France orders internet providers to block access to Polymarket prediction site

The French national gaming authority, ANJ, has officially ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket within French borders. This move follows a previous 2024 ban on financial transactions linked to the platform. Despite that initial restriction, traffic from French internet addresses to the prediction market surged, reaching over 578,000 visits last month. Regulators argue that the site effectively serves as an advertisement for unauthorized gambling, which carries significant criminal penalties under French law.

Regulators emphasize that promoting unauthorized gambling is a crime. Fines for such infractions can reach 100,000 euros. The government decision arrives alongside ongoing concerns about the integrity of prediction markets. Authorities noted several instances where these platforms intersected with criminal activity. A weather probe was hacked to influence market odds, and a soldier faced charges for placing bets based on classified information regarding a mission in Venezuela.

These concerns extend to high-level political operations as well. A recent incident involved a teleprompter operator for the White House who was suspended for betting on the specific content of presidential speeches. These events highlight the risks associated with information leakage and the manipulation of market outcomes. France is currently joining other European nations including Germany, Italy, and Spain in restricting access to these prediction services.

While France permits regulated online sports betting, the ANJ maintains that Polymarket operates outside the established legal framework. The block represents a firm stance against the unregulated nature of online prediction markets. Internet providers are expected to comply with the order to stop the influx of users attempting to circumvent national gaming laws.