France orders country's internet service providers to block Polymarket

France’s gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has directed internet service providers to block access to Polymarket. This move officially classifies the platform as an illegal gambling site, rejecting its status as a financial trading venue. The regulator cites concerns regarding addictive mechanics, the absence of self-exclusion tools, and persistent user activity despite previous restrictions.

Data indicates that over 200,000 unique French visitors accessed the site in June alone, often utilizing tools like VPNs to bypass existing barriers. The ANJ views the real-time display of odds for various events as a primary channel for unauthorized gambling promotion. The authority warns that continued non-compliance could result in significant fines.

This decision follows multiple complaints and investigations within France, including a probe by the Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit into market manipulation involving weather-based bets. Officials have also pointed to instances where high-stakes trades from identifiable accounts impacted market outcomes, such as during the 2024 U.S. election cycle.

France is not alone in this enforcement action. More than 30 jurisdictions have now restricted Polymarket. Recent months have seen similar blocks enacted across Europe and beyond, as regulators tighten oversight on prediction markets that operate outside conventional financial licensing frameworks. The ANJ is prioritizing consumer protection and national gambling law enforcement as these platforms continue to expand.