How to bypass the ANJ administrative block: risks and legal solutions

Using a VPN or modifying your DNS to bypass the ANJ administrative block is technically feasible but illegal. This practice exposes the player to the total loss of their funds. The only reliable method for playing online is to check if the site appears on the official ANJ list or, if you are registered, to request the lifting of your personal ban.

Why technical bypass methods fail

Attempting to bypass the ANJ administrative block using technical tools does not guarantee access to gaming. More importantly, it puts your money at risk. French ISPs use sophisticated detection systems that make these solutions unstable. Worse, playing on an illegal site deprives you of any legal protection. In the event of a dispute, you will not be able to recover your winnings nor benefit from addiction prevention measures. Every bet then becomes a direct risk to your solvency.

The ineffectiveness of VPNs and DNS changes

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are often marketed as miracle solutions. Yet they fail against current ISP infrastructure. These providers no longer just filter IP addresses. They analyze traffic signatures using Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). This technology identifies the typical encrypted flows of VPNs, even if the IP address appears legitimate.

Our tests show that this detection makes the connection unstable. The ANJ updates its blacklist in real time, and illegal operators often change servers. When connecting a VPN to an ISP, we notice that the block often persists. The provider identifies the tunneling protocol rather than the final destination. This technological race leaves the player with a disconnected connection at the critical moment of a withdrawal or bet.

Changing your DNS (Domain Name System) settings is a popular method, but insufficient for bypassing the ANJ administrative block. DNS acts as a directory to translate domain names into IP addresses. However, French ISPs now block access at the IP address level itself, not just via name resolution.

Therefore, changing DNS is not enough if the ISP directly filters the target site's IP address. This manipulation also exposes the user to security risks. Unverified DNS servers can intercept login data. The LCEN law requires providers to block access to sites on the ANJ list. This relationship between the ISP and the administrative block renders DNS bypasses obsolete against robust IP filtering.

Traceability of the player's digital footprint

A player's digital footprint allows them to be traced beyond just their IP address. This footprint aggregates unique device data: browser configuration, screen resolution, installed plugins. Even with a VPN, this digital footprint remains identifiable to operators and regulators.

The ANJ and licensed operators use this data to detect fraud attempts, particularly to bypass a personal gaming ban. If a player tries to mask their identity via a proxy while maintaining the same digital footprint, they risk account closure and fund confiscation. This traceability proves that the technique does not protect the user. It places them outside the legal framework, with no recourse in case of issues.

Site block vs Personal ban: understanding the distinction

It is necessary to distinguish between an administrative block and a personal ban to know how to bypass the ANJ administrative block without committing an offense. The first targets the infrastructure of an illegal offer on French territory. The second concerns the status of a player registered in the File of Banned Players. Attempting to bypass a site block via a VPN does not lift a Voluntary Gaming Ban, a Judicial Gaming Ban, or an Administrative Gaming Ban. The player then faces enhanced penalties and the total loss of their funds.

When the block concerns the operator and not the player

Why is my gaming account blocked by the ANJ when I haven't done anything? Often, it is not a block on your personal account, but an access restriction to the site itself. The administrative block now replaces the lengthy judicial procedure to combat unlicensed sites. The ANJ, as the regulatory authority, orders ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to cut off access to these platforms after a formal notice has gone unanswered.

This measure, stemming from recent legislative changes (incorporating the provisions of the law of May 12, 2010, as amended), aims to protect players from illegal offers that do not comply with French security standards. If you can no longer access a site, it is likely because it appears on the blacklist of sites subject to an administrative block, not because you are personally banned from gaming.

The three types of gaming bans in France

What is the difference between voluntary, judicial, and administrative bans? There are three distinct regimes managed through the File of Banned Players:

Voluntary Gaming Ban: A proactive step taken by the player to protect themselves against addiction, requested directly from the ANJ or operators. Judicial Gaming Ban: Issued by a judge as part of criminal or civil proceedings, often related to debts or behavioral disorders. Administrative Gaming Ban: Decided by the ANJ for players identified as posing a serious risk, regardless of their will.

Unlike the administrative block which targets sites, these bans are named. A mirror site may attempt to evade the administrative block, but it cannot bypass your registration in the banned players file if the operator performs the required identity checks.

How to know if you are registered with the ANJ

What procedure should be followed to verify your status in the banned players file? Only the ANJ holds precise information regarding your registration. To clear any doubts, you must submit an official request to lift the ban or verify your status.

The procedure requires providing a digital front-and-back copy of a valid ID (national ID card, passport, driver's license, or residence permit). The ANJ then reviews your file. If you are not registered, no action will be taken on a lift request, but you will receive confirmation of your free status. This transparency is essential to distinguish a technical access issue (site block) from a personal legal restriction.

The legal procedure to lift a gaming ban

The only authorized path to regain access to licensed operators is the official request to lift the gaming ban with the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). This administrative process, regulated by law, requires the submission of valid ID documents and follows a strict protocol that excludes any illegal technical bypass methods.

Steps to request the ban lift

The ban lift procedure begins with a secure online process on the ANJ portal or via the dedicated form. The player must strictly prove their identity by uploading a digital front-and-back copy of a valid official document, such as a national ID card, passport, driver's license, or residence permit. These ID documents are crucial as they allow the authority to verify that the request comes from the person registered in the File of Banned Players (FIJ).

Once the file is submitted, the ANJ analyzes the admissibility of the request. If the documents are compliant, the authority proceeds with the registration lift and sends an official notification by postal mail. Note that this procedure only applies to administrative or voluntary bans. A judicial ban requires a court decision. For players in difficulty, the Player Assistance Service and the Joueurs Info Service remind players that the ANJ is the only competent contact for these status changes, not the operators themselves.

Timelines and processing of the request by the ANJ

The processing of a ban lift request is designed to be responsive. According to administrative guidelines, the ANJ reviews the file and proceeds "immediately" to lift the ban if the file is admissible. This means there is no arbitrary waiting period of several weeks for the decision itself, unlike more cumbersome judicial procedures.

However, the player must wait to receive the postal mail containing the official notification to consider the lift effective with all operators. During this period, any attempt to play on a licensed site will be blocked by the ANJ's centralized system. Therefore, it is advisable not to attempt to create new accounts before receiving this written confirmation, under penalty of having these attempts recorded as potential offenses.

Challenging an ANJ decision in court

If the lift request is denied or if the player believes their FIJ registration is unjustified, there are avenues for appeal. The first step often involves a voluntary appeal to the ANJ to request a file review with additional evidence. If this administrative process proves unsatisfactory, the player can pursue a contentious appeal.

In this case, the challenge is brought before the Judicial Court or the administrative judge, depending on the nature of the ban (judicial or administrative). Players can benefit from free legal advice at Houses of Justice and Law to prepare their defense. The Judicial Court is solely competent to annul a ban issued in a criminal context, while the administrative judge oversees ANJ decisions regarding site blocks or administrative registrations. Any attempt to bypass these decisions through technical means remains illegal and does not annul the ban.

The dangers of illegal offers and mirror sites

Knowing how to bypass the ANJ administrative block exposes the player to major financial risks, as these platforms operate outside the French legal framework. By attempting to access a mirror site or an illegal offer, you lose all legal protection over your funds and winnings. The ANJ maintains an active blacklist that search engines must respect, while influencers promoting these sites face severe penalties. The security of your data and the legality of your bets are only guaranteed on licensed operators.

Identifying mirror sites and illegal offers

A mirror site is an exact copy of a gaming platform, created specifically to evade the administrative block imposed by the regulatory authority. The only tangible difference from the original blocked site lies in its unique URL address, although the content and features remain identical. These clones form the core of the illegal online offer, operating without a French license and therefore without any obligation to comply with player protection or anti-money laundering standards.

The ANJ acts directly against these infrastructures by ordering search engines to systematically de-index these illicit URLs. This relationship between the regulator and search engines is crucial: it aims to cut off the visibility of the illegal offer at its source. For example, the Polymarket platform, specializing in prediction markets, was explicitly blocked by the ANJ for non-compliance, illustrating the authority's capacity to target major international actors attempting to operate on French territory without authorization.

The role of influencers in illegal promotion

Influencers play an ambiguous and dangerous role by actively promoting the illegal offer to a young and vulnerable audience on social media. By praising the merits of unlicensed sites, sometimes filming themselves, they bypass age verification and expose their followers to platforms where majority status is not controlled. This promotion constitutes a serious offense, as it facilitates access to gambling and games of chance prohibited in France.

The ANJ has strengthened its fight by including these promoters in its formal notices. If an influencer refuses to stop promoting a site on the blacklist, they face the same penalties as the operator itself. Search engines and social platforms are also urged to cooperate to remove these promotional contents, creating a surveillance ecosystem where advertising for illegality quickly becomes invisible and penalized.

Consulting the official ANJ blacklist

The official blacklist is the reference tool for verifying the legality of an operator. It lists all sites that have been subject to an administrative or judicial block by the ANJ. Hundreds of URLs have been blocked via administrative acts, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method against the volatility of mirror sites.

Consult this list before any deposit. Search engines are required to de-index sites on this list, but it is still possible to encounter residual links or influencer promotions. Checking whether a site appears on the ANJ blacklist is the only reliable guarantee to avoid illegal offers and protect your funds from fraudulent operators evading French control.

About this article - Authorship & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst Reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst Last updated: 2026-07-30.

This article on "how to bypass the ANJ administrative block" 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 Gaming 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 (File of Banned Players (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

Is it technically possible to bypass the ANJ administrative block?

It is technically possible to access a blocked site via a VPN or DNS change, but this method is strongly discouraged and ineffective for actually playing. Even if you bypass the ISP filter, the illegal operator will require strict identity verification (KYC) that will reveal your French residence, leading to the immediate freezing of your funds. Additionally, the ANJ (National Gaming Authority) now orders search engines to remove these sites from their results, making them difficult to find without resorting to risky channels.

How to unblock an account or lift an ANJ ban?

To lift a ban, you must submit a written request to the ANJ, which will verify the admissibility of your case before proceeding to remove you from the registry. If your request is accepted, the authority will immediately lift the registration and you will receive an official notification by postal mail. This procedure applies to voluntary or administrative registrations, but does not allow you to play on sites operating without a French license.

What is the duration and procedure for the administrative block?

The administrative block is an expedited procedure introduced by recent legislative changes that replaces the previous lengthy judicial process. The ANJ first issues a formal notice to the illegal operator and its intermediaries (hosting providers, advertisers) to cease operations, giving them a 5-day deadline to submit their observations. In case of inaction, the authority orders ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to block access to the site and search engines to remove it from their results.

Why is my access to a gaming site blocked by the ANJ?

Your access is blocked because the site is on the blacklist of illegal offers established by the ANJ to protect players and public order. These platforms often offer casino games (slots, roulette) which are strictly prohibited online in France, unlike sports betting and poker. The illegal offering also exposes users to major risks such as money laundering, fraud, and a lack of addiction protection.

How can I tell if I am registered with the ANJ or banned from gambling?

You can check your status by consulting the Gambling Ban Registry (FIJ) or by contacting the ANJ's ban service directly. This registry centralizes voluntary, judicial, and administrative bans, and any registration prevents access to legally approved sites in France. If you wish to play responsibly, note that licensed operators impose mandatory deposit limits and provide self-exclusion tools.

Do mirror sites allow you to bypass the ANJ block?

Mirror sites are exact copies of the original site with a different URL, created specifically to evade administrative blocking. Although they may work temporarily, the ANJ quickly identifies these new domains and orders ISPs to block them and search engines to remove them from their results. Using a mirror site remains dangerous because the operator remains illegal and guarantees neither the security of your data nor the payment of your winnings.

What are the financial risks of playing on a blocked site?

Playing on a site bypassing the ANJ block exposes you to a total loss of deposited funds, as these operators are not subject to French regulation. In the event of a dispute, you have no recourse with the gaming mediator, and payment providers may be held liable for concealing illicit proceeds if they facilitate these transactions. Furthermore, these illegal platforms are often involved in fraudulent practices such as exploiting vulnerability or manipulating results.