France’s gambling regulator, ANJ, released a new practical guide on Monday to assist licensed online gambling operators in effectively identifying, documenting, and responding to various forms of player fraud. This guide stems from consultations with operators and the gaming ombudsman and clarifies expectations for compliance with existing anti-fraud and anti-money laundering regulations, though it does not introduce any new legal requirements.
The guide refines the operational framework for managing player fraud in France. It addresses frequent questions operators have concerning account closures, the handling of player balances, the cancellation of bets, and the redistribution of tournament prizes that may have been fraudulently obtained. Furthermore, it outlines the evidentiary standards that French courts expect operators to adhere to before implementing corrective measures that might legally be challenged.
ANJ identified six prevalent categories of fraud in online gambling: identity fraud, payment fraud, abusive chargebacks, in-game cheating, money-dumping, and sporting event manipulation. For each of these categories, the guide outlines relevant legal provisions alongside recommended operational responses.
In cases of identity fraud, operators are advised to close accounts as soon as fraud is confirmed and to hold player balances when the ownership of bank accounts cannot be verified. For account takeovers, the guide recommends implementing technical security measures like two-factor authentication for withdrawals and modifications of banking information.
Regarding issues related to poker collusion or the use of bots, the guide suggests that operators create contractual provisions allowing for the redistribution of illegitimate winnings to the affected players. It is noted that such actions have been validated in court when supported with solid data.
The ANJ emphasizes the necessity for operators to provide concrete evidence, rather than relying solely on suspicions. The guide details types of evidence and "converging indicators" (faisceaux d’indices) accepted by French courts in prior cases, which include IP addresses, device logs, and connection timings.
Operators are encouraged to take several practical steps: enhancing terms and conditions, ensuring robust evidence collection, and increasing technical standards. A careful review of current Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, fraud detection processes, and contractual terms is also recommended to align with the guide's provisions. Additionally, operators should assess their technical safeguards to meet both regulatory expectations and certification standards.
The issue of safeguarding remains a critical focus for the regulator. In July, ANJ fined an unnamed online betting operator, referred to as Company X, €500,000 ($572,797) for failing to properly identify and assist customers showing signs of problematic gambling. The investigation revealed that Company X did not accurately identify 29 high-risk players, missing six entirely and misclassifying 23 at a lower risk tier.
Earlier this year, the regulator also launched a public awareness campaign in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup to alert the public about the potential gambling addiction risks associated with increased sports betting during the tournament.
