French gambling regulator orders ISPs to block Polymarket
France's gambling authority, ANJ, has ordered internet service providers to geoblock Polymarket, classifying its prediction market operations as illegal gambling.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
The French National Gambling Authority (ANJ) has mandated ISPs to block access to Polymarket, citing concerns over its classification as unauthorized gambling, potential market manipulation, and a lack of protective mechanisms. This move aligns with similar regulatory actions taken by numerous other countries against the platform.
Imagine a game where you bet on who will win a race or what the weather will be tomorrow. Polymarket is like a big online version of that game. But the grown-up gambling police in France said it's like an illegal game because it doesn't follow their rules, like checking who people are or making sure no one cheats. They're worried some bets might be unfair, like someone secretly changing the race results, so they told internet companies to block it, just like a parent might block a website they think is unsafe.
Analysis
France's Stance on Prediction Markets
France's Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), the National Gambling Authority, has taken a decisive step by ordering internet service providers to block access to Polymarket within the country. The ANJ explicitly stated that prediction websites are considered illegal gambling under French law, and Polymarket's operations are not authorized. The regulator emphasized that advertising unauthorized gambling sites is a criminal offense, carrying potential fines of up to 100,000 euros ($114,000).
The ANJ's concerns extend beyond mere authorization, highlighting what it calls "addictive features" on Polymarket. These features, according to the authority, are similar to those found in regulated gambling offerings but are "amplified by the absence of the protective mechanisms found in the legal gambling market." This regulatory move follows initial plans shared by the French gambling authority in November 2024, indicating a sustained effort to enforce national gambling laws against the platform.
Global Regulatory Pressure and Manipulation Concerns
Polymarket's regulatory challenges are not isolated to France. The platform has faced increasing scrutiny globally, leading to geoblocking in at least 36 regions worldwide. Countries such as Singapore, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil, and Indonesia have already taken similar measures to restrict access to the prediction market. This widespread regulatory action reflects a global trend of authorities grappling with how to classify and regulate decentralized prediction platforms.
Beyond the classification as illegal gambling, the French authority also cited serious concerns about potential outcome manipulation tied to some event contracts on Polymarket. The article specifically mentions that "some of the bets offered on this platform appeared to be rigged," providing an example of bets on weather outcomes where "weather sensors may have been hacked." This allegation points to a deeper level of concern regarding the integrity of the markets offered.
Investigations and Identity Verification Shortfalls
The issue of potential manipulation is not merely theoretical. The cybercrime unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into these matters in May 2026. This investigation reportedly uncovered a significant lack of identity verification, specifically the absence of Know Your Customer (KYC) checks on Polymarket. The lack of robust KYC procedures is a common point of contention for regulators, as it can facilitate illicit activities and makes it difficult to ensure fair play and prevent fraud.
US regulators are also actively scrutinizing prediction markets. Kentucky, for instance, sued five prediction market platforms, including Kalshi and Polymarket, in June 2026, accusing them of operating unlicensed sports betting platforms. This state-level action has been followed by at least 17 other states. Conversely, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has sued eight states, arguing that they interfered with the federal regulator’s exclusive authority over federally regulated event contracts, indicating a complex and evolving legal landscape for these platforms.
Key points
- France's National Gambling Authority (ANJ) ordered ISPs to geoblock Polymarket, classifying its prediction markets as illegal gambling.
- The ANJ cited concerns over 'addictive features,' lack of protective mechanisms, and potential outcome manipulation, including 'rigged' weather bets.
- An investigation by the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office found a lack of identity verification (KYC) on Polymarket.
- Polymarket is now geoblocked in 36 regions globally, including Singapore, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil, and Indonesia.
- US regulators, including Kentucky and the CFTC, are also scrutinizing prediction markets, leading to lawsuits and debates over regulatory authority.
The increasing number of regions blocking Polymarket, coupled with ongoing investigations into manipulation and KYC failures, suggests a challenging future for the platform and other decentralized prediction markets, potentially leading to further operational restrictions and legal battles. This trend could severely limit their global reach and user base, hindering their growth and adoption in regulated markets.
