Prohibition of gambling

Verified 12 April 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

You think you have a gambling addiction (casinos, gaming clubs, online games...)?

To protect yourself, you can apply voluntarily to be game ban. You will then be registered in a specific file, which is transmitted to the different organizations.

The prohibition can also be imposed on the initiative of a third party (judge, interior minister or legal representative). This ban is temporary.

We present you with the information you need to know.

Voluntary prohibition of gambling

Voluntary prohibition of gambling is strictly personal and confidential. Your entourage can't take this step. The only exception is that the process may be company by the legal representative (example: the guardian).

You must to be of age. Indeed, the minors are not allowed to play.

Plus, you think be gaming dependent.

Please note

You can assess your gambling addiction by responding to a questionnaire proposed by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ).

On the Internet

You can submit the request online with the following online service:

Ask to be banned from gambling (ANJ)

You must provide the following information:

  • Your full contact details (mailing address, email, telephone)
  • Copy of your ID (passport, front/back ID card or driver's license).
By mail

You can send your request by mail to theANJ: titleContent.

A sample letter is available:

Ask to be banned from gambling

Your mail must be signed and must include all your contact information (including your phone number).

You must also attach a copy of an identity document (passport, front/back identity card, driver's license).

You must also specify a preferred time slot in order to be called by the ANJ services.

Who shall I contact

Once your file has been validated, your game ban will be confirmed to you by mail.

FYI  

It is also possible to self-exclude from an online gaming site. The site blocks your player account and prohibits the opening of a new account for the chosen period. Some casinos also create their own "do not receive" file.

The effect of banning gambling is to ban you:

  • To enter a casino or game club
  • To access an online gaming site approved by theANJ: titleContent (sports betting, horse-race betting and poker)
  • Access the games of the French Games (FDJ) and PMU made with a player account.

When you are registered in the gambling ban file, this file is transmitted to casinos, gambling clubs and legal gambling sites.

The casino or gaming club must check your identity or face punishment.

You cannot open an account on a gambling website.

These sites must inform you of the possibility of being prohibited from gambling yourself.

The ban on gambling is imposed for a period of 3 years.

It shall be tacitly renewable.

The voluntary ban on gambling is valid throughout France (metropolis and overseas).

It shall be pronounced for a period of Three years.

It shall be tacitly renewable.

After 3 years, if you feel you no longer need this measure, you can request its lifting by the online service set up by theANJ: titleContent :

Lifting of Game Prohibition (ANJ)

This request to lift the ban can also be made by mail.

Who shall I contact

Without contacting ANJ: titleContent, your ban will be maintained.

Third-party request

Who can be banned from gambling?

You must to be of age. Indeed, the minors are not allowed to play.

What is the procedure in the case of a judicial ban?

The court of law can prohibit you from gambling in the context of a additional penalty (for example, if you tried to defraud a casino) or a parole or a stay of probation.

The sentencing judge may therefore requireANJ: titleContent to declare your prohibition of games for a maximum period of 5 years.

What are the consequences of banning gambling?

The effect of banning gambling is to ban you:

  • To enter a casino or game club
  • To access an online gaming site approved by theANJ: titleContent (sports betting, horse-race betting and poker)
  • Access the games of the French Games (FDJ) and PMU made with a player account.

When you are registered in the gambling ban file, this file is transmitted to casinos, gambling clubs and legal gambling sites.

The casino or gaming club must check your identity or face punishment.

You cannot open an account on a gambling website.

These sites must inform you of the possibility of being prohibited from gambling yourself.

The end of this ban does not require any action on your part: it is automatic.

Who can be banned from gambling?

You must to be of age. Indeed, the minors can't play.

What is the procedure in the case of a ban on the initiative of the Minister of the Interior?

This prohibition is imposed in the event of disturbances to the order or tranquility or to the normal conduct of games in casinos, gaming clubs and online games. For example, following an arrest for violence committed in a casino.

The Minister of the Interior can therefore pronounce - even without your agreement - your ban on games for a 5-year renewable term.

L'ANJ: titleContent shall be informed of the decisions taken by the Minister.

No action is needed to end this ban. Indeed, the lifting of this ban is automatic.

What are the consequences of banning gambling?

The effect of banning gambling is to ban you:

  • To enter a casino or game club
  • To access an online gaming site approved by theANJ: titleContent (sports betting, horse-race betting and poker)
  • Access the games of the French Games (FDJ) and PMU made with a player account.

When you are registered in the gambling ban file, this file is transmitted to casinos, gambling clubs and legal gambling sites.

The casino or gaming club must check your identity or face punishment.

You cannot open an account on a gambling website.

These sites must inform you of the possibility of being prohibited from gambling yourself.

The end of this ban does not require any action on your part: it is automatic.

You can challenge this prohibition in court administrative tribunal on which your home depends.

Who shall I contact

What is the procedure in the case of a ban on the initiative of the legal representative?

Your guardian or trustee should contact theANJ: titleContent.

On the Internet

Your guardian or curator can make the request online with the following online service:

Ask to be banned from gambling (ANJ)

It should provide the following information:

  • Your full contact details (mailing address, email, telephone)
  • Copy of your ID (passport, front/back ID card or driver's license)
  • Your contact preferences to be recalled by the services of theANJ: titleContent
  • Copy of the extract of the judgment of guardianship or curatorship.
By mail

He may send the request by post toANJ: titleContent.

A template is available:

Ask to be banned from gambling

The mail must be signed and must include all your contact information (including your phone number).

He must also attach a copy of an identity document (passport, identity card on both sides, driver's license).

It must indicate a preferential time slot in order to be called by the ANJ services.

Who shall I contact

What are the consequences of banning gambling?

The effect of banning gambling is to ban you:

  • To enter a casino or game club
  • To access an online gaming site approved by theANJ: titleContent (sports betting, horse-race betting and poker)
  • Access the games of the French Games (FDJ) and PMU made with a player account.

When you are registered in the gambling ban file, this file is transmitted to casinos, gambling clubs and legal gambling sites.

The casino or gaming club must check your identity or face punishment.

You cannot open an account on a gambling website.

These sites must inform you of the possibility of being prohibited from gambling yourself.

How long does a legal representative's request for a ban on gambling last?

The voluntary ban on gambling is valid throughout France (metropolis and overseas).

It is pronounced for a period of 3 years.

It shall be tacitly renewable.

After three years, if the legal representative considers that he no longer needs this measure, he can request its lifting by the online service set up by theANJ: titleContent :

Lifting of Game Prohibition (ANJ)

This request to lift the ban can also be made by mail.

Who shall I contact

Without any action on his part with ANJ: titleContent, your ban will be maintained.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region