France’s gambling authority, ANJ, has released a new practical guide designed to assist licensed online gambling operators in the identification, documentation, and management of player fraud.
This guide, published on Monday, followed discussions with operators and the gaming ombudsman and aims to clarify compliance with existing anti-fraud and anti-money laundering regulations without imposing additional legal responsibilities.
Although no new legal duties were introduced, the guide tightens the expectations for operators in handling player fraud within France. It addresses key concerns operators have regarding account closures, the handling of player balances, the cancellation of bets, and the redistribution of tournament winnings that may have been fraudulently obtained.
The document also offers insights into the evidentiary standards that French courts require from operators before taking actions that could be legally challenged.
ANJ identified six primary categories of player fraud commonly encountered in the online gambling sector: identity fraud, payment fraud, abusive chargebacks, in-game cheating, money-dumping, and sporting event manipulation.
For each type of fraud, the guide details relevant legal requirements and suggests recommended operational actions. In cases of identity fraud, for example, operators should close accounts when fraud is established and hold balances if the ownership of bank accounts cannot be verified.
In addressing account takeovers, the guide emphasizes the importance of technical protections such as implementing two-factor authentication for withdrawals and changes in banking information.
To combat poker collusion and the use of bots, the guide recommends legal provisions that enable operators to redistribute fraudulent winnings to other players affected. Courts have recognized such actions, provided they are backed by substantial data.
Evidentiary standards are a key focus for ANJ, which emphasizes that operators must present proof and not act solely on suspicion. The guide specifies the types of evidence and “converging indicators” that French courts accept, including IP addresses, device logs, and connection timings.
Operators are advised to take practical steps to enhance their terms and conditions, maintain thorough evidence, and upgrade technical safeguards. They should also review their Know Your Customer protocols, fraud detection methods, and contractual terms to ensure compliance with the guide's recommendations.
Further highlighting its focus on consumer protection, ANJ imposed a €500,000 ($572,797) fine in July on an unnamed online betting operator, referred to as Company X, for failing to accurately identify and assist customers showing signs of problematic gambling behavior. An investigation revealed that Company X did not adequately classify 29 high-risk players, missing six entirely and misclassifying 23 others at lower risk levels.
Earlier this year, the regulator also initiated a campaign to raise public awareness regarding the potential gambling addiction risks that could arise during the 2026 World Cup, a time when sports betting activity is anticipated to surge.
