France’s gambling authority, ANJ, has released a new guide for licensed online gambling operators aimed at improving the identification, documentation, and handling of player fraud.
The guide, published on Monday after consultations with operators and the gaming ombudsman, clarifies compliance expectations related to existing anti-fraud and anti-money laundering regulations, without adding new legal requirements.
While it does not create additional legal obligations, the guide tightens the framework that operators must follow in addressing player fraud in France. It answers persistent questions from operators around the appropriate circumstances for closing accounts, returning or withholding player balances, canceling bets, or redistributing tournament winnings that were fraudulently obtained.
Importantly, the guide outlines the evidentiary standards that French courts expect operators to meet before making decisions that could face legal scrutiny.
ANJ identified six primary types of fraud commonly seen in online gambling: identity fraud, payment fraud, abusive chargebacks, in-game cheating, money-dumping, and manipulation of sporting events. For each fraud category, the guide details relevant legal provisions and suggested operational responses.
For identity fraud, operators are advised to close accounts once fraud is established and to withhold funds if bank account ownership cannot be confirmed. In the case of account takeovers, the guide emphasizes the implementation of technical measures such as two-factor authentication for withdrawals and updates to banking information.
To address issues like poker collusion and the use of bots, the guide recommends contractual measures that allow operators to reallocate ill-gotten gains to affected players, noting that such actions are upheld by courts when backed by solid evidence.
Proof of wrongdoing, rather than mere suspicion, is highlighted as essential. The guide specifies the types of evidence and “converging indicators” that French courts have previously accepted, including IP addresses, device logs, and connection times.
Operators are encouraged to enhance their terms and conditions, maintain solid documentation, and adopt high technical standards. They should also review their Know Your Customer protocols, fraud detection methods, and contractual terms to align with the guide’s recommendations, while assessing their technical safeguards to meet regulatory expectations and certification standards.
In terms of oversight priorities, safeguarding remains at the forefront for ANJ. In July 2023, the regulator imposed a €500,000 ($572,797) fine on an unidentified online betting operator, referred to as Company X, for failing to adequately recognize and assist customers showing signs of problematic gambling behavior. The investigation revealed Company X had not accurately identified 29 high-risk players: six players were entirely overlooked, while 23 were misclassified at a lower risk level.
Earlier this year, the regulator also initiated a public awareness campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup to inform about the potential risks of gambling addiction connected to the increase in sports betting during the event.
