Cresus Casino Shut Down in France: A Major Setback for Illegal Online Gambling

Cresus Casino, one of the most popular online casinos among French players, was permanently blocked by the ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux) on June 20, 2024. This unregulated casino attracted more than 3 million monthly visitors before its closure. After several failed attempts to relaunch, the official Cresus Casino website was finally taken offline in early 2025 under growing pressure from the ANJ.

Key Highlights of the Cresus Casino Block

• As of 2025, the official Cresus Casino website is permanently closed, displaying an alert message to players.

• The ANJ worked with internet service providers to block France’s largest illegal online casino.

• With over 2 million monthly visitors, Cresus Casino was among the most visited gambling platforms in France.

• After the shutdown, the platform quickly switched to a new domain name, which is also facing ANJ blocking measures.

• Online casinos remain illegal in France, despite attracting millions of players each year without regulation, responsible gaming practices, or data protection guarantees.

Official Cresus Casino Site Closed in 2025

Following months of enforcement action, the ANJ succeeded in shutting down Cresus Casino. The site now displays a clear closure message, preventing both new registrations and player logins.

At present, French players are not legally allowed to access online casinos, though discussions on potential legalization may take place in 2025.

Players of Cresus Casino faced significant risks, including:

• Blocked withdrawals and withheld winnings.

• Aggressive deposit requests via credit cards.

• No player protections or guarantees.

By contrast, licensed gambling in France includes poker, sports betting, and lottery games. Around 15 legal operators currently hold official licenses from the ANJ.

Cresus Casino Relaunches on a New Domain

Despite the official shutdown, Cresus Casino resurfaced under a new web address in July 2024. For several months, players regained access to its slot machines, but withdrawals remained uncertain.

The ANJ acknowledged the workaround but faced challenges in blocking the new mirror site, which continues to attract a loyal community of French players.

On review platforms like TrustPilot, Cresus Casino receives mostly negative ratings, with a few paid testimonials attempting to restore credibility. Today, the platform is no longer considered reliable.

Cresus Casino Blocked by the ANJ: A Blow to Illegal Online Casinos

The ANJ officially confirmed that Cresus Casino was blocked on June 20, 2024.

Despite the ban, online casino games remain highly popular among French players. VPNs and mobile internet access make it easy to bypass restrictions, fueling the growth of unlicensed gambling platforms.

Cresus Casino was a major player in this industry, with over 3.2 million visitors in June 2024, making its closure a significant victory for French regulators.

Why Cresus Casino Was Shut Down: Unpaid Winnings

The ANJ reported multiple complaints from players about unpaid winnings, which triggered the casino’s immediate blockage.

Illegal gambling platforms often use the same manipulative strategies:

• Encouraging players to deposit more funds.

• Making withdrawals slow, complex, or impossible.

• Promising high return-to-player (RTP) rates to keep users hooked.

Main Risks of Playing at Online Casinos in France

⚠️ Playing at an online casino in France means using an illegal platform.

➡️ 100% of illegal casinos are based offshore, often in tax havens, leaving players with no legal recourse.
➡️ Data security is not guaranteed. Personal and banking details may be sold to third parties.
➡️ No responsible gaming safeguards are in place, leading to gambling addiction risks.
➡️ Winnings are never guaranteed—casinos may refuse payment, close accounts, or rebrand under a new domain.

Cresus Casino Launches a Mirror Site

After losing its original domain, Cresus Casino quickly launched cresus-casino.com, a mirror site identical to the original.

This tactic mirrors the strategy of torrent and streaming platforms, which often bypass administrative blocks by switching domains.

The ANJ has already confirmed that it will seek to block the new site as well.

Legal Proceedings Against Cresus Casino Operators

Beyond technical blocking, the ANJ has initiated legal action against Cresus Casino operators.

Under French law:

• Running an illegal gambling operation can result in 3 years of imprisonment and a €90,000 fine.

• When conducted by an organized group, the penalties increase to 7 years in prison and €200,000 in fines.

The Debate: Should Online Casinos Be Legalized in France?

The Cresus Casino case highlights the limits of blocking illegal sites. Despite repeated bans, mirror sites appear within days, making enforcement difficult.

France faces a paradox:

• The country has over 200 licensed land-based casinos, more than any other European nation relative to population.

• Yet, online casinos remain banned, even though they generate billions of euros in untaxed revenue abroad.

Given the success of regulated poker, sports betting, and horse racing, many argue that France should legalize online casinos under strict ANJ regulation. This would provide:

• A secure gambling environment.

• Player protections and responsible gaming measures.

• Significant tax revenue for the French government.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Online Gambling in France

The shutdown of Cresus Casino is a major victory for the ANJ, but it raises broader questions:

• Will blocking mirror sites ever be truly effective?

• How can French players be better educated about the risks of illegal gambling?

• Should France finally move toward a legal framework for online casinos?

The answers to these questions will determine the future of the French online gambling industry.

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