How to verify the license of an online casino: Practical Guide ANJ 2026

To verify the license of an online casino, locate the regulator's logo and the approval number in the footer. Copy this identifier and enter it into the official public register of the authority that issued it. In France, only registration on the list of operators approved by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) guarantees complete legal protection and effective recourse in the event of a dispute.

Distinguishing international licenses from French authorization

A distinction must be made between international validity and a French authorization. Only the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) issues legal approvals for residents of France. A foreign license, even a reputable one like that of Malta or Curacao, offers no local legal protection or recourse in the event of a dispute on French soil.

The strict legal framework of the ANJ

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is the sole regulator authorized to supervise the gambling market in France. Its role stems directly from Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010, which opened the market to sports betting, horse racing betting, and poker, while maintaining the strict ban on online casino games (slot machines, roulette). This legislation aims to protect players against the risks of addiction and fraud. Thus, an operator cannot claim to be legal in France without appearing on the List of approved operators maintained by the ANJ. Any "casino" offer outside this framework constitutes an infringement of Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010, exposing the player to major financial risks with no possible recourse before French courts.

Why MGA and Curacao licenses are insufficient

Although the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and Curacao eGaming are internationally recognized regulatory bodies, their licenses have no legal value in France for casino games. Playing on a site holding such a license means giving up the protection of the ANJ. In the event of blocked funds or non-payment, the French player cannot contact either the local regulatory authority or the Judicial Court of Paris. Data security and algorithm transparency, although guaranteed by audits such as those from eCOGRA on approved sites, remain unverifiable and not legally binding for these offshore platforms.

A UKGC or Curacao license does not legally authorize the operation of casino games (excluding poker and sports betting) for French residents, in accordance with the Law of May 12, 2010. Only an ANJ license guarantees complete legal protection and possible recourse in the event of a dispute.

Tutorial: locate and validate the approval number

To know how to verify an online casino license step by step, start by locating the Approval Number in the Footer of the site. Copy this unique identifier and consult the public register of the issuing authority (ANJ, MGA) to confirm that the Gaming License is active and corresponds exactly to the operator. This cross-verification is essential to avoid fraudulent platforms that display false certifications.

Locating legal information in the footer

The first step is to visually inspect the user interface, specifically the bottom of the page. The Footer of the site acts as the legal identity card of the platform. This is where the mandatory Legal Notices must appear. Look for a logo or text indicating the regulatory authority (such as the ANJ for France, or the MGA and Curacao internationally) accompanied by a distinctive alphanumeric code.

Analysis of market practices shows that transparent operators make this logo clickable. If the link does not redirect to a dynamic validation page on the regulator's official website, but remains a static image or links to an internal page of the casino, this is a major red flag. The complete absence of this information in the footer constitutes a flagrant violation of transparency standards and should prompt you to leave the site immediately.

Cross-verification on the official register

Once the number is identified, technical validation becomes crucial. Never rely solely on the display on the casino site. Go to the official portal of the cited issuing body (for example, the ANJ website or that of the Malta Gaming Authority) and use their public search engine. Enter the Approval Number or the commercial name of the operator.

This procedure allows you to confirm three essential points: the status of the license (active or revoked), the exact identity of the holding company, and the authorized jurisdictions. The most reliable method to verify the legality of a site is to consult the List of approved operators published directly on the official ANJ website. This public database exclusively lists operators authorized to operate in France, such as PokerStars or Winamax for poker, and FDJ for betting. If an online casino does not appear in this register, it is operating illegally. Before making any deposit, cross-reference this information with the presence of a clickable link to the regulator's register at the bottom of the page, a distinctive sign of transparency recommended by compliance experts.

Identifying the signs of an illegal or fraudulent site

Recognizing an illegal site relies on analyzing the inconsistencies between marketing promises and regulatory reality. A fraudulent site often omits detailed Legal Notices or displays regulator logos without providing a verifiable link to the public register. Furthermore, the absence of independent audit certificates (such as eCOGRA) regarding game fairness is a high-risk indicator.

If the Judicial Court of Paris has no jurisdiction over the operating entity because it is based in a non-cooperative offshore jurisdiction, your funds are not protected. In case of doubt about legal validity, do not deposit any money. Always favor operators whose Gaming License is clearly linked to a recognized authority and whose data perfectly matches the official registers, thus ensuring maximum security for your data and transactions.

Technical guarantees: SSL, audits, and game fairness

To complete the how to verify an online casino license step by step, technical analysis is essential. A reliable site protects your data via a robust SSL Certificate and submits its software to independent audits conducted by organizations like eCOGRA, GLI, or iTech Labs. These certifications guarantee that encryption is active and that return to player (RTP) rates comply with promises, thus ensuring a transparent and secure gaming experience.

The SSL protocol and the secure payment system

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is the fundamental technology that ensures Data Security during your transactions. In practice, this protocol creates an encrypted tunnel between your browser and the casino's servers, making your personal and banking information unreadable to any malicious third party. To verify its presence, look for the padlock in the address bar and ensure that the URL begins with HTTPS. A valid SSL Certificate is the minimum expected standard. Its absence or a certificate error should immediately alert you to the site's vulnerability. This layer of protection is crucial, as it prevents the interception of sensitive data during deposits or withdrawals, forming the basis of a Secure Payment System.

The role of independent auditors (eCOGRA, GLI)

A serious casino is audited by these bodies to prove that it does not manipulate results. Third-party entities like eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) and GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) carry out rigorous checks to validate the integrity of the platforms. eCOGRA is particularly recognized for its fair gaming certifications and commitment to responsible gaming, while GLI specializes in in-depth technical testing. You will generally find their logos at the bottom of the page, linked to active certification reports.

Understanding RTP and software certification

Fairness also relies on pure mathematics, verified by laboratories like iTech Labs. This body specializes in the certification of Certified Gaming Software, with a particular focus on the proper functioning of random number generators (RNG). iTech Labs thus guarantees that each spin of a machine or card deal is completely unpredictable and unbiased. These audits also verify the RTP (Return to Player), which is the theoretical percentage redistributed to players over the long term. By cross-referencing GLI's validations for infrastructure and iTech Labs' for randomness, you get a solid guarantee that the Online Casino respects industrial fairness standards.

Player protection: KYC, withdrawals, and recourse

For how to verify an online casino license step by step, validation does not stop at the logo: it requires an analysis of compliance procedures. A legal operator systematically imposes the KYC (Know Your Customer) protocol before any withdrawal, ensuring that your data is protected and that the funds come from a legitimate source. This administrative rigor is the true marker of reliability, much more than a simple marketing promise.

The mandatory KYC procedure before withdrawal

The KYC process, meaning "Know Your Customer", is not an option but a strict legal obligation imposed by regulatory authorities like the ANJ to fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. This identity verification is essential because it confirms that you are indeed the declared person and that you are of legal age, thus protecting the integrity of the gaming system.

To validate this step, two main documents are required: A valid Identity Document (National Identity Card or Passport), which serves as formal proof of your real identity. A recent Proof of Address (utility or telephone bill), which attests to your residence and secures financial transactions.

These elements are directly linked to payment security: without this validation, the casino blocks withdrawals to comply with anti-fraud laws. In our tests, we observe that serious platforms request these documents upon registration or before the first major withdrawal, thus avoiding subsequent blocking of funds.

Read the T&Cs to avoid blocked funds

Beyond the license, the General Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) determine the actual security of your winnings. A common clause concerns betting limits and bonus rules: ignoring wagering requirements can lead to the cancellation of winnings. Certified casinos also integrate security protocols such as 256-bit SSL to encrypt your personal data during the transmission of KYC documents.

It is crucial to verify that the site has a clear privacy policy, explaining how your information is used. The lack of transparency regarding data processing or withdrawal conditions is a major red flag, often associated with unregulated operators who do not respect ANJ standards.

Role of the Ministry of the Interior and reporting

If a site refuses verification or seems to operate without a valid license in France, action must be taken. You can report an illegal operator directly to the ANJ, which maintains a blacklist of banned sites. The Ministry of the Interior also plays a key role by ordering the administrative blocking of illegal sites by internet service providers, thus preventing their access from French territory. To actively protect oneself, voluntary self-exclusion allows blocking access to all approved sites in France via the gambling self-exclusion file.

In case of difficulty or addictive behavior, the national telephone helpline for excessive gambling (Joueurs Info Service) offers free listening and support. This protective step is essential, as playing on an offshore site exposes you to a total risk of loss of funds without any possible legal recourse.

About this article - Writing & responsibility

• Author: Sarah Weber - Casino tester & bonus analyst

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

• Last updated: 2026-08-04.

This article on "how to verify an online casino license step by step" was written by Sarah Weber and reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both update the content regularly to reflect regulatory developments, 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 measures.

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. Pauses 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 regulations.