Voluntary gambling ban ANJ: procedure, duration, and lifting

The voluntary gambling ban is a personal initiative managed by the ANJ on the website interdictiondejeux.anj.fr. It blocks access to casinos, betting sites, and FDJ/PMU accounts for at least 3 years. The application requires identity verification via a dynamic selfie using IDnow or through France Identité. You can only lift this measure after the 3-year period, upon explicit request by the player.

How to apply for a voluntary gambling ban?

The online procedure on anj.fr remains the fastest way to initiate a secure ANJ voluntary gambling ban procedure. The player goes through the dedicated portal and uses the IDnow service or the France Identité app to validate their identity. This step ensures rapid processing. The biometric method avoids postal delays and provides immediate protection against access to approved sites.

Access to the ANJ secure portal

To begin, go to the website interdictiondejeux.anj.fr. This is the only official digital channel managed by the ANJ. This online procedure on anj.fr is free, confidential, and strictly personal. It blocks access to casinos, gaming clubs, as well as FDJ and PMU player accounts. A postal application remains possible, but it significantly slows down the activation of the measure compared to digital registration.

Biometric identity verification

The ANJ relies on the technology partner IDnow or the government app France Identité to secure the verification. The system requires a valid ID (national ID card, passport) and the taking of a real-time dynamic selfie. The dynamic selfie confirms that the applicant is indeed the document holder. This prevents any identity fraud during this ANJ voluntary gambling ban procedure. This biometric process ensures that the measure remains a voluntary and conscious act by the player.

Validation and processing time

Once identity is certified, registration becomes effective quickly according to recent service updates. This marks the official start of the ban. Unlike registered mail, which requires receipt of the delivery notice, the online procedure on anj.fr offers optimal responsiveness for emergency situations. The ban automatically remains in effect after 3 years unless an explicit request for lifting is made.

Duration, renewal, and scope of application

The ANJ voluntary gambling ban procedure imposes an immediate and total block for a minimum duration of three years. This protective measure covers access to physical casinos, approved online gaming sites, and FDJ and PMU player accounts. Renewal is tacit. Without an active request for lifting after this period, the ban remains in effect indefinitely.

A minimum duration of 3 years, non-revocable

The voluntary gambling ban is based on an unbreakable 3-year protection period. During this window, it is legally impossible to interrupt the measure, even in case of a change in personal circumstances. This temporal rigidity aims to guarantee a sufficient withdrawal period for players facing addiction.

At the end of this three-year period, the tacit renewal mechanism activates automatically. If the player does not take any specific action with the National Gambling Authority (ANJ), their registration in the Central File of Banned Gamblers is maintained without a time limit. To regain access to games, an explicit request to lift the ban is mandatory. This procedure requires identity verification and the sending of an official notification by postal mail confirming the end of the banned status.

Ban on access to casinos and gaming clubs

The physical scope of the ban applies strictly to all Casinos and gaming clubs located on national territory, including overseas departments. Upon registration in the file, each establishment is legally required to implement systematic identity checks at the entrance to gaming rooms. This verification physically prevents access to gaming tables and slot machines.

This physical ban does not extend to horse bets placed directly at racecourses or to traditional lotteries. These activities fall under a separate regulatory framework. A major professional consequence concerns employment in the sector. If you work in a gaming establishment, the voluntary ban automatically deprives you of access to your workplace. This effectively results in the loss of professional authorization for the entire duration of the measure.

Blocking of online accounts and draw games

Digitally, the ban blocks access to all online gaming sites approved by the ANJ. This includes sports betting, horse racing, and poker. The banned file is transmitted electronically to operators. They must prevent the opening of new accounts and freeze existing access.

This restriction also applies to player accounts held with FDJ (Française des Jeux) and PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain). The ban prevents any login or wagering through these online platforms. However, an important technical nuance remains. The ANJ ban does not technically block the purchase of physical tickets (Loto, EuroMillions) at authorized retailers, as these transactions do not go through an identified player account. For total protection, it is recommended to supplement this measure with direct self-exclusion at physical sales points if impulsivity persists offline.

Professional consequences and alternatives

The ANJ voluntary gambling ban procedure has immediate and irreversible repercussions on the professional lives of sector employees. Beyond blocking player accounts, this measure automatically results in the loss of the Authorization required to work in any casino or with an approved operator. Distinguish this radical sanction from the Voluntary Access Limitation. This more flexible alternative allows you to adjust your gameplay without breaking professional ties, while relying on resources like Addiction France for tailored support.

Loss of authorization for gaming professionals

A voluntary gambling ban is not limited to a leisure restriction. It constitutes an absolute legal barrier to employment in the gaming industry. The Authorization, issued by the National Gambling Authority (ANJ), is a prerequisite for working in a casino, a gaming club, or for managing player accounts with operators like FDJ or PMU. Upon registration in the banned file, this authorization is revoked. This results in the immediate loss of current employment.

This ban applies to all professions requiring this authorization. This concerns dealers, floor managers, or administrative staff related to gaming operations. For job applicants, a currently valid voluntary ban application systematically leads to a refusal of authorization. Recruitment becomes impossible throughout the ban period, which is a minimum of three years. This measure aims to guarantee the integrity of establishments and protect vulnerable professionals. It aligns their legal status with their health status regarding Responsible Gaming.

Voluntary access limitation: a flexible alternative

Unlike a total ban, the Voluntary Access Limitation (VAL) offers a nuanced approach for players wishing to control their gameplay without completely cutting themselves off from the professional or social environment. VAL allows you to define the terms of play directly with the establishment: duration, frequency of visits, wager limits, or authorized payment methods. This measure, often confused with self-exclusion, acts as a personalized brake rather than an impermeable barrier.

The fundamental difference lies in reversibility and scope. While the voluntary ban blocks access to all physical casinos and approved online sites, VAL is negotiated on a case-by-case basis. It can be limited to certain establishments or platforms. It allows maintaining professional activity in the sector, as it does not result in the loss of Authorization. It is a relevant intermediate solution for those who identify risky behaviors but do not wish for total exclusion. This promotes a more progressive approach to Responsible Gaming.

Support resources and assistance

Before considering a permanent ban, it is recommended to contact specialized organizations that support excessive players. Addiction France offers a network of free and anonymous consultations. They provide psychological support and support groups to understand addiction mechanisms. Their multidisciplinary approach helps assess whether a restrictive measure like a voluntary ban is necessary or if therapeutic follow-up is sufficient.

Meanwhile, Joueurs Info Service provides a telephone helpline and online tools to assess consumption and obtain immediate advice. These organizations work in complementarity with ANJ measures. They guide players toward the solutions best suited to their situation, whether it's a simple Voluntary Access Limitation or a formal ban. Using these services allows for an informed decision. The goal is to ensure that the ban initiative is motivated by a genuine need for protection rather than a passing impulse.

Procedure for lifting a gambling ban

Lifting a gambling ban is never automatic. It requires an active application to the ANJ once the legal three-year period has passed. Without your action, the registration is tacitly renewed and the ban remains in effect indefinitely. This strictly personal procedure aims to verify that the player's situation is stabilized before restoring access to approved platforms and physical establishments.

Conditions and deadline for requesting a lift

To initiate a ban lift, you must strictly wait for a minimum period of three years to expire from the initial registration date. After this point, the ban does not stop on its own. It automatically extends until you express a contrary intention. The application is made via the ANJ's dedicated online service or by postal mail, according to current procedures.

The online procedure, often faster, requires uploading a readable copy of your valid ID (front and back of national ID card, passport, or residence permit). The ANJ then verifies the admissibility of the file and proceeds to remove you from the banned file if conditions are met. They notify you of the decision by mail. It is crucial to note that this procedure is not recommended if you are still experiencing the consequences of excessive gambling, such as financial difficulties or social isolation.

Difference from administrative and judicial bans

Distinguish the lifting of a voluntary ban from coercive measures imposed by the Ministry of the Interior or the judiciary. The voluntary ban is a personal protective measure. The administrative ban is issued by prefectural authorities for public order disturbances. The judicial gambling ban results from a court decision.

Unlike the voluntary ban that you can lift after three years, administrative or judicial bans follow distinct legal procedures. They do not rely solely on the ANJ form. The Ministry of the Interior manages these files separately to ensure public safety. Lifting them often requires legal rehabilitation or a specific decision from the issuing authority. The procedure is much more complex than a simple online request.

The role of guardians and legal representatives

For adults under legal protection, a Guardian can intervene in the ban and lifting process. Since recent updates, the Guardian is explicitly recognized as having the capacity to request a gambling ban on behalf of the protected person. However, lifting the ban remains a highly regulated process for these specific cases.

If a Guardian wishes to manage the lifting or imposition of the ban, they must provide not only their own ID but also a copy of the guardianship judge's decision attesting to their powers. This requirement ensures that the protective measure aligns with the Guardian's legal mandate. The ANJ rigorously verifies these documents to prevent any identity fraud or conflict of interest. The protection of the vulnerable player takes precedence over administrative simplicity.

About this article - Authorship & liability

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst Reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst Last updated: 2026-07-02.

This article on the "ANJ voluntary gambling ban procedure" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content to reflect regulatory changes, licenses, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, authorities, or legal frameworks refer to public sources (ANJ (National Gambling Authority), Law of May 12, 2010 on the opening of online gambling).

About the author

8+ years of casino testing, 200+ platforms personally tested in the EU and internationally. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialization: wagering requirements, withdrawal processes, customer support evaluation.

About the reviewer

12+ years in the iGaming industry, including 5 years in compliance consulting for operators licensed under the French ANJ framework. PhD in economic mathematics. Fields: bonus mathematics, wager analysis, player protection mechanisms.

Responsible gaming

Gaming can become addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs, or use the national self-exclusion registry (Central File of Banned Gamblers (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are levers for sustainable enjoyment.

Legal notice

The information in this article is provided for editorial and comparative purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Players remain responsible for complying with local regulations.