productinterventie/productinterventie-bo_eng.pdf?la=en
20. amf-france.org/en/news-publications/news/esma-public-statement-esma-reminds-firms-existing-rules-and-obligations-under-binary-option-measures
21. amf-france.org/fr/actualites-publications/actualites/communique-esma-esma-reminds-firms-existing-rules-and-obligations-under-binary-option-measures-amid
22. betterchecked.com/review/earnlab-test-review
23. blog.empiredrop.com/mystery-box-laws-by-country-where-are-they-legal/
24. blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers/
25. track360.io/blog/mystery-box-gambling-or-shopping-operator-compliance-guide
26. betterchecked.com/review/cases-gg-review-this-year-how-to-win-big-with-case-battles-and-free-play-460ddc92

Researched 2026-09-21 from public sources and summarised by the Brandfense team. Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or your counsel before acting.