ANJ vs Bitcoin Casino: Legality, Risks and Reality in France

The difference between the ANJ and bitcoin casino legality France is clear. The ANJ does not license any online casino offering slots or roulette, whether they use Bitcoin or not. Only poker, sports betting, and horse racing betting are legal. Bitcoin casinos operate in a grey area via foreign licenses such as Curaçao's. This situation exposes players to a lack of legal recourse and financial risks, despite simple technical accessibility.

The French legal framework: why the ANJ bans online casinos

The difference between the ANJ and bitcoin casino legality France comes down to a specific distinction. Regulation focuses on the type of game, not the currency used. In France, only sports betting, horse racing betting, and online Poker are permitted under strict licensing. Games of pure chance like Slots or Roulette remain banned online, regardless of the blockchain technology used. The ANJ penalizes any non-compliant offering, making offshore crypto casinos illegal for French residents.

From ARJEL to ANJ: evolution of the French regulator

Gambling governance in France changed with the transition from the Online Gaming Regulatory Authority (ARJEL) to the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). This transition was implemented via the PACTE Ordinance (No. 2019-1015 of October 2, 2019), which expanded the scope of supervision beyond just the online sector. The PACTE Ordinance transformed the former regulator into an independent administrative authority with enhanced powers. It now covers all gambling and games of chance, including land-based establishments and Française des Jeux.

The ANJ thus ensures unified regulation. It supervises both licensed private operators and the State monopoly. This consolidation allows for more rigorous enforcement of sanctions against illegal sites and better protection for players against the risks of addiction. The PACTE Ordinance served as a legal lever to modernize a framework created by the 2010 law, adapting supervision to the contemporary challenges of the digital market.

Games of skill vs games of chance: the legal boundary

Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010 establishes a clear boundary between games of skill and games of pure chance. This legislation specifically authorizes online Poker. It is considered a game where the player's skill significantly influences the outcome, unlike traditional casino games. In contrast, Slots and Roulette are classified as games of chance against the house. The player has no room for strategic maneuver. Consequently, the latter remain strictly prohibited online in France.

This distinction explains why no ANJ license can be issued for a site offering online Roulette or slots. Even if a casino uses cryptocurrencies or complex algorithms, the random nature of the game prevails in the eyes of French law. Online Poker benefits from an exemption because it allows competition between players rather than against the operator. This reduces the manipulation risks inherent in Slots.

The State monopoly and legal exceptions

The French legal landscape is based on a mixed system combining State monopoly and regulated competition. Only operators that have obtained an ANJ license can operate legally. This includes players like Betclic or Winamax for online Poker and betting, as well as Française des Jeux (FDJ) for certain products under exclusive rights. No private operator can legally offer online Slots or Roulette. These activities remain confined to authorized land-based establishments.

The ANJ maintains a blacklist of unlicensed sites. It cooperates with internet service providers to block access to illegal platforms. This vigilance also extends to advertising, with heavy penalties against influencers promoting online casino offers that do not comply with Law No. 2010-476. For players, using payment methods like Skrill or Neteller on licensed sites guarantees financial traceability that is absent from offshore crypto circuits.

Player protection: the mechanisms missing from crypto casinos

Beyond the simple legality of the games, the major difference between an ANJ-licensed operator and a Bitcoin casino lies in the social and psychological protection of the player. In France, regulation does not just authorize or prohibit. It imposes a strict framework for preventing addiction and securing funds. These protections, guaranteed by law, are systematically absent from offshore platforms. This creates a dangerous void for cryptocurrency users.

Voluntary gambling ban and the centralized database

The cornerstone of public health policy regarding gambling in France is the Voluntary Gambling Ban. This system allows any individual to request their exclusion from all licensed gambling operators (online and land-based) for a specified or indefinite period. This request is recorded in a centralized database managed by the ANJ. All legal operators must connect to this database to verify their customers' eligibility.

On Bitcoin casinos, this safety feature does not exist. No platform operating under a Curaçao or Anjouan license is connected to the national registry of self-excluded players. A player suffering from addiction can therefore continue to play without any technical or administrative barriers, even if they have previously requested an exclusion from the French authorities. The absence of this institutional safety net turns leisure into a major health hazard, with no recourse for the player or their relatives.

The role of the Joueurs Info Service Portal

Prevention also involves information and support. In France, the Joueurs Info Service Portal is the benchmark public resource for prevention, information, and directing players to specialized support organizations. The ANJ requires licensed operators to clearly display links to this portal. They must also integrate deposit and bet limit tools directly into the gaming interface.

Crypto casinos, operating outside French jurisdiction, completely ignore these obligations. Their interfaces are often designed to encourage compulsive gambling through aggressive bonuses, unlimited free spins, and gamification mechanics that stimulate dopamine without reminding players of the risks. The total absence of a link to the Joueurs Info Service Portal means that a player isolated on a Bitcoin platform receives no preventive alerts or offers of help. This significantly increases the risk of addictive behavior.

Segregation of funds and financial security

Protecting player funds is another strict legal requirement in France. ANJ-licensed operators are required to segregate player funds from their own corporate treasury. This means that money deposited by customers is kept in separate bank accounts, protected in the event of the operator's bankruptcy.

Conversely, Bitcoin casinos offer no guarantee of fund segregation. Cryptocurrency deposits are often mixed with the platform's operational treasury or used to finance other activities. In the event of bankruptcy, a hack, or a unilateral decision by the operator to freeze accounts, the player has no way to recover their assets. The irreversible nature of blockchain transactions worsens this risk. Once funds are sent, they are lost if the operator refuses to return them, as no banking or judicial authority can intervene to cancel the transaction.

Bitcoin casino and offshore licenses: understanding the grey area

The difference between the ANJ and bitcoin casino legality France lies in the total lack of legal recognition of crypto operators by the French regulator. A Bitcoin Casino operating under a foreign license remains illegal in the territory. This creates a grey area where the player is not penalized, but the operator faces immediate administrative blocking.

Why Bitcoin casinos are not regulated by the ANJ

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) does not issue any licenses for online casino games, whether they use the Blockchain or not. The French legal scope is strictly limited to sports betting, horse racing betting, and poker. Consequently, the use of Bitcoin as a payment method is not an eligibility criterion, but rather a marker of out-of-jurisdiction operations. These sites target French residents because it is technically complex for the authorities to trace and block all cryptographic transactions, unlike traditional banking flows.

This situation places players in a regulatory impasse. If a site claims to be licensed by the ANJ to offer slots or roulette, this claim is false. The ANJ regularly publishes lists of illegal sites and orders their DNS blocking by internet service providers. Between March 2022 and October 2024, more than 2,300 URL addresses of offshore casinos were identified and blocked. While Bitcoin's decentralized technology allows for fast transfers, it offers no guarantee of legal recourse in the event of a dispute. The operator is not subject to any player protection obligations imposed by the French law of 2010.

Curaçao and Anjouan licenses: real value for the player

Most crypto platforms operate under offshore licenses, mainly the Curaçao License issued by Curacao eGaming, or the Anjouan License. It must be understood that these authorizations have no legal value in France. They allow the operator to exist legally in its country of registration, but they do not replace the ANJ license.

Curaçao License: Highly widespread among Bitcoin Casinos, it offers a flexible operational framework but limited supervision. Entities like Lucki.Casino often operate under this regime, which places them in the offshore category without robust European protection. Anjouan License: An emerging alternative for sites like MadCasino, offering a similarity in terms of low regulatory constraints regarding prohibited markets. Malta Gaming Authority (MGA): Although stricter, the MGA generally refuses purely crypto operators targeting markets where their offering is illegal, leaving the field open to less stringent jurisdictions.

For the French player, holding a Curaçao License or an Anjouan License means that in the event of non-payment of winnings, no French court will be able to compel the operator to settle its debt. The grey area benefits the operator exclusively here, as it captures the wager without bearing French compliance costs.

Blockchain technology and gaming transparency

Faced with the absence of state regulation, some Bitcoin Casinos highlight Blockchain technology and Smart contracts to prove the fairness of their games via "Provably Fair" systems. This technical approach allows players to mathematically verify that the result of a draw has not been manipulated after the bet. It offers a level of transparency that traditional RNG audits do not always guarantee in real time.

However, this algorithmic transparency does not compensate for the absence of legal protection. A Smart contract can ensure the integrity of the code, but it cannot force a refund in the event of the platform's bankruptcy or manage game exclusions for addiction. Furthermore, an RTP (Return to Player) verifiable on-chain does not exempt the operator from its tax and legal obligations to the French State. In short, while the Blockchain provides technical proof of fairness, it does not replace the legal security offered by a national license. The player remains alone in the face of financial and addictive risks.

Major risks: what you lose by playing outside the ANJ

The difference between the ANJ and bitcoin casino legality France is not just a simple ban. It constitutes a total legal vacuum for the player. By choosing an unlicensed operator, you voluntarily waive the protection of the French State. Concretely, this means that in the event of a financial dispute or account blocking, no national authority can intervene to recover your funds. You are exposed to Cybercrime risks and a total lack of legal recourse.

Lack of recourse and protection of funds

When an offshore site like MadCasino or Lucki.Casino refuses to honor a withdrawal, the player finds themselves in a legal impasse. Unlike licensed operators, these platforms are not subject to any obligation to segregate customer funds or to regular auditing by the ANJ (National Gaming Authority). If the operator goes bankrupt or unilaterally decides to confiscate your balance for opaque reasons, the Judicial Court of Paris generally has no jurisdiction over these anonymous entities based outside the European Union.

This asymmetry is fundamental. Although the player is not criminally prosecuted for playing on an illegal site, they lose all capacity to petition the French regulator. The ANJ can neither order a refund nor compel the operator to respect its contractual commitments. Furthermore, the games offered under these weak licenses do not guarantee return to player (RTP) rates verified by independent laboratories. This increases the risk of algorithmic manipulation.

Money laundering and KYC compliance

The lack of strict KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures on crypto casinos directly exposes the player to serious legal risks. KYC (Know Your Customer) is a mandatory system that allows verifying the identity of users to prevent fraud. Its absence on offshore sites facilitates the theft of personal data and its resale on the dark web, fueling Cybercrime.

Even more worrying, playing on unregulated platforms exposes you to the radar of Tracfin, the national financial intelligence and analysis service. Without official traceability of flows, your transactions can be treated as money laundering attempts during a tax or bank audit. Furthermore, the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies attracts the attention of the AMF (Financial Markets Authority). Although the AMF (Financial Markets Authority) does not regulate gambling, it monitors digital assets. Converting winnings from an illegal activity into euros without clear proof can trigger investigations for unexplained income sources. The illegality of the site does not exempt you from declaring your capital gains.

Enforcement: how the ANJ blocks illegal sites

The difference between the ANJ and bitcoin casino legality France lies in the strict application of administrative blocking. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) identifies unlicensed operators, publishes an ANJ Blacklist, and orders internet service providers (ISPs) to activate DNS Blocking. This technical measure, supported by ARCOM, makes the sites inaccessible from French territory. Crypto casinos constantly attempt to bypass these restrictions via mirror domains.

The mechanism of administrative and DNS blocking

DNS Blocking is the main tool of digital censorship deployed by the State. Technically, it does not delete the target site but prevents the resolution of its domain name to its IP address for French users. This system is based on the Internal Security Code, which grants the ANJ the power to obtain blocking decisions without systematically going through a judge. This accelerates the reaction to illegal offers.

The effectiveness of this measure relies on the mandatory cooperation of ISPs and the assistance of ARCOM. Between March 2022 and October 2024, the ANJ issued 506 administrative decisions targeting more than 2,300 offshore casino URLs. However, DNS Blocking has a structural limit. It can be bypassed by tech-savvy users using alternative DNS or VPNs. In addition, Bitcoin casinos exploit this loophole by frequently changing domain names. The regulator must continuously update the ANJ Blacklist.

It should be noted that the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes also plays an essential role in monitoring illicit financial flows related to unregulated gambling. Although its action is less visible than web blocking, it completes the repressive arsenal by targeting undeclared capital movements to offshore entities. This agency works in coordination with the ANJ and Tracfin to identify suspicious financing schemes. This increases pressure on operators that might evade DNS filtering through the use of cryptocurrencies.

Criminal sanctions and the role of the Ministry of the Interior

Beyond technical blocking, repression is intensifying through criminal law. The Ministry of the Interior coordinates legal actions against promoters of illegal offers, including influencers and streaming platforms. Promoting sites without an ANJ license exposes its authors to severe prosecution. This activity is considered complicity in the operation of an illegal gambling house.

Sanctions are not limited to foreign operators. Advertising intermediaries and French streamers can be subject to convictions handed down by the Judicial Court of Paris, which has jurisdiction over gaming regulation and consumer protection. This court has already ruled on cases involving illegal advertising. It reiterates that the absence of a French license makes any commercial promotion illegal on national soil.

The Judicial Court of Paris also examines appeals against ANJ decisions, ensuring judicial oversight of blocking measures. This dual approach, administrative via the ANJ and judicial via the court, creates a hostile environment for Bitcoin casinos targeting the French market without compliance.

Workarounds and limitations of the blacklist

The ANJ Blacklist is a dynamic but imperfect tool. Blocked sites often reappear under new addresses, creating a game of cat and mouse with the authorities. To check if a site is indeed sanctioned, players must regularly consult the official ANJ portal, where the list is updated in real time.

Despite the vigilance of the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes and the activation of DNS Blocking, the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies allows some operators to maintain a residual presence. However, playing on these sites remains dangerous. In the event of a dispute, no recourse is possible with the ANJ, and the funds committed are exposed to a total risk of loss.

Illegal promotion: the case of streamers and influencers

The difference between the ANJ and bitcoin casino legality France crystallizes around public promotion. While playing on an offshore site is not criminally punishable for the user, its advertising by influencers constitutes a serious offense. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) severely penalizes these practices. Licensed operators like Betclic Poker respect a strict framework prohibited for unregulated crypto casinos.

The repression of the promotion of prohibited games

Streamers, defined here as live content broadcasters on social platforms, are at the heart of a crackdown led by the ANJ. This national authority considers that promoting unlicensed gaming sites exposes vulnerable audiences to major addictive risks. In response, Twitch, the video streaming leader, had to ban promotional content for online casinos. It specifically targets affiliate links displayed in live descriptions.

This measure stems directly from formal notices sent by the French regulator to the main influencers relaying these illegal offers. The legal consequences are heavy. A streamer faces substantial fines, potentially up to four times the advertising expenditure related to the illegal activity. In the most serious cases, this intensive promotion can be qualified as complicity in offering gambling to the public. This is an offense punishable by prison sentences and significant fines. Although the Court of Justice of the European Union has historically protected the freedom to provide services, it also recognizes the leeway of Member States to restrict activities that harm public order and consumer protection. This validates the firm action of the ANJ on French soil.

Case studies: MadCasino and Lucki.Casino

Platforms like MadCasino and Lucki.Casino illustrate the operating model of Bitcoin casinos outside French jurisdiction. MadCasino, often associated with an Anjouan license, and Lucki.Casino, operating under a Curaçao license, bypass DNS blocks imposed by ARCOM by regularly changing domain names or using mirrors. These sites obviously do not appear on the licensing list published by the ANJ. No online casino operator (slots, roulette) can obtain this license in France.

Their strategy relies on the relative anonymity offered by cryptocurrencies and the lack of local control over their algorithms. Unlike legal sites, there is no guarantee that their return to player (RTP) rates are audited by independent laboratories. Players are exposed to potentially rigged games. The Court of Justice of the European Union, however, points out that foreign licenses have no legal value in France if the operator actively targets the French market without being established or licensed there. These structures are therefore completely outlawed in relation to national law.

Comparison with licensed operators (e.g. Betclic)

The fundamental difference lies in legal and financial security. Betclic Poker, holder of a license issued by the ANJ, operates within a transparent framework where player funds are segregated and games are audited. For users wishing to use digital assets, indirect legal methods exist. It is possible to purchase Bitcoin via e-wallets like Skrill, and then convert these assets into euros before depositing them on Betclic Poker.

This method, sometimes called a "fiat-crypto bridge", allows complying with French legality while using cryptocurrencies upstream. Skrill acts here as a licensed payment processor, ensuring that the operator only handles euros in accordance with regulations. Conversely, direct Bitcoin casinos like MadCasino offer no recourse in the event of non-payment of winnings. The ANJ cannot intervene to protect players on illegal sites. Choosing a licensed operator remains the only guarantee against balance confiscation and abusive commercial practices.

Taxation and payments: the economic reality for the player

The difference between the ANJ and bitcoin casino legality France is based on a fundamental distinction between the ban on online games of chance and the strict regulation of payment methods. While no licensed operator accepts direct deposits in digital assets, the use of e-wallets allows a technical bridge to the euro. This nuance is important to understand that legality does not depend solely on the license, but also on financial traceability and compliance with tax obligations related to crypto capital gains.

Taxation of winnings: legal vs offshore

In France, winnings from games authorized by the ANJ (National Gaming Authority), such as sports betting or lotteries managed by the FDJ (Française des Jeux), are exempt from income tax. This exemption applies because the State considers these revenues as non-professional random gains. However, the situation differs radically for players using offshore platforms or unregulated Bitcoin casinos. Although the player is not criminally prosecuted for playing on a prohibited site, they lose all legal protection in the event of a dispute.

More insidious is the tax risk linked to the very nature of the asset used. Cryptocurrency, defined as a digital asset subject to the regime of digital asset service providers (DASP/PSAN), implies a declaration obligation for any transaction. If a player realizes a capital gain between the purchase of their bitcoins and their final conversion into euros during a withdrawal, this capital gain is theoretically subject to the flat tax of 30%, regardless of the gaming origin of the funds. Thus, while FDJ (Française des Jeux) winnings remain tax-free, cash movements via Bitcoin can generate a hidden tax on price variation. This is an angle often ignored by users of offshore sites.

The Crypto-Euro bridge: using Skrill and Neteller

No site licensed by the ANJ accepts direct deposits in BTC, ETH, or USDT. To bypass this technical limitation while remaining within a secure framework, players use e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. These e-wallets act as an essential "crypto-euro bridge". They allow converting digital assets into fiat currency before the funds reach the gaming operator.

Skrill enables this transfer to platforms like Betclic Poker, which integrates these methods to facilitate withdrawals with fast processing times. Similarly, Neteller offers a similar functionality, serving as a conversion interface for players wishing to access legal games without directly exposing their private keys to the operator. This triangular relationship, where Cryptocurrency is converted by Skrill or Neteller before funding an authorized gaming account, constitutes the only technically compliant way to use funds of cryptographic origin in the regulated French market. This method does not make the online casino legal if the game offered (such as slots) is prohibited, but it secures the financial transaction itself.

Volatility and RTP: impacts on the bankroll

The volatility inherent in Cryptocurrency directly affects the real value of winnings, independently of the RTP (Return to Player) displayed by the game. The RTP (Return to Player), which represents the theoretical percentage of wagers redistributed to players in the long run, is calculated in euros on licensed sites. On offshore platforms accepting Bitcoin, an RTP of 96% can become illusory if the value of the asset drops by 10% during the gaming session.

Unlike FDJ (Française des Jeux) games where the bet value is stable, the Bitcoin player undergoes double variance: that of the game and that of the market. This instability makes bankroll management much more complex. Furthermore, the absence of ANJ control on these sites means that the announced RTP (Return to Player) is not verified by independent audits mandatory in France. The player therefore runs the risk that the algorithm does not respect fairness standards, while seeing their capital eroded by fluctuations in the Bitcoin exchange rate. This is a non-existent risk with sports betting or national lotteries denominated in euros.

About this article - Authorship & responsibility

Sarah Weber
Author - Casino tester & bonus analyst

Dr. Markus Hoffmann
Verified by - Senior iGaming compliance analyst

Last updated: 2026-08-06.

This article on "difference between ANJ and bitcoin casino legality 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 point 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, wager analysis, player protection systems.

Responsible gaming

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

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.