French authorities instructed internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, citing unauthorized gambling activities and potential event manipulation risks. The directive, issued by the National Gambling Authority (ANJ) on Friday, follows an initial warning in November 2024.
Polymarket is already geoblocked in 36 regions worldwide. The Paris prosecutor's office began investigating the platform in May 2026, focusing on its failure to implement identity verification and KYC controls.
Regulatory Measures and Risks
The ANJ classified predictive markets like Polymarket as illegal gambling under French law when operating without proper authorization. It highlighted addictive mechanisms resembling regulated gambling but lacking consumer protections. More seriously, some contracts appeared manipulated. Weather-related bets raised suspicions after reports suggested meteorological sensors might have been hacked to influence results.
French authorities warn that promoting unauthorized gambling sites can incur fines up to 100,000 euros. Despite restrictions, Polymarket continues to report billions in traded volume and an expanding user base.
France joins countries such as Singapore, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil, and Indonesia that have blocked Polymarket. Legal pressure is also mounting in the U.S., where Kentucky recently filed a lawsuit against Polymarket and four other predictive market platforms.
This content provides information only and does not constitute financial advice.
