French Regulator Clarifies Evidence Needed to Act on Player Fraud

French gambling operators cannot refuse to pay winnings or release player balances merely because activity appears suspicious, according to new guidance from France’s National Gambling Authority (ANJ).

The ANJ guide says decisions must be supported by evidence assessed in context. A player’s failure to answer an operator’s questions may strengthen existing concerns but does not prove fraud by itself. Its review of French case law shows cases in which courts have assessed combinations of evidence, including IP history, devices used, connection times, and similarities in betting patterns or playing activity. ANJ notes that relatives using the same device is not, on its own, enough to establish account sharing.

Announced on August 31, the guidance supplements existing rules and applies to gambling services requiring players to register online, including online lotteries and account-based retail gambling. Cases that involve suspected money laundering or terrorist financing remain subject to the applicable AML/CFT rules.

ANJ divides the conduct covered into five groups, namely civil identity fraud, payment-method fraud, abusive chargebacks, gambling fraud, and “money dumping,” in which money is transferred between accounts disguised as a transfer of chips during a poker game. 

Except where a victim’s player account has been hacked, ANJ recommends closing accounts once fraud is supported by sufficient evidence. Balances may be reserved where the player’s identity or nominated bank account cannot be verified, while fraudulently obtained poker winnings may be redistributed among affected participants if the operator’s terms clearly provide for this. Operators must determine the appropriate response case by case.