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How to bypass the ANJ block: Legal guide and risk analysis

To regain access to online games, the only safe route is to wait for the legal lifting of a voluntary ban after three years or to limit yourself to licensed sites. Attempting to bypass this block via a VPN or unregulated sites exposes you to concrete dangers: document fraud, confiscation of winnings, and a complete lack of legal protection. No technical trick guarantees the safety of your money on a blacklisted platform.

Understanding administrative blocking and illegal offers

The block is not a computer bug, but a strict legal measure. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to enforce this restriction to protect players from illegal offers. This procedure, accelerated by the law of March 2, 2022, isolates unlicensed sites in France. Direct access becomes impossible without specific tools, exposing users to significant financial risks.

Mechanisms for blocking illicit URLs

The ANJ uses its powers strengthened by the law of March 2, 2022, to order the immediate blocking of illicit URLs. Unlike lengthy old judicial procedures, this administrative mechanism forces ISPs to filter access via DNS and demands delisting by search engines. This method has successfully blocked a significant number of URLs recently, demonstrating its rapid effectiveness against illegal offers attempting to establish themselves in the country.

Obsolescence of mirror sites

A mirror site is an exact copy of an already banned platform. It has a different URL but hosts the same illicit content. The ANJ quickly identifies these clones using automated tools and immediately adds them to its blacklist. This responsiveness makes using mirrors obsolete and risky. They are subject to the same administrative block as the original site and offer no additional security to players. Accessing these sites constitutes a violation of French market access rules.

To verify a site's legality, consult the ANJ's official blacklist published on its website. This list includes all sites that have been administratively or judicially blocked. It allows users to confirm a platform's legal status before making any deposits. It is essential to cross-reference this information with warnings from Joueurs Info Service. Playing on a blacklisted site exposes you to a lack of legal and financial protection. Access to these sites remains prohibited by French law.

The real risks of technical bypassing

Bypassing the block is technically possible with a VPN, but financially perilous. The tool masks your IP address, but it protects neither your funds from confiscation nor your personal data from phishing. The absence of a French legal framework exposes players to major risks of document fraud and banking insecurity. Any potential win becomes illusory.

Legitimacy and limits of VPNs

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is legal in itself. This IT security tool encrypts connections to protect privacy. However, using it to access an illegal offer constitutes a major contractual breach. Although the ANJ administratively blocks unlicensed URLs, a player who forces access faces immediate account closure without notice. A VPN offers no legal guarantee. It only tricks initial geolocation, it does not secure future transactions.

Absence of legal recourse

Playing outside the ANJ's jurisdiction means waiving all legal protection. In case of a dispute, no recourse is possible with French authorities. The player remains vulnerable to offshore operators. This lawless zone facilitates money laundering and heavily exposes users to phishing, as these platforms do not comply with the strict IT security standards mandated in France. Your banking data may be compromised. Traditional payment methods like Neteller can themselves block suspicious transactions to unlicensed entities.

Document fraud and confiscation of winnings

The ultimate risk lies in document fraud. During withdrawal requests, unregulated sites often demand identification documents that they may use for malicious purposes or refuse payment under false pretenses. If the operator detects an inconsistency between your real location and the one simulated by the VPN, it may invoke this document fraud to completely confiscate your winnings. Unlike licensed operators, these entities have no transparency obligations. Every potential win then turns into a total loss.

Technical alternatives and security limits

No technical solution offers complete legal or financial security on illegal offers. Tools like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or Proxy servers mask site access but do not protect your funds or identity during withdrawals. True security lies in respecting the legal framework. Evasion methods expose you to confiscation of winnings and a lack of recourse in case of disputes.

Limited effectiveness of DNS encryption

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) encrypt name resolution queries. This prevents your ISP from intercepting blocked domains. Services like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare infrastructure are often cited for their speed, but they do not bypass the deep IP blocks imposed by the ANJ. Facing these blocks, this effectiveness remains limited because the IP addresses of illegal servers are directly blacklisted at the network level. DNS encryption is insufficient to restore access. A proxy can route traffic through another location, but it does not modify the browser's digital fingerprint. Detectable traces remain for operators' anti-fraud systems.

Inadequacy of the Tor Browser

The Tor Browser anonymizes traffic by routing it through multiple nodes. This generates high latency incompatible with real-time gaming. Furthermore, gaming platforms systematically identify and ban Tor exit IP addresses to prevent money laundering and fraud. This automatic detection makes using Tor not only ineffective for playing but also suspicious to compliance services.

Failure of proxies regarding KYC

Using Proxy servers masks the IP address during registration, but does not solve the crucial issue of identity verification (KYC) required for withdrawals. If the provided documents (ID, proof of address) do not match the real location or show inconsistencies with the banking history, the operator will freeze the funds. The proxy offers an illusion of anonymity that collapses at the first withdrawal request.

The legal path: Lifting bans and responsible gaming

No technical method guarantees security on illegal offers. The only safe approach in 2026 relies on regularizing your status through voluntary gaming bans or exclusively choosing licensed gaming operators. These legal platforms offer complete legal protection, unlike offshore sites where your funds are exposed. Prioritizing legality helps avoid risks of fraud and unregulated addiction.

Procedure for lifting a voluntary ban

The voluntary gaming ban is a strict personal protection measure managed by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). To regain access to legal sites, you must observe a minimum waiting period of three years after your initial registration. The procedure is now carried out via the ANJ's dedicated portal. You will need to upload a front-and-back copy of a valid ID (national ID card, passport, or driver's license). Once the file is verified, the ANJ processes the lift and notifies you by mail. This administrative rigor aims to prevent relapses related to gambling addiction by imposing a mandatory reflection period.

Role of Joueurs Info Service and CSAPA

Rather than seeking risky technical loopholes, turn to licensed Gaming Operators that offer sports betting, poker, and lotteries in a secure environment. These sites comply with Law No. 2010-476 and guarantee winnings payments as well as personal data protection. If you feel a loss of control, organizations like Joueurs Info Service provide anonymous listening and specialized advice to manage your habits. Similarly, CSAPAs (Care, Support, and Prevention Centers for Addictions) form an essential medical network for in-depth psychological support. Choosing these legal alternatives eliminates the risk of having your accounts blocked without recourse.

Secure payment management

On regulated platforms, financial management is transparent and secure. Using recognized payment methods like Paysafecard or Neteller is fully compatible with ANJ requirements. Neteller can block transactions to unlicensed operators, thus protecting users from losses on illegal sites. It rather serves as a budget management tool on authorized sites. Paysafecard, for its part, allows limited anonymous deposits, helping to adhere to the betting limits you have set. By staying within the legal circuit, you avoid the document fraud often demanded by offshore operators during withdrawals, thereby protecting your identity and capital.

About this article - Authorship & liability

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst Reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst Last updated: 2026-08-06.

This article on "how to safely bypass the ANJ 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 (gambling ban file (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are key drivers of 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

How can I access online games without risking my funds?
The only safe method is to lift an expired voluntary ban or to play exclusively on licensed operators. Using techniques like VPNs exposes your winnings to confiscation and your data to fraud, as these sites operate outside the French legal framework.
Is using a VPN for gaming legal?
No, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access an illegal offer constitutes a violation of the terms of use and exposes the player to major legal and financial risks. Although the VPN changes your IP address, it does not protect you from fund seizure by unregulated operators.
What are the dangers of mirror sites?
Playing on a mirror site carries a high risk of phishing and non-payment of winnings. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) regularly orders ISPs to block these URLs, and the operators behind these mirrors offer no legal guarantees.
Can I withdraw my money from a blocked site?
It is extremely difficult to recover funds on a site listed on the ANJ blacklist, as payment providers are required to cease their services. Offshore bookmakers often accept deposits but block withdrawals as soon as they detect a French origin.
What is the difference between an administrative block and a voluntary ban?
An administrative block is a technical measure imposed by the ANJ on internet service providers to prevent access to illegal sites, while a voluntary ban is a personal protective measure against addiction that prohibits access to licensed sites for a minimum of three years.