Unlicensed sites may now be blocked by the regulator regardless of whether they have targeted French consumers or not, a move that the ANJ hailed as "a major step forward in the fight against" unlawful gaming.
New legislation to "democratise sport in France" substitutes an administrative approach for the existing legal mechanism to shut illicit gambling sites. Consequently, the ANJ is relieved of the burden of proof regarding the advertising of such sites to French customers.
"The ANJ will be able to prevent access to sites which present very high risks in terms of addiction, reliability of gambling and money laundering operations, more quickly and effectively," the regulator stated.
Sites offering "an illegal offer of gambling" can now be ordered by the ANJ President to have their access to the internet blocked if they do not react to a "formal notice to cease this activity" within five days.
A priority goal for the ANJ for 2022, this legislative development is a big step forward in the fight against the illicit offer of gaming in France, it stated.
"It backs the new strategy of collaboration it has been working on for a while with all the major players in the digital space, including search engines, social media, content exchange platforms, and payment solution providers, to ensure that they are held responsible and to stop the spread of illicit offers."
Additionally, the ANJ is now obligated by the new law to "centralise and analyse" reports concerning questionable betting activities.
