France’s gambling authority, ANJ, recently released a guide aimed at helping licensed online gambling operators better recognize, document, and tackle various forms of player fraud. The guide was published on Monday following consultations with operators and the gaming ombudsman and clarifies compliance expectations regarding existing anti-fraud and anti-money laundering regulations without adding any new legal duties.
Although it does not introduce fresh legal responsibilities, the guide effectively strengthens the framework that operators must follow to manage player fraud within the country. It addresses persistent questions operators have had about when it is appropriate to close accounts, withhold or return player balances, cancel bets, or redistribute tournament prizes considered to have been won fraudulently.
One significant aspect of the guide is the clarification it provides regarding the evidentiary standards that French courts expect operators to meet prior to taking actions that could face legal scrutiny.
The ANJ identified six main categories of fraud prevalent in online gambling: identity fraud, payment fraud, abusive chargebacks, in-game cheating, money-dumping, and manipulation of sporting events. The guide includes relevant legal provisions and suggests operational responses for each category.
For identity fraud cases, operators are advised to close accounts upon confirming fraudulent activity and to withhold balances if they cannot verify ownership of bank accounts. In terms of account takeovers, the guide highlights technical safeguards such as requiring two-factor authentication for any withdrawal requests or changes to banking details.
In situations involving poker collusion and the use of bots, the guide recommends including contractual clauses that permit operators to reclaim illegitimate winnings and redistribute them to the affected players. It notes that French courts support these actions if they are based on substantial evidence.
The ANJ insists that operators must provide concrete proof rather than act merely on suspicion. The guide details what constitutes acceptable evidence as well as “converging indicators” (faisceaux d’indices) recognized by French courts in previous legal cases, which include IP addresses, device logs, and connection timings.
Operators are encouraged to take several practical measures, including strengthening their terms and conditions, maintaining comprehensive evidence, and adhering to technical standards. They are also advised to rigorously evaluate their Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, fraud detection protocols, and contractual terms in line with the guide's recommendations, ensuring that their technical safeguards meet the expectations set by the regulator.
The ANJ has reaffirmed its focus on safeguarding players. In July, the authority penalized an unnamed online betting operator, referred to as Company X, with a €500,000 ($572,797) fine for failing to properly identify and assist customers showing signs of problematic gambling behavior. This fine was the result of an investigation revealing that Company X had incorrectly classified 29 high-risk players, with six players completely missed and 23 misclassified as lower risk.
Earlier this year, the regulator also initiated a public awareness campaign in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup to address the potential gambling addiction risks tied to the surge in sports betting during the event.
