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France tightens operator guidance on player fraud

By jili tutorial · September 2, 2026

France Tightens Operator Guidance on Player Fraud

Overview of the New ANJ Guidance

France’s gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has published a practical guide for licensed online gambling operators to help them better identify, document, and respond to various forms of player fraud. Released on Monday after a consultation period with operators and the gaming ombudsman, the guide clarifies existing anti-fraud and anti-money laundering requirements without introducing new legal obligations. While it does not impose fresh duties, it effectively tightens the operational framework that operators must follow to manage player fraud in France.

The guide addresses long-standing questions operators face about when it is reasonable to close accounts, withhold or return player balances, cancel bets, or redistribute tournament prizes that are suspected to be fraudulently obtained. It also provides insight into the evidentiary standards French courts expect operators to meet before taking corrective actions that could be legally challenged.

Key Fraud Categories Identified

The ANJ outlined six major categories of fraud frequently encountered in online gambling:

For each category, the guide explains relevant legal provisions and recommends specific operational actions. For example, in cases of identity fraud, operators are advised to close accounts once fraud is established and to hold balances when bank account ownership cannot be confirmed. For account takeovers, the guide emphasizes technical mitigations such as two-factor authentication for withdrawals and changes to banking details. In poker collusion and bot-use scenarios, recommended contractual provisions allow operators to redistribute illegitimate winnings to affected players. The guide notes that French courts have validated such actions when supported by robust data.

Evidentiary Standards Emphasized

The ANJ stresses that operators must act on proof, not suspicion. The guide outlines the types of evidence and “converging indicators” (faisceaux d’indices) that French courts have accepted in previous litigation, including IP addresses, device logs, and connection timings. This evidentiary framework helps operators build defensible cases before taking corrective measures.

Operational Recommendations for Operators

To align with the guide’s expectations, operators are encouraged to take several practical steps:

Operators should also thoroughly review their Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, fraud detection protocols, and contractual terms to reflect the guide’s recommendations. They must evaluate their current technical safeguards to ensure they meet regulator expectations and certification standards.

Regulatory Priorities: Safeguarding and Enforcement

Safeguarding has re-emerged as a key focus for the ANJ. In July of this year, the regulator imposed a €500,000 ($572,797) fine on an unnamed online betting operator (referred to as Company X) for failing to adequately identify and support customers showing signs of problematic gambling. The investigation found that Company X had not correctly identified 29 high-risk players: six were missed entirely, and 23 were misclassified at a lower risk tier.

Additionally, the ANJ launched a public awareness campaign earlier this year during the 2026 World Cup to warn of potential gambling addiction risks associated with increased sports betting during the tournament.

Kathryn Evans covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.