How to bypass ANJ blocking: Legal guide and risk analysis

To access online games again, the only safe way 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 total lack of legal protection. No technical trick guarantees the safety of your money on a blacklisted platform.

Understanding administrative blocking and illegal offerings

The block is not a computer bug, but a strict legal measure. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) obliges Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to apply this restriction to protect players against illegal offerings. This procedure, accelerated by the law of March 2, 2022, isolates unlicensed sites in France. Direct access to them becomes impossible without specific tools, which exposes the user to major financial risks.

Mechanisms for blocking illicit URLs

The ANJ uses its powers, reinforced by the law of March 2, 2022, to order the immediate blocking of illicit URLs. Unlike the former, lengthy legal procedures, this administrative mechanism forces ISPs to filter access via DNS and requires de-indexing by search engines. This method has recently blocked a significant number of URLs, demonstrating its rapid effectiveness against illegal offerings attempting to establish themselves in the territory.

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 the use of mirrors obsolete and risky. They are subject to the same administrative blocking as the original site and offer no additional security to players. Accessing these sites constitutes a violation of the rules for accessing the French market.

Verifying the legal status of a platform

To verify the legality of a site, consult the ANJ blacklist officially published on its website. This list registers all sites that have been subject to an administrative or judicial block. It allows users to confirm the legal status of a platform before making any deposit. It is imperative 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 the player to major risks of document fraud and banking insecurity. Any win potentially becomes illusory.

Legitimacy and limits of VPNs

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is legal in itself. This computer security tool encrypts connections to protect privacy. However, using it to access an illegal offering constitutes a major contract violation. Although the ANJ administratively blocks unlicensed URLs, players who force access expose themselves to the immediate closure of their account without notice. The VPN offers no legal guarantee. It only serves to spoof the initial geolocation, not to secure future transactions.

Lack of legal recourse

Playing outside the ANJ's scope means giving up all legal protection. In the event of a dispute, no recourse is possible with the French authorities. The player remains vulnerable to offshore operators. This lawless zone promotes money laundering and highly exposes players to phishing, as these platforms do not comply with the strict computer security standards imposed in France. Your banking data could be compromised. Traditional payment methods like Neteller may themselves block suspicious transactions to unlicensed entities.

Document fraud and confiscation of winnings

The ultimate risk lies in document fraud. When requesting a withdrawal, unregulated sites often require identity documents which they may use for malicious purposes or refuse payment under false pretences. If the operator detects a discrepancy between your actual location and the one simulated by the VPN, they can invoke this document fraud to completely confiscate your winnings. Unlike licensed operators, these entities have no obligation of transparency. Each potential win then turns into a complete loss.

Technical alternatives and security limits

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

Limited effectiveness of DNS encryption

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) encrypt name resolution requests. This prevents your ISP from intercepting blocked domains. Services like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare infrastructures are often cited for their speed, but they do not bypass the deep IP blocks imposed by the ANJ. Faced with 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 change the browser's digital fingerprints. Detectable traces remain for operators' anti-fraud systems.

Inadequacy of the Tor Browser

The Tor Browser anonymizes traffic by bouncing it across 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 in the eyes of compliance services.

Failure of proxies against KYC

The use of proxy servers (Proxy) masks the IP address during registration, but does not solve the crucial problem of identity verification (KYC) required for withdrawals. If the documents provided (identity document, proof of address) do not match the actual location or show inconsistencies with the banking history, the operator blocks the funds. The proxy offers an illusion of anonymity that collapses at the first request to withdraw money.

The legal path: Lifting bans and responsible gaming

No technical method guarantees security on an illegal offering. The only safe approach in 2026 is based on regularizing your status through voluntary self-exclusion or the exclusive choice of licensed gaming operators. These legal platforms offer total legal protection, unlike offshore sites where your funds are exposed. Prioritizing legality helps avoid the risks of fraud and unmanaged addiction.

Voluntary self-exclusion lifting procedure

Voluntary self-exclusion is a strict personal protection measure, managed by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). To regain access to legal sites, you must respect a minimum period of three years after your initial registration. The procedure is now carried out via the dedicated ANJ portal. You will need to upload a double-sided copy of a valid identity document (national ID card, passport, or driver's license). Once the file is verified, the ANJ lifts the ban 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 looking for risky technical loopholes, turn to licensed gaming operators who offer sports betting, poker, and loteries in a secure framework. These sites comply with Law No. 2010-476 and guarantee the payment of winnings as well as the protection of personal data. If you feel a loss of control, organizations like Joueurs Info Service offer anonymous support and specialized advice to manage your gaming. Similarly, CSAPA (Centers for Care, Support, and Prevention in Addiction) constitute an essential medical network for in-depth psychological support. Choosing these legal alternatives eliminates the risk of having your accounts blocked without any possible recourse.

Secure payment management

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

About this article - Writing & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

Verified by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst

Last updated: 2026-08-07.

This article on “how to bypass ANJ blocking safely” was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory changes, licensing, 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 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 licensed operators under the French ANJ framework. PhD in economic mathematics. Fields: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, player protection measures.

Responsible gaming

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

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 regulations.