The French government has directed internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict access to the online trading platform Polymarket, citing allegations that this decentralized cryptocurrency-based prediction market has enabled illegal gambling activities.
On July 17, France’s National Gambling Authority (ANJ) mandated ISPs to block their users from accessing Polymarket. The ANJ operates independently and is responsible for overseeing all legal gambling activities across France while also tackling illegal gambling practices.
Since March 2022, the ANJ has held the authority to instruct ISPs to restrict access to websites considered to facilitate illegal gambling. Following a thorough investigation lasting nearly two years, French authorities concluded that Polymarket engaged in gambling practices unauthorized within the country.
Ban on Prediction Markets
While several leading prediction market platforms have voluntarily limited access for users in France, Polymarket has not adhered to the ANJ’s ruling categorizing prediction markets as illegal gambling.
In its statement regarding Polymarket, the ANJ expressed concerns about potential insider trading affecting the contracts on the prediction market. The regulator also questioned whether Polymarket, being a decentralized platform reliant on cryptocurrency, had adequate mechanisms in place for customer verification.
“Certain bets available on this platform appeared manipulated; for instance, weather-related bets suggested hacking of weather sensors. An inquiry into this matter began on May 4, 2026, with the cybercrime unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office tasked with the investigation. This case highlighted the lack of a user identification system to verify user integrity on Polymarket’s platforms accessible to French and European users (commonly referred to as KYC, or ‘Know Your Customer’),” stated the ANJ.
The ANJ expressed concern regarding the growing traffic to Polymarket from France, noting over 205,057 unique visitors and 578,751 visits recorded in June alone.
“The homepage of the site, which dynamically shows real-time odds for various betting events, acts as a significant channel for promoting Polymarket’s offerings, despite their operations not being sanctioned in France. Any form of advertising for unauthorized gambling platforms is considered a criminal act,” the regulatory body elaborated.
Is Online Gambling Legal in France?
France does permit specific types of online gambling through licensed and regulated platforms. The legally recognized forms of online gambling include sports betting, online poker, and parimutuel betting on horse races.
However, online casino games, prediction markets, and peer-to-peer betting exchanges remain strictly prohibited.