ANJ vs MGA License: Comparative guide for the French player

For a player in France, choosing between an ANJ license and an MGA license changes everything. It decides the legality of the games you have access to and the level of legal protection you benefit from. The ANJ only regulates sports betting, horse racing betting, and poker on national territory. The MGA, on the other hand, authorizes online casinos. A site approved by the ANJ is legal and protected by French law. A site under an MGA license operates in a gray area where you have no local recourse in case of a problem.

Legal framework: National Gaming Authority vs Malta Gaming Authority

The difference between the ANJ and MGA license for a French player lies in the scope of application and the nature of the protection. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) exclusively manages sports betting, horse racing, and poker in France. It strictly prohibits online casinos. In contrast, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) supervises a complete offering including slot machines. However, it operates outside the French legal framework. The player is then exposed to disputes not covered by the national mediator.

The regulated monopoly of the ANJ in France

The ANJ, or National Gaming Authority, is the French public body created in 2020. It succeeded ARJEL to supervise the entire gambling sector. Its mission stems from the strict application of Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010. This law opened the market while imposing rigorous safeguards against addiction and money laundering. The authority issues licenses only for sports betting, horse racing, and poker. It explicitly excludes casino games such as slot machines.

This restriction aims to protect players from increased addiction related to pure games of chance. It maintains a partial monopoly for Française des Jeux on these segments. The ANJ regularly blocks hundreds of illegal sites via internet service providers. This shows its commitment to enforcing this legal scope. For the player, having an account on an ANJ-approved site guarantees effective recourse in the event of a financial dispute. This is a security that is absent on offshore platforms.

The commercial flexibility of the MGA license

The MGA, short for Malta Gaming Authority, is a Malta-based regulator established in 2001. It is recognized for its balanced approach between player protection and commercial freedom. Unlike the ANJ, the MGA issues Remote Gaming Licenses. They authorize the full operation of online casinos, including slots and roulette. This flexibility allows operators to offer a wider library of games. Bonuses are often more generous than those allowed on the regulated French market.

Although considered a guarantee of reliability imposing high safety standards, the MGA license places the operator under Maltese jurisdiction, not French. Sites holding an MGA license are not subject to ANJ restrictions. They do not have to apply mandatory deposit limits or the ban on online table games. However, this openness complicates conflict resolution for the French player. They step outside the protective shield of French law.

The choice depends on your priority. Do you want legal peace of mind with the ANJ? Or do you prefer access to all casino games via the MGA, accepting the risks associated with the lack of local protection?

Game offering: Why online casinos are absent from the ANJ

The main divergence concerns the game offering. The National Gaming Authority strictly prohibits online casinos (slot machines, table games) on national soil. The Malta Gaming Authority actively regulates them. This divergence creates a legal vacuum filled by foreign operators. The player finds themselves in a zone of variable protection depending on whether they remain within the approved scope or not.

The strict ban on slot machines in France

Slots / Slot machines, defined as pure games of chance with rapid rotation, are completely prohibited for private operators in France. The legislator maintains this ban to limit the risks of addiction. It reserves the exclusivity of lottery games for Française des Jeux. No site holding a local license can therefore offer online roulette or blackjack. Playing these Slots / Slot machines via an MGA-licensed casino exposes the player to an increased risk. In the event of a financial dispute, the ANJ refuses any mediation because the operator is not subject to its jurisdiction. Consumer protection collapses as soon as you leave the French legal framework.

The only games authorized under ANJ license

The legal scope is exclusively limited to online sports betting, horse racing betting, and online poker. This online sports betting constitutes the core of the regulated offering. It allows major players like Betclic, Winamax, or Unibet to operate in full compliance. Unlike casino games, these disciplines are considered to involve an element of skill or to be less addictive by nature. Horse racing betting, historically managed by the PMU, coexists with these sports offerings under the strict supervision of the ANJ. Online poker, although a card game, is authorized because it is classified as a ring game. It thus offers a legal alternative for strategy enthusiasts.

Is a site with an MGA license legal in France?

An operator holding an MGA license that targets French players without a local license commits an offense. However, the player themselves is not criminally prosecuted. This situation corresponds to a "gray market". The site is illegal under French law, but its use remains tolerated for the individual. However, this situation deprives the user of national safety nets. For example, the blocking of fraudulent sites by ISPs imposed by the ANJ does not apply in the same way.

Security and protection: Player recourse and gray market

The difference between the ANJ and MGA license for a French player boils down to a state guarantee versus contractual protection. The National Gaming Authority offers direct legal recourse and automatic tax exemption. Operators under a Maltese license fall under the gray market. The bettor is exposed to the absence of local mediation and increased financial risks in the event of a dispute.

Responsible gaming tools imposed by the ANJ

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) acts as the ultimate guarantor of player protection on French territory. Its system is based on strict monitoring. It includes mandatory registration in the Gambling Self-Exclusion File (FIJ). This file physically prevents access to approved platforms for vulnerable individuals. This measure is accompanied by voluntary self-exclusion. This is a mechanism allowing any individual to block themselves irreversibly across the entire legal network.

Unlike more flexible European standards, the ANJ imposes strict deposit and betting limits to combat addiction. By accepting these constraints, the player benefits from a safety net. In the event of a problem, they can contact the gaming mediator. This is a free and effective body that does not exist for foreign sites. The role of the Player Assistance Service (such as Joueurs Info Service) must also be mentioned. It offers independent psychological and technical support, accessible regardless of the operator. Preventive effectiveness is reinforced by the legal framework of the ANJ.

The concrete risks of the gray market and offshore sites

The gray market refers to the digital space occupied by offshore operators. These are often licensed in Malta (MGA) or Curaçao. They target French residents without a local license. Although playing on these sites is not criminally prosecuted for the user, this gray area carries tangible dangers. They are linked to the fight against money laundering and fraud.

The main risks identified during our analyses include: Lack of payment guarantee: A site can close abruptly, leading to the total loss of deposited funds. Data vulnerability: Without strict GDPR compliance, personal information is exposed to resale. Technical blocking: The ANJ regularly orders internet service providers to block these domains. This cuts off access to the player's balance without notice.

Absence of French mediation for MGA disputes

A crucial question arises: can the ANJ intervene in the event of a problem with an MGA-licensed site? The answer is no. The French authority exclusively handles complaints against licensed operators. If an online casino based in Malta refuses a withdrawal, the French player finds themselves isolated. They do not have access to the national mediator.

This lack of local recourse means that any dispute must be resolved directly with the operator or through Maltese authorities. This is a procedure that is often complex, costly, and linguistically difficult for a French speaker. Furthermore, unlike winnings on ANJ sites which are tax-exempt, winnings on non-approved sites do not benefit from the same automatic traceability. This can complicate the justification of funds.

Practical implications: Taxation, payments, and verification

The difference between the ANJ and MGA license for a French player directly impacts the security of funds and taxation. While the ANJ License guarantees automatic tax exemption and state recourse, platforms under a Maltese Remote Gaming License offer fewer legal protections in the event of a dispute. The bettor is exposed to blocking risks and the absence of official mediation.

Taxation of winnings: ANJ vs foreign platforms

For a French player who is a tax resident, the source of winnings is crucial. On an approved site like Betclic, sports betting winnings are net and exempt from income tax. Conversely, although occasional winnings on an MGA site often remain untaxed in practice, the lack of French regulatory traceability can attract the attention of the tax authorities in the event of significant movements. Caution is advised. Without ANJ protection, no guarantee covers withholding tax or potential reporting complications.

How to verify the validity of a gaming license?

Verifying the legitimacy of an operator requires consulting official registers. For the ANJ License, the whitelist on anj.fr is authoritative. It is complemented by the presence of the clickable logo at the bottom of the page. For a Remote Gaming License (MGA), you must look for the license number in the footer and cross-reference it with the Maltese authority's database. This diligence is essential because an illegal site displays none of these guarantees, increasing the risk of fraud.

Risk of blocking and continuity of service

Access stability varies radically depending on the license. Non-approved sites suffer DNS blocks imposed by French ISPs. They cut off access to the balance overnight. Furthermore, the game offering is restricted. The ANJ bans slot machines to protect players. It imposes a minimum Return to Player (RTP) rate of 85% only on poker. On MGA sites, this Return to Player (RTP) rate can vary without French control. The player does not benefit from any recourse to the ANJ in the event of account blocking or non-payment.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

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

Last updated: 2026-08-24.

This article on “difference between ANJ and MGA license for French players” was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory changes, licenses, and bonus conditions. 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. Areas: 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 (Gambling Self-Exclusion File (FIJ)). Set deposit and loss limits before playing with real money. Breaks and cooldown tools are levers for sustainable enjoyment.

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.