France Orders Nationwide Block of Polymarket Over Illegal Gambling Concerns

France’s gambling regulator has ordered a nationwide block on access to prediction-market platform Polymarket.

Reuters reported on July 17 that the National Gambling Authority, known as ANJ, instructed French internet service providers to block access to the Polymarket website. In a statement, the regulator said the site has attracted a large number of users and is promoting illegal gambling and betting.

An ANJ spokesperson said the restrictions will remain in place as long as Polymarket is deemed not to comply with French gambling regulations.

The regulator said users have also placed bets on markets such as weather forecasts, raising concerns that insider information may have been misused.

Regulators in several countries are tightening oversight of prediction-market platforms as services such as Polymarket and Kalshi gain popularity. The platforms allow users to bet on a broad range of topics, from sports events and election results to geopolitical developments related to the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

In May, Spain temporarily banned Polymarket and Kalshi from operating in the country. In June, the U.S. released a new draft regulatory framework for the prediction-market industry, signaling a broader move toward enforcement.