Internal Security Code and the 2019 Ordinance
The prohibition, the exceptions, and the penalties
Last verified: 2026-10-05
Article L. 320-1 of the Internal Security Code prohibits games of chance, article L. 320-6 lists the authorised exceptions, and Ordinance No. 2019-1015 of 2 October 2019 rewrote the framework, created the ANJ and set the penalties for unlicensed gambling.
Internal Security Code and the 2019 Ordinance
Overview
Gambling law sits in the Internal Security Code (Code de la sécurité intérieure, CSI). Article L. 320-1 prohibits games of chance, defined as operations offered to the public that create a hope of gain due at least partly to chance and require a financial sacrifice, a definition that also covers games relying on players’ skill. Article L. 320-6 lists the exceptions that may be authorised, such as casino games, and the Ordinance of 2 October 2019 rewrote these provisions, codified the State’s four policy objectives and created the ANJ.
Online gambling was opened to licensed competition by Act No. 2010-476 of 12 May 2010, which the Code still cites as the basis for authorised online sites. Minors, even emancipated, may not take part in authorised games, and operators must keep them out. Carrying out gambling operations in breach of the prohibition is punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a €90,000 fine, rising to seven years and €200,000 for an organised gang. The ANJ also describes a framework for games using monetisable digital objects (JONUM) that began on an experimental basis in early 2026.
The prohibition and its definition (art. L. 320-1). [1]
The rewritten L. 320-1 to L. 320-8 and the reference to the 2010 Act. [2]
The penal chapter (art. L. 324-1 et seq.). [3]
The Council of Ministers communiqué on the reform. [4]
Key facts
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Verified
French law prohibits gambling by default: article L. 320-1 of the Internal Security Code (Code de la sécurité intérieure, CSI) prohibits games of chance for money except as authorised under article L. 320-6, which lists the narrow exceptions (including games operated by casinos); the Government described the prohibition as in place since 1836 when it reformed regulation by ordinance in October 2019.
Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative), Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative), Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative)
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Verified
Online, France authorises only sports betting, horse-race betting and poker (“jeux de cercle”) offered by operators approved by the ANJ, plus lottery games under the FDJ exclusive right; casino games, and online slot machines in particular, are not authorised on the French market. Land-based casino games are offered in 202 gaming establishments and eight Paris gaming clubs.
Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ)
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Verified
Online sports betting, horse-race betting and poker were opened to licensed competition under Act No. 2010-476 of 12 May 2010 on opening to competition and regulation of the online gambling sector; the Internal Security Code refers to online gambling sites “authorised under” that Act, and the ANJ now grants the approvals that ARJEL previously issued.
Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative), Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative), Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ)
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Verified
Ordinance No. 2019-1015 of 2 October 2019 codified in the Internal Security Code the State’s four gambling-policy objectives (preventing excessive gambling and protecting minors; ensuring the integrity of gaming operations; balancing the different gambling sectors; preventing fraudulent activity) and created the ANJ as a single regulator for all authorised games; FDJ and PMU must submit their games programme, promotional strategy and prevention plans to the ANJ for annual approval.
Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative), Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ)
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Verified
Minors, even emancipated, may not take part in authorised games of chance (CSI art. L. 320-7), and lawful operators must prevent minors from taking part in the games they offer (art. L. 320-8); the ANJ states that selling gambling to minors is banned in shops and online.
Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative), Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ)
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Verified
Carrying out gambling operations in breach of the prohibition is punishable under CSI art. L. 324-1 by three years’ imprisonment and a €90,000 fine, rising to seven years and €200,000 where committed by an organised gang; advertising an unauthorised gambling site can be punished by a €100,000 fine.
Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative), Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), Lextenso (La base)
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Verified
The ANJ describes games using monetisable digital objects (JONUM) as an adjacent market whose experimental legal framework entered into force in early 2026, and says its first developments must be watched to keep them distinct from traditional gambling.
Sources
- Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative)Primary source — Code de la sécurité intérieure, article L320-1 — https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000039182525
- Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative)Primary source — Ordonnance n° 2019-1015 du 2 octobre 2019, article 2 (rewriting of CSI articles L. 320-1 et seq.) — https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/article_jo/JORFARTI000039167523
- Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative)Primary source — Ordonnance n° 2019-1015 du 2 octobre 2019, article 10 (penal provisions, CSI L. 324-1 et seq.) — https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/article_jo/JORFARTI000039167531
- Légifrance (Direction de l’information légale et administrative)Primary source — Ordonnance n° 2019-1015 du 2 octobre 2019 réformant la régulation des jeux d’argent et de hasard (dossier législatif) — https://legifrance.gouv.fr/affichOrdonnance.do?annee=&idDocument=JORFDOLE000039168176&legislature=&type=general