France Orders ISPs to Block Polymarket, Calling Prediction Markets Illegal Gambling
Summary
- France’s National Gaming Authority, or ANJ, ordered access to global prediction market platform Polymarket to be blocked after determining that it was an illegal gambling site.
- ANJ classified prediction markets as illegal gambling and tightened related regulations, citing addiction-inducing structures, the absence of betting limits, and the lack of self-exclusion features.
- Polymarket is already restricted in more than 30 countries, while France blocked about 1,290 gambling-related websites last year.
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France has ordered internet service providers to block access to global prediction market platform Polymarket.
CoinDesk reported on July 19 that France’s National Gaming Authority, known as ANJ, recently instructed domestic internet service providers to block the site after determining that Polymarket operates as an illegal gambling platform.
ANJ opened an investigation in 2024 into whether Polymarket complied with French gambling laws. In February, the regulator classified prediction markets as illegal gambling and tightened related rules. It cited structures that can encourage addiction, as well as the absence of betting limits and self-exclusion features.
The regulator also objected to Polymarket’s live odds. ANJ said a homepage that dynamically displays real-time odds across a range of events available for betting is a key tool for expanding and promoting Polymarket’s unlicensed services in France.
France blocked about 1,290 gambling-related websites last year. Polymarket’s services are already restricted in more than 30 countries.
JOON HYOUNG LEE
gilson@bloomingbit.ioCrypto Journalist based in Seoul