France orders internet providers to block Polymarket ahead of World Cup final
France’s National Gambling Authority has directed internet service providers to block access to the prediction market platform Polymarket. This regulatory action arrives just days before the World Cup final, which stands as the largest event market in the platform’s history. The regulator argues that the site facilitates illegal gambling and exposes users to potential financial losses.
The order follows a previous directive from November 2024, which forced the company to restrict trading for French users. Despite that move, the regulator notes that hundreds of thousands of unique visitors from France accessed the site in June. Officials state that displaying live odds even in restricted modes constitutes illegal promotion of unauthorized gambling services. Companies that fail to comply with these orders face significant criminal penalties under French law.
Beyond legal concerns regarding gambling, the regulator pointed to potential manipulation of specific market outcomes. Reports indicate that the Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit began an investigation in May regarding suspicious activity on weather-related bets. These actions place France among a growing number of jurisdictions, including the Czech Republic and Portugal, that are increasing pressure on prediction markets.
For traders, this creates a significant hurdle as the World Cup final approaches. The event has generated massive interest, with billions in volume across various platforms. The regulator maintains that the block on service providers will remain in effect until the platform aligns with local gambling statutes.