ANJ promises legal action against ‘illicit’ Cresus Casino

The French gambling regulator has vowed to remove access to the Cresus Casino brand “as soon as possible” after it allegedly circumvented an order for internet service providers to block visits to the site.

L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) said in a statement it will pursue legal action against the brand’s owners and those who profit from its “illicit activity,” after “numerous reports” suggested some customers are not receiving their winnings.

On June 20, the ANJ ordered internet service providers to block access to the Cresus Casino platform but said on Thursday that it was made accessible again by the operator creating a new address.

The operator said “technical improvements” were behind the domain change, the ANJ reported.

“The ANJ wishes to draw the public’s attention to the dangers of this site, which has particularly high audiences and about which it receives numerous reports from people who do not receive their winnings,” it said in a statement.

“Actions will be taken by the ANJ to block all access to this site as soon as possible. Steps will also be taken to ensure that legal action is taken against the operator of this site and the individuals who profit from its illicit activity in France.

“In addition, European regulators are actively cooperating to combat illegal supply on an international scale.”

The ANJ noted the “serious risks” of playing on illegal sites such as payment fraud and no protection in the event of litigation.

The French regulator has blocked 650 URLs since the beginning of 24.

Illegal gambling offerings are punishable in France by a three-year prison sentence and a fine of €90,000 – up to seven years and €200,000 if offered by an organised gang.

Online casino remains illegal in France, but there is clamour from industry, including from the European Gaming and Betting Association, to legalise the activity.

Such pressure is mounting in the M&A sector with French operator FDJ’s £2.1bn acquisition of Kindred Group, which owns Unibet and other brands, to form a larger pan-European operator group.

French politican Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party’s stance on gambling policy could also yet play a role, as the party seeks to be elected this summer.