ANJ voluntary gambling ban: Complete guide, online procedure, and timeframes

The ANJ voluntary gambling ban is a personal and free process. It blocks access to casinos, gaming clubs, sports betting websites, online poker, and FDJ/PMU player accounts. Valid for a minimum of three years, it is activated via the secure ANJ portal with identity verification by IDnow (dynamic selfie) or by mail.

What is the voluntary gambling ban (IVJ)?

The ANJ voluntary online gambling ban is a strictly personal and confidential process that helps protect oneself from the risks associated with excessive gambling. To initiate this procedure, the player must register on the dedicated portal, where the ANJ manages the entire process of blocking access to licensed operators. This free and secure measure prevents access to casinos, sports betting, and FDJ or PMU games with a player account.

Definition and objectives: protecting oneself from excessive gambling

The system aims to isolate the player from regulated circuits to break the addictive cycle. By registering, the individual explicitly requests to be excluded from the French legal offer. This comprehensive protection measure locks access to the entire offering, both physical and digital, while preserving the possibility of withdrawing remaining funds according to each operator's general terms and conditions.

Personal, confidential, and free nature

The administrative process is free and requires only two main steps to be validated. Data confidentiality is ensured by the legal framework supervised by the ANJ, guaranteeing that personal information is only used for the application of the ban.

Scope of application: Which games and venues are affected?

The ANJ voluntary online gambling ban constitutes a global protection system. It instantly blocks entry to physical establishments and logins to licensed digital platforms.

Ban on access to physical casinos and gaming clubs

The physical scope of the ban is strict and applies uniformly throughout the national territory. Registration in the banned players list leads to a formal ban on entering a Casino, regardless of the target establishment. Systematic identity checks at the entrance of gaming halls ensure this measure is respected immediately.

This restriction also extends to Gaming Clubs, venues dedicated to slot machines and table games outside traditional casinos. Access to these establishments is prohibited.

Blocking of sports betting and online poker websites

On the digital front, the ban covers all websites licensed by the National Gaming Authority. The player can no longer access sports betting, horse race betting, or online poker offered by licensed operators in France. Creating new accounts is technically impossible, and existing accounts are frozen to prevent any new wagers.

It is important to note that this ban does not apply to bets placed physically at racetracks or in physical points of sale not linked to a player account, nor to traditional lotteries. However, as soon as a transaction goes through an online account, the block is effective for sports betting and online poker.

Impact on FDJ and PMU player accounts

The major historical operators are not exempt from this measure. The ban blocks access to games from Française des Jeux (FDJ) and PMU when they are played via a player account, whether online or at a physical point of sale. La Française des Jeux must therefore refuse access to its digital platforms for any individual registered on the central banned list.

This synchronization ensures that no loophole remains between the different operators in the regulated market. If a player attempts to access their Française des Jeux or PMU account, the system rejects the connection. The remaining funds in these accounts must be withdrawn according to the specific procedures of each operator, as the ban freezes the activity but does not confiscate the money.

How to request voluntary self-exclusion online?

The new digital procedure via interdictiondejeux.anj.fr

To request an ANJ voluntary gambling self-exclusion, go to the official website interdictiondejeux.anj.fr. This platform centralizes requests, replacing the old paper methods with a 100% digital process. The online form automatically pre-fills certain information, simplifying data entry for the person concerned. This self-exclusion applies for a minimum period of three years, tacitly renewable without any further action. Service-public.fr confirms that without a request to lift it from the ANJ after this period, the self-exclusion remains in place indefinitely.

Biometric identity verification with IDnow and dynamic selfie

The security of the system relies on a rigorous identity verification carried out by the technology partner IDnow. During registration, the player must take a dynamic selfie using their smartphone, a technology that captures a real-time image to validate the match with the ID provided.

This dynamic selfie allows IDnow to certify that the request is indeed made by the person themselves, thereby reinforcing the personal nature of the self-exclusion. The use of IDnow guarantees accelerated and secure processing, preventing identity theft. This biometric technology is essential to prevent fraud where a third party might attempt to register someone without their knowledge, ensuring that only the player's actual decision triggers the block.

Activation timeframe and data security

Once the identity is validated by IDnow, the registration becomes effective in the following days. The ANJ aims to reduce this timeframe to 24 hours for faster protection. During this technical propagation period, access to licensed gambling sites is progressively blocked.

Duration, renewal, and removal of the self-exclusion

The ANJ voluntary online gambling self-exclusion is a strict protective measure, framed by Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010, which imposes a mandatory minimum duration of three years. This registration in the self-exclusion file blocks access to licensed operators and cannot be cancelled before the legal expiry, thereby guaranteeing a stabilization period for the player concerned.

Minimum legal duration of three years

The legislative framework sets a minimum period of 36 months, during which no revocation is possible, even in the event of a change of mind. This minimum self-exclusion duration aims to break immediate addictive cycles. As stipulated by Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010, this measure applies uniformly across the national territory, including overseas territories, and concerns sports betting as well as table games. This period provides legal and psychological security, rather than being a mere temporary administrative formality.

Procedure to lift the self-exclusion after 3 years

Lifting the self-exclusion is not automatic; it requires a proactive step by the player with the National Gaming Authority (ANJ). You must complete a specific online form or send it by mail, attaching a valid ID. The ANJ then verifies the eligibility of the file before proceeding with the removal from the self-exclusion database. Please note that this procedure is not recommended if signs of addiction persist, as it exposes the player once again to financial risks. It is not possible to request the removal before the end of the three-year term, except in very specific judicial cases not related to the standard voluntary procedure.

Tacit renewal and maintenance in the database

The system operates on a tacit renewal principle. If no request to lift the ban is made at the end of the three years, the measure remains fully effective indefinitely. This permanence ensures continuous protection without the need for tedious annual renewals. Remaining on the gambling self-exclusion list therefore persists as long as the player does not explicitly express their desire to regain access to licensed sites.

Third-party exclusion and protection alternatives

Voluntary online gambling self-exclusion with the ANJ is a major protection measure, but it is not the only option available. While the process remains fundamentally personal, a Guardian can act on behalf of their ward, while the Ministry of the Interior imposes separate administrative measures.

Request for exclusion by a guardian or the courts

A Guardian, as the legal representative appointed by the guardianship judge, has the authority to request a gambling ban on behalf of their adult ward under guardianship. This procedure requires providing a copy of the court decision and a valid ID, ensuring that the measure serves the interest of the vulnerable player. Although distinct from a judicial gambling ban issued in a criminal context, this action by the guardian activates the same central database, blocking access to licensed operators.

Difference with administrative and judicial bans

Voluntary self-exclusion differs from the administrative gambling ban issued by the Ministry of the Interior. The latter, often linked to public order disturbances or a residence ban, is imposed by the State and not chosen by the player. Unlike the voluntary process managed by the ANJ, the administrative ban falls under police authority and applies regardless of the will of the person concerned, although the technical effects (blocking accounts) are similar on French platforms.

Voluntary Access Limitation (LVA) as an alternative

Voluntary access limitation (LVA) allows players to set deposit or playing time limits without causing a total exclusion. Unlike a ban that closes the doors of casinos and online sites, LVA maintains access while regulating play. To support these choices, Joueurs Info Service offers free support via chat or telephone, helping players assess their addiction before choosing between LVA and a total ban.

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 "voluntary online gambling self-exclusion ANJ" 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 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 measures.

Responsible gambling

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

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 compliance with local rules.