ANJ voluntary gambling ban: procedure, duration and removal

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

How to request 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 application to validate their identity. This step ensures rapid processing. The biometric method avoids postal delays and ensures immediate protection against access to licensed sites.

Access to the secure ANJ portal

To start, go to the site 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 request by mail is still possible, but it significantly slows down the activation of the system compared to digital registration.

Biometric identity verification

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

Validation and processing time

Once identity is certified, the registration becomes effective quickly according to recent service updates. This marks the official start of the ban. Unlike registered mail, which requires receiving the proof of delivery, the online procedure on anj.fr offers optimal responsiveness for emergency situations. The ban is automatically maintained after 3 years unless an explicit request for removal 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 land-based casinos, licensed online gambling sites, and FDJ and PMU player accounts. The renewal is tacit. Without an active request for removal after this period, the ban remains in force indefinitely.

An irrevocable minimum duration of 3 years

The voluntary gambling ban is based on an incompressible protection period of 3 years. During this window, it is legally impossible to interrupt the measure, even in the event 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 is activated automatically. If the player does not take any specific steps with the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), their registration in the Central File of Banned Gamblers is maintained indefinitely. To regain access to gambling, an explicit request to lift the ban is mandatory. This procedure requires identity validation and the sending of an official notification by post 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 on national territory, including overseas territories. Upon registration in the file, every establishment has a legal obligation to implement systematic identity checks at the entrance of gaming rooms. This verification physically prevents access to gaming tables and slot machines.

This physical ban does not extend to horse racing bets placed directly at racecourses nor to traditional loteries. 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 leads de facto to 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 gambling sites licensed by the ANJ. This includes sports betting, horse racing, and poker. The file of banned individuals is electronically transmitted to operators. They must prevent the opening of new accounts and freeze existing access.

This restriction also applies to player accounts held with the FDJ (Française des Jeux) and the PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain). The ban prevents any connection 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 tobacconists, as these transactions do not go through an identified player account. For total protection, it is recommended to complement this measure with direct self-exclusion at physical points of sale if impulsivity persists offline.

Professional consequences and alternatives

The ANJ voluntary gambling ban procedure has immediate and irreversible repercussions on the professional lives of employees in the sector. Beyond blocking player accounts, this measure causes the automatic loss of the Authorization (Agrément) necessary to practice any profession in a casino or with a licensed operator. Distinguish this radical sanction from Voluntary Access Limitation. This more flexible alternative allows players to modulate their gaming without breaking the professional connection, while relying on resources such as Addiction France for adapted support.

Loss of authorization for gambling professionals

A voluntary gambling ban is not limited to a leisure restriction. It constitutes an absolute legal obstacle to employment in the gambling industry. The Authorization (Agrément), issued by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), is a sine qua non condition for working in a casino, a gaming club, or for managing player accounts with operators like the FDJ or PMU. Upon registration in the file of banned individuals, this authorization is withdrawn. This leads to the immediate loss of current employment.

This ban applies to all professions requiring this authorization. This concerns dealers, gaming room managers, or administrative staff linked to the operation of games. For job applicants, an active voluntary ban request systematically leads to a refusal of authorization. Recruitment becomes impossible during the entire 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, Voluntary Access Limitation (LVA) offers a nuanced approach for players wishing to control their gaming habits without completely cutting themselves off from their professional or social environment. LVA allows players to define their gaming terms directly with the establishment: duration, frequency of visits, betting limits, or authorized payment methods. This measure, often confused with self-exclusion, acts as a personalized brake rather than a watertight barrier.

The fundamental difference lies in reversibility and scope. While the voluntary ban blocks access to all land-based casinos and licensed online sites, LVA is negotiated on a case-by-case basis. It can be limited to certain establishments or platforms. It allows players to maintain professional activity in the sector, as it does not lead to the loss of the 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.

Help and support resources

Before considering a permanent ban, it is recommended to seek help from structures specializing in support for problem gamblers. Addiction France offers a network of free and anonymous consultations. They offer psychological support and discussion groups to understand the mechanisms of addiction. Their multidisciplinary approach helps assess whether a restrictive measure such as a voluntary ban is necessary or if therapeutic follow-up is sufficient.

At the same time, Joueurs Info Service provides a telephone helpline and online tools to evaluate consumption and obtain immediate advice. These organizations work in complementarity with the ANJ systems. They guide players toward the solutions best suited to their situation, whether it is a simple Voluntary Access Limitation or a formal ban. Using these services allows players to make an informed decision. The goal is to ensure that the ban process is indeed motivated by a real need for protection and not by a passing impulse.

Procedure for lifting a gambling ban

Lifting a gambling ban is never automatic. It requires an active process with the ANJ once the legal period of three years has elapsed. Without action on your part, the registration is tacitly renewed and the ban remains in force indefinitely. This strictly personal procedure aims to verify that the player's situation has stabilized before restoring access to licensed platforms and land-based establishments.

Conditions and timeframe for requesting removal

To initiate the removal of a ban, you must wait for the expiration of a minimum period of three years from the date of the initial registration. After this point, the ban does not stop on its own. It is automatically extended as long as you do not manifest your contrary will. The request is made via the dedicated online service of the ANJ or by post, according to the procedures in force.

The online procedure, often faster, requires uploading a legible copy of your valid ID (double-sided national identity card, passport, or residence permit). The ANJ then checks the admissibility of the file and proceeds to remove you from the file of banned individuals if the conditions are met. It notifies you of the decision by mail. It is crucial to note that this process is not recommended if you are still suffering from the consequences of problem gambling, such as financial difficulties or social isolation.

Difference with administrative and judicial bans

Distinguish the removal of a voluntary ban from coercive measures imposed by the Ministry of the Interior or the courts. The voluntary ban is a personal protection process. The administrative ban is pronounced by prefectural authorities for public order disturbance. The judicial gambling ban results from a court decision.

Unlike a voluntary ban which you can lift after three years, administrative or judicial bans follow distinct legal procedures. They do not depend on the simple ANJ form. The Ministry of the Interior manages these files separately to ensure public safety. Their removal 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 the guardian and legal representatives

For adults under legal protection, a Guardian can intervene in the ban and removal 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 removal or the ban, they must provide not only their own identity document but also a copy of the decision of the guardianship judge certifying their powers. This requirement ensures that the protective measure is aligned with the Guardian's legal mandate. The ANJ rigorously checks these documents to prevent any identity theft or conflict of interest. The protection of the vulnerable player takes precedence over administrative simplicity.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

Verified by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming compliance analyst

Last updated: 2026-07-02.

This article on “ANJ voluntary gambling ban procedure” was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory developments, licensing, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, authorities, or legal frameworks refer to public sources (ANJ (National Gaming 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 systems.

Responsible Gaming

Gambling can become addictive. If you feel you are losing control, contact Joueurs Info Service, SOS Joueurs or use the national self-exclusion register (file of banned gamblers (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing for real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are levers for sustainable pleasure.

Legal disclaimer

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 rules.