The blacklist, which will be updated monthly, features websites operated by brands such as Campeonbet, Casinoextra, Dublinbet, Kahuna Casino, Winmachance, MyStake, WinUnique, VegasPlus and YBet. Last March, ANJ was given new powers to block and delist illegal gambling websites, as well as those advertising these sites.
Since the first administrative blocking and delisting orders were sent out in June last year, ANJ has issued a total of 152 orders. As a result, some 532 URLs related to illegal gambling content have been blocked. ANJ stated that it has improved the process of blocking such sites to take faster action in halting access to illegal websites. Previously, it would take four to six months from identifying an illegal site to getting approval from a judge to block access.
However, now ANJ can consult with an administrative judge to request French internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to websites identified as operating or advertising illegally. A formal notice will be sent to the publisher and host of the site. If there is no response within five days, and the operator continues to operate illegally, ANJ may contact ISPs to take action to block access. This could potentially reduce the blocking process to one to two months.
Currently, there are 17 operators licensed to operate in France, while La Française des Jeux holds the monopoly for the lottery in the country. A list of these approved operators can be found on ANJ’s website.
“When a French consumer plays on an illegal website, it exposes them to various risks such as unauthorized collection of personal data, payment fraud, installation of malicious computer programs, non-payment of winnings, and the absence of measures to prevent excessive gambling and underage gambling,” ANJ stated. “The ANJ also encourages players to report illegal gambling sites to the regulator.”
