Why online blackjack is banned in France: Law, Risks, and Future

Online blackjack remains illegal in France. The Law of May 12, 2010 limits the legal offer to games of skill like poker and excludes casino games based on pure chance. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) blocks these sites to prevent addiction and money laundering, even though platforms under a Curaçao license try to bypass this rule.

The legal framework: foundations and blocking mechanisms

The Law of May 12, 2010 bans online blackjack by drawing a clear line between games of skill and games of pure chance. This law authorizes poker but bans online casinos. Legislators believe that the latter presents too high an addictive risk for French players without the physical framework of a gambling establishment.

The fundamental distinction between games of skill and games of chance

The legislator has set a precise legal boundary. Poker is authorized because the player's skill influences the results over time, which is not the case for blackjack. Blackjack involves strategy, but it remains classified as a game of chance. The card draw is random and independent of the player's will. This nuance explains the ban on online slots and roulette. These activities are reserved for physical establishments under ministerial supervision.

The role of the ANJ and the Internal Security Code

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) replaced ARJEL on January 1, 2020 to expand regulation to all gambling in France. This independent authority does not just issue licenses. It maintains a blacklist of illegal sites and orders their administrative blocking to protect consumers. This blocking power is based on the Internal Security Code. It allows administrative authorities to compel internet service providers to block access to sites offering unauthorized gambling. The ANJ thus ensures that no operator offers an online casino without a license. It fights against offshore platforms like those in Curaçao.

Legal exceptions: what is authorized in France

Three sectors remain legally accessible: sports betting, horse race betting, and poker. Historical operators like la Française des Jeux or PMU, as well as private players such as Betclic or Winamax, offer these services under the strict control of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). Any other form of online casino remains illegal. It exposes players to financial and addictive risks without any legal recourse.

Public health: gambling addiction as the driver of the ban

The ban on online blackjack is primarily aimed at preventing gambling addiction. The State considers that the speed of the games and the absence of physical limits promote compulsive behavior. This justifies maintaining the ban to protect players' public health.

Specific risks of blackjack and slot machines

Unlike sports betting which imposes a latency period, blackjack and slot machines generate continuous stimulation. Each win activates the brain's reward system with a release of dopamine. This creates an immediate feeling of pleasure that encourages repetition. Dr. Céline Bonnaire emphasizes that 24/7 accessibility and the ability to play at multiple tables simultaneously exacerbate this danger. This scenario is impossible in a physical establishment. These games of pure chance therefore present a proven risk of addiction far higher than other forms of betting.

Protection mechanisms set up by the State

On the regulated market, responsible gambling is framed by strict obligations that illegal sites ignore. Voluntary self-exclusion allows individuals to block their own access to licensed platforms. This is an essential protective mechanism absent from offshore operators. In addition, mandatory deposit limits and play time alerts constitute technical barriers against excess. Conversely, unauthorized casinos offer neither self-exclusion nor legal recourse in the event of a dispute. They expose players to major financial and psychological risks.

The opinion of experts and specialized doctors

Health professionals, including Dr. Céline Bonnaire, regularly warn about the intrinsic danger of online casino games. Their medical argument insists that virtualization removes temporal and spatial references, making it easier to lose control. For these experts, the current ban on online blackjack and slot machines remains a necessary public health measure. It will remain so as long as technical safeguards as robust as those in the physical sector are not guaranteed.

The illegal market: Curaçao licenses, VPNs, and financial risks

The illegal online blackjack market exposes players to major risks. Players turn to offshore operators, such as those licensed in Curaçao, or use a VPN to bypass blockages. This practice exposes them to major risks of money laundering, cybercrime, and total financial loss, without any legal protection from the ANJ.

Bypassing via offshore licenses (Curaçao, Malta)

Many platforms, such as MyStake, operate illegally by relying on permissive jurisdictions. Curaçao, a Caribbean island, issues licenses that provide an appearance of legality without imposing the strict standards of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). These sites often display the mention "regulated by the laws of Curaçao" to reassure users, thereby masking their illegality on French territory.

Unlike licensed operators in France, these offshore casinos are not subject to player protection obligations, such as deposit limits or the ban on minors. MyStake and other similar players take advantage of this regulatory vacuum to offer blackjack, a game that is nevertheless banned online in France. This lack of local supervision means that fair gaming mechanisms are not verified by independent bodies recognized in Europe.

VPN usage and its legal limits

To access these blocked sites, some players use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This tool makes it possible to simulate a connection from a country where online casinos are authorized, such as Switzerland or Germany, in order to unblock access to platforms like MyStake. Although technically effective in bypassing geographic restrictions, this method constitutes a violation of the casinos' general terms and conditions of use and a breach of French legislation.

Using a VPN offers no legal security. In the event of a dispute, the player cannot invoke the protection of French consumers. Furthermore, casinos often detect these suspicious connections and can freeze accounts and confiscate winnings without notice. The French Online Gaming Association (AFJL) points out that bypassing blockages exposes players to direct financial risks, as no French authority can intervene to recover funds.

Concrete dangers for the unprotected player

The lack of regulation exposes players to serious threats, including money laundering and cybercrime. Illegal sites do not guarantee the security of banking data, increasing the risks of identity theft and fraud. Without the strict framework of the ANJ, gaming algorithms are not audited, which can promote unfair practices.

Testimonials of blocked players or withdrawals refused without justification are frequent on these platforms. The Ministry of the Interior and judicial authorities warn against these sites, which sometimes serve as vectors for criminal activities, including money laundering. By playing on these sites, the user implicitly agrees to forfeit all legal recourse, exposing themselves to cybercrime and the total loss of their capital.

Towards legalization? The fiscal and legislative debate

The question of why online blackjack is banned in France is reaching a major turning point with recent budget discussions. This government amendment aims to legalize casino games to capture tax revenues from the black market, while strengthening player protection via the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). Although the ban remains the norm in the short term, this legislative initiative led by the Barnier Government could redefine the French iGaming landscape.

The economic argument: recovering tax revenues

The illegal market represents a colossal loss for public finances. According to a study conducted by the operator Betclic, the legalization of online casinos could generate at least 700 million euros in additional tax revenue for the State. Currently, offshore platforms completely escape French gambling taxation, depriving the national budget of crucial resources to absorb public debt.

By authorizing these games, the goal is not only to regulate, but to transform an underground financial flow into official revenue. Bercy identifies this opening as a strategic budgetary lever, allowing the taxation of an activity that already constitutes half of the illicit online offer.

The position of the AFJL and licensed operators

The French Online Gaming Association (AFJL) actively supports this legislative development. For legal players, regulation offers an opportunity to compete with foreign sites that attract players with aggressive bonuses and a lack of betting limits. The AFJL argues that a clear legal framework would better protect consumers while ensuring market fairness.

Licensed operators, already subject to the strict controls of the ANJ for sports betting and poker, are ready to integrate blackjack under supervision. This position aligns with the Barnier Government's amendment, which seeks to supplant the illegal offer with a secure and taxable alternative.

Remaining political and health obstacles

Despite the economic arguments, caution remains the rule. The ANJ remains open to reflection but demands solid measures to limit the risks of addiction, inherent in the speed of casino games like roulette or blackjack. Public health constitutes the main political brake on total liberalization.

The debate thus pits the budgetary imperative against player protection issues. Until robust technical guarantees are validated, the ban will persist, reminding us that legalization is not a simple administrative formality but a delicate balance between economic freedom and health safety.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

✍️ Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst
🛡️ Verified by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst
📅 Last updated: 2026-07-31.

This article on "why online blackjack is banned in France" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory changes, licenses, and bonus conditions. 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 testing casinos, 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 measures.

Responsible gambling

Gambling can become addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs or use the national self-exclusion register (gambling bans file (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are levers for sustainable pleasure.

Legal disclaimer

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 rules.