France Blocks ISPs from Accessing Polymarket Amid Regulatory Pressure

France Orders ISPs to Block Access to Polymarket

France’s National Gambling Authority (ANJ) has mandated internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, a prediction market platform. This action escalates a regulatory conflict that commenced in 2024 and reflects growing scrutiny on unauthorized gambling services in the country.

Background of the Regulatory Dispute

The order was issued on July 16, 2026, after the ANJ noted that users were able to bypass previous geoblocking attempts aimed at curtailing local access. The authority asserts that Polymarket operates unlawfully, promoting gambling services without proper authorization under French law.

Concerns Over Illegal Gambling Activities

The ANJ has raised serious concerns regarding Polymarket, emphasizing that the platform qualifies as an illegal gambling service. Promoting such a service can incur fines up to €100,000, which also applies to individuals disseminating odds or payout ratios linked to unlicensed gambling platforms. Despite regulatory measures, Polymarket’s user base in France reportedly expanded significantly, with data indicating it received over 578,000 visits in June 2026 alone.

Increased Oversight and Legal Pressures

Polymarket has been under ANJ’s surveillance since November 2024, with investigations revealing potential issues such as inadequate identity verification for users. The authority has also expressed concerns regarding the integrity of event markets, suggesting that some bets might be influenced or rigged, and raised alarms about the security of weather sensors involved in certain predictions.

Adverse Effects and Ongoing Investigations

A cybercrime investigation linked to these matters was initiated on May 4, focusing on how well Polymarket identifies and verifies its users before granting access. Additionally, scholarly work led by Stanford University highlighted risks of contract settlement manipulations within the platform, further complicating its operational legitimacy.

Wider European Regulatory Trends

The crackdown on Polymarket is part of a larger trend among European regulators regarding prediction markets, with some treating them strictly as gambling services while financial authorities evaluate them against securities regulations. In a recent assertion, the European Securities and Markets Authority indicated that certain event-driven contracts could be categorized as financial instruments under existing EU directives.

Legal Challenges in the U.S.

Polymarket is also encountering legal challenges in the United States, particularly in Kentucky, where state officials have taken legal action for allegedly conducting sports betting without proper licenses. This is part of a broader dispute over the jurisdiction and regulatory authority concerning prediction markets.

Conclusion

With France’s directive to block Polymarket, the platform now faces a significant barrier in a growing environment of regulatory restrictions. The ANJ has signaled its intent to continue monitoring Polymarket, particularly regarding any new measures it implements to ensure compliance with identity and location verification.