Banned: online roulette, blackjack, online slots

In France, the online market is arranged according to the principle "only what is directly called the law and the rules of the regulator is allowed." This list does not include classic casino games: online roulette, online blackjack and online slots are prohibited. Their legal format is only in land-based casinos. Below is how it works in practice and what to expect for players and operators.

What exactly is banned

Online roulette in all versions (European, French, American), including live roulette with a stream from the studio.

Online blackjack (including live formats).

Online slots and other casino RNG games (video poker, craps, etc.).

Important: the presence of a "live dealer" or broadcast does not make the game legal - online casino vertical as a class is not allowed.

What is allowed instead of

Only sports betting, horse racing betting (bet mutuel), online poker and lotteries are legally available. Everything else online is outside the legal field of France. Therefore, the "full" casino experience with tables and slots has been moved to offline halls (Barrière, Partouche, etc.).

Why France is holding the ban

1. Player protection. Authorities believe that casino games with a fast betting cycle and bright incentives carry increased risks of ludomania.

2. Resort economy. Land-based casinos are an important part of tourism and employment; moving the vertical online can cannibalize offline.

3. Marketing control. Online is harder to contain aggressive promotional mechanics and targeting vulnerable groups.

The role of ANJ and how oversight is going

ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux) licenses only permitted verticals, approves advertising rules and monitors operator responsibility. If the site offers online roulette, blackjack or slots for players from France, it cannot hold a French licence. Consequences for violators - prescriptions, blocking domains and payment channels, fines.

What the player risks

Lack of legal protection. The contract with the "gray" operator does not fall under French guarantees; controversial situations are difficult (or impossible) to defend.

Locks and holds. Payments may not go through, accounts are frozen, verification is delayed.

Aggressive incentives. Super-generous bonuses and non-standard conditions are a marker of an unregulated site.

Dependency and costs. Fast RNG cycles without local limits and RG tools increase the risk of uncontrolled losses.

Frequent questions

Is it possible to "bypass" the ban via VPN and play on foreign domains?

Technically, some players do this, but legally it remains a game outside the French field: there is no local protection, there are no guarantees for payments, advertising and bonus practices are not under the supervision of ANJ.

And if it is a "social casino" without withdrawing money?

Games without cash winnings are not equal to the licensed vertical. Even "entertainment" models with monetization of digital objects are regulated separately and do not turn slots/roulette into a legal online casino product.

Is a live casino with a studio in Europe legal?

No, if the game is available online to players from France: the geography of the studio does not cancel the French ban on the online vertical itself.

How to recognize a legal site (short checklist)

The site clearly indicates the ANJ license and vertical (sports, poker, horse racing, lotto).

There are mandatory self-control tools: deposit/time limits, self-exclusion, age control.

Marketing is moderate, without "traps" and excessive promises.

There is no online roulette, blackjack, slots in the catalog.

Practical recommendations to the player

1. Stay in the legal segment. Betting, poker, lotto and horse racing are the only online formats allowed.

2. Planning a classic casino? Choose ground halls: it is legal and safer.

3. Keep the rhythm and budget. Time/amount limits, breaks, sober goals - basic hygiene of responsible play.

4. Beware of "too generous" offers. This is often a sign of an unregulated site.

France bans online roulette, online blackjack and online slots. The regulatory logic is simple: protect gamblers and preserve the offline casino ecosystem by transferring "fast" gambling verticals to the controlled environment of terrestrial halls. If you need a French casino experience, plan an offline visit; online betting, poker, horse racing and lotto remain under the supervision of ANJ.