Bypassing the ANJ block: methods, risks, and technical reality

It is technically possible to bypass the ANJ block by using a VPN or by changing your DNS servers. But this maneuver exposes the player to heavy financial and legal risks. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) forces internet service providers (ISPs) to cut off access to unlicensed operators to protect users. These technical tricks allow you to reach the sites, but they offer no protection in the event of a scam, refusal of payment, or data theft.

Warning: This article is purely informative and technical. It does not encourage you to play on illegal sites. Gambling involves risks: debt, isolation, addiction. For help, call 09 74 75 13 13 (non-premium rate call).

Understanding the mechanism of ANJ administrative blocking

The ANJ blocking is a protective measure imposed by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) on Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This restriction targets platforms operating without a French license. It aims to remove these sites from players' sight to prevent financial risks and addiction, in accordance with the Law of March 2, 2022.

Why is my betting site blocked?

An online gambling site is blocked when it is identified as illegal. This means it offers betting or casino games without the mandatory license issued by the ANJ in France. These illegal sites appear on the official "blacklist". This is a database maintained by the regulator that lists operators not complying with national law. Without this French license, the operator is not subject to player protection obligations, such as deposit limits or monitoring excessive gambling. Users then expose themselves to major risks of fraud and non-payment of winnings.

The role of the Law of March 2, 2022

The Law of March 2, 2022 modified the legal arsenal against illegal offerings. It transferred the power of blocking from the judicial judge to the president of the ANJ. Before this reform, the procedure was slow and required bringing the case before the Judicial Court of Paris. Currently, administrative blocking allows a fast response to the proliferation of illegal sites and their mirrors. This legislative evolution authorizes the Authority to directly order ISPs to block access to URLs and search engines to de-index them. In 2024, this efficiency translated into 232 blocking orders targeting 1,337 URLs. The ANJ is thus adapting to the speed of the digital age.

How to know if a site is blocked by the ANJ?

To check if a platform is subject to a restriction, consult the blacklist published monthly on the official ANJ website. This list, although not exhaustive, references illegal sites that have been subject to an administrative or judicial block. Warning: a site absent from this list is not necessarily authorized. Only operators appearing on the whitelist of sites approved by the ANJ offer a legal guarantee and recourse in the event of a dispute. Players must systematically cross-reference the site's URL with official registries before making any money deposit.

Technical methods to bypass the block

Filtering relies mainly on IP address and name resolution. Players often modify their Domain Name System (DNS) or use an encrypted tunnel to mask their real location. Although technically feasible, this approach exposes players to major financial risks, as it bypasses French legal protections.

Using a VPN to access blocked sites

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure tunnel between your device and a remote server. It thus masks your real IP address. By connecting via a server located abroad, you bypass the geographical filtering imposed by French ISPs. This method does not guarantee the security of funds deposited on platforms not regulated by the ANJ.

Change DNS to access gaming sites?

DNS Blocking is the most common method used by ISPs to restrict access to illegal URLs. By modifying your Domain Name System (DNS) settings, you can replace those of your operator with public alternatives like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google Public DNS. These services resolve domain names without applying local blacklists, sometimes allowing access to mirror sites. However, this solution remains vulnerable if the ISP uses deep packet inspection.

Bypassing ANJ blocking without VPN: proxies

Web proxies act as intermediaries to mask the initial request. They offer an alternative to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) without software installation. Although they can bypass a simple DNS Blocking, they are often less stable and do not offer the same level of encryption. Using Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google Public DNS generally remains more reliable for name resolution. None of these methods protect against fraud or non-payment of winnings on illegal sites.

Mirror sites and operators' evasion strategies

Mirror sites use a new domain name to replace a blacklisted IP address or URL. This strategy allows operators to maintain access to online gambling despite French injunctions. This creates a constant cycle of blocking and technical recreation.

What is a mirror site to bypass blocking?

A mirror site is an exact copy of the original site hosted on a new domain name to avoid the blacklist. According to the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), the only distinguishing element between the initial blocked site and its clone lies in the unique URL address. A large part of the blocked URLs specifically concerned these mirror sites, allowing operators to maintain access.

These duplicates retain the graphics, logo, and name of the illegal operator to deceive the vigilance of players. This surface similarity masks a different technical reality: each mirror has its own server infrastructure. For players, identifying these clones is crucial because they do not benefit from any legal protection. The absence of French regulation means that in the event of a dispute over a withdrawal or fraud, no recourse is possible with national authorities.

The role of foreign licenses (Curacao and Malta)

Operators rely on jurisdictions like Curacao or Malta to operate outside the French legal framework while remaining accessible. The Curacao license eGaming is particularly popular for mirror sites because it offers a low barrier to entry and minimal supervision compared to strict European standards.

At the same time, the Malta Gaming Authority represents a more structured European jurisdiction, but one that confers no operating rights in France. An operator holding a Maltese license is still considered illegal if they target the French market without ANJ approval. Unlike Curacao, Malta imposes more rigorous audits, but this protection does not apply to French players who bypass blocks. By operating from an extraterritorial jurisdiction, these platforms escape ANJ obligations, such as mandatory deposit limits or contribution to funding the prevention of excessive gambling.

This regulatory relocation creates a major risk for the player. Unlike operators approved in France, entities under a Curacao or Maltese license (without French approval) are not required to segregate player funds or to guarantee the fairness of algorithms through independent audits recognized in Europe. When a mirror site changes domains to escape a block, it often breaks service continuity. This leads to the loss of balances and gaming histories with no possibility of reclamation.

Legal framework: Monetary and financial code and financial risks

Attempting to bypass blocks exposes the player to a complete absence of a legal safety net. By crossing these administrative barriers, you leave the protective framework of French law to enter a lawless zone where cybercrime thrives.

Violation of the Monetary and Financial Code

Platforms operating outside the fold of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) do not comply with the French Monetary and Financial Code. This code strictly regulates payment services and prohibits unapproved establishments from collecting funds for unauthorized gambling. In the event of a dispute, such as a refusal to withdraw winnings, no authority like the DGCCRF can intervene. The player is left isolated face-to-face with entities often based in jurisdictions of convenience. Any legal action becomes impossible and losses are unrecoverable.

Danger for personal and banking data

Access to these sites directly compromises the security of your sensitive information. The payment providers used by these illegal operators are not regulated by the ACPR and risk prosecution for receiving stolen goods if they facilitate these transactions. These payment providers operate outside of any legal framework, drastically increasing the risk of bank fraud. This lack of supervision exposes your banking details to cybercrime and data theft, as encryption protocols are not audited according to European standards.

The importance of the voluntary gambling ban

For players in difficulty, the sustainable solution is not technical but legal: the voluntary gambling ban. By registering via Joueurs Info Service, the player is integrated into the self-excluded file, a database shared with all legal operators and land-based casinos. This measure blocks the opening of any new account and prevents access to licensed gambling, offering real protection against addiction. The self-excluded file acts as an effective administrative shield, unlike easily bypassed DNS blocks. Joueurs Info Service also accompanies players toward specialized care, recalling that protection is first and foremost about prevention.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

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

Last update: 2026-07-10.

This article on "how to bypass the ANJ blocking of illegal sites" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory developments, 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 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, 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 register (banned from games 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.