Can I bet or gamble online?
Yes, but only on licensed sites and for certain games. In France, only online are allowed: sports betting, horse-race betting and poker offered by operators licensed by the ANJ (national gaming authority), plus the FDJ lotteries and games (monopoly). Online casinos (slot machines, roulette, blackjack) remain banned. Access is restricted to adults (18): operators must verify age and identity. To check a site is legal, see the official list of licensed operators on anj.fr.
📋 The rules
- Allowed online: sports betting, horse-race betting, poker (ANJ-licensed operators)
- FDJ lotteries / games: monopoly
- Online casinos (slots, roulette): banned
- Access restricted to adults (18)
- Check legality on the licensed list (anj.fr)
🔓 Exceptions
- Unlicensed foreign sites: illegal in France (and risky for the player)
- Moderation tools: self-exclusion and limits offered by operators
- Voluntary gambling ban available via the ANJ
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Offering an unauthorised gambling service is an offence for the operator, and the ANJ can have illegal sites blocked. For the player, betting on an unlicensed site is generally not criminally punished, but exposes you to real risks: no protection, no guaranteed winnings, unsecured data, no recourse. Letting a minor play is banned. In difficulty, the Joueurs Info Service line (09 74 75 13 13) offers help.
📎 Official sources
- ANJ · Which gambling and betting are allowed? →
- economie.gouv.fr · Regulation of online gaming and betting →
- Service-Public.fr · Gambling and games of chance →
❓ Frequently asked
Can you bet online legally in France?
Yes, on sports or horse-race betting and poker offered by ANJ-licensed operators, plus FDJ games. You must be an adult. The list of legal sites is published on anj.fr.
Are online casinos allowed?
No. Online casinos (slot machines, roulette, blackjack) remain banned in France. Only sports betting, horse-race betting, poker and FDJ games are allowed online, via licensed operators.
How do I know if a site is legal?
Check the official list of licensed operators published by the ANJ on anj.fr. It's the only reliable reference. An unlicensed site is illegal in France and offers no player protection.
What age to gamble online?
18. Gambling is banned for minors, and licensed operators must verify their clients' age and identity. Letting a minor play is banned and punished.
What's the risk on an unlicensed site?
For the player, it's generally not criminally punished, but the risks are real: no guaranteed winnings, no protection, unsecured data, no recourse in a dispute. Better to stick to licensed operators.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “bet online legal france”
- “online casino banned france”
- “anj licensed sports betting sites”
- “online gambling 18”
- “online poker legal”
- “check legal betting site anj”