France Orders Polymarket Block Ahead of World Cup Final, Citing Illegal Gambling

France’s gambling regulator has ordered internet service providers to block access to prediction-market platform Polymarket ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The Block reported on July 19 that France’s National Gaming Authority, or ANJ, told domestic internet service providers on July 16 to block the site, saying Polymarket was offering illegal gambling and betting services. The regulator said users could be exposed to substantial gambling losses and that some betting markets could be open to manipulation.

The move came just days before the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Polymarket’s market on the tournament winner has generated more than $4 billion in cumulative trading volume, making it the largest single market in the platform’s history. Rival prediction-market platform Kalshi has handled more than $1.27 billion in trading volume in markets tied to the final.

Polymarket had already restricted trading by users in France after receiving formal notice from the ANJ in November 2024. Since then, it had allowed users in the country only to view market information. Even so, the platform recorded about 578,751 visits in France last month and 205,057 unique visitors.

ANJ objected to the fact that real-time betting odds remained visible on Polymarket’s homepage even after trading was restricted. It views that as advertising for an unlicensed gambling service. Promoting unauthorized betting sites in France can carry a fine of up to 100,000 euros, and the block will remain in place until Polymarket complies with local regulations.

Authorities are also examining possible manipulation in some prediction markets. Paris prosecutors’ cybercrime unit opened an investigation in May after concerns emerged that sensors used in weather-related bets may have been hacked.

Regulatory pressure on Polymarket is spreading across Europe. The Czech Finance Ministry ordered internet operators to block access to the platform on July 13, and Portugal imposed a similar block in January.