France Blocks Access to Polymarket Amid Growing Scrutiny of Prediction Markets
Highlights
- France's regulator has blocked access to Polymarket site.
- The regulator stated that the prediction market platform is operating without authorization.
- It also noted that unauthorized betting or gambling site is a criminal offense.
France is cracking down on the crypto prediction market platform Polymarket, blocking access to the site. This comes amid growing scrutiny on these platforms, with U.S. state regulators flagging them as unlicensed betting platforms.
France Gaming Regulator Blocks Access To Polymarket
In a press release, the French gaming regulator, ANJ, announced that it has blocked the crypto prediction market platform. “The president of the National Gambling Authority ordered French internet service providers to block access to the Polymarket website. This website, which has a particularly large audience, promotes illegal gambling services,” the release read.
The ANJ noted that over the past two years, Polymarket has gained visitors in France with 578,751 visits and 205,057 unique visitors last June. The regulator added that the platform’s site displays real-time odds for various events open to betting, despite not being authorized to offer such services in the country.
The gaming regulator also noted that advertising for an unauthorized betting or gambling site is a criminal offense and may be subject to a €100,000 fine. “The same penalty also applies to anyone who, by any means whatsoever, has publicly disseminated the odds and payout ratios offered by these unauthorized sites for the purpose of promoting unlicensed online gambling sites,” the ANJ said.
This comes as prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi continue to face crackdowns from U.S. state regulators, who allege they operate as unlicensed sports betting platforms. There have also been concerns about insider trading, with the latest case involving Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator, who is facing a CFTC probe over bets placed on Kalshi.
French Regulator Says Some Bets Appear Rigged
The French gaming regulator stated that some of the bets that Polymarket offers appear rigged, as bets on the weather revealed that weather sensors may have been hacked. The regulator noted that an investigation into this matter was launched on May 4, 2026, by the cybercrime unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office and entrusted to the OFAC.
ANJ said that the case revealed that the top crypto prediction market platform had not implemented a user identification system to verify the integrity of French and European users.
It is worth noting that the gaming regulator stated in February that prediction sites are not authorized in France and are considered illegal gambling sites. It also urged users to exercise caution due to some of the addictive features on the site, which are amplified by the “absence of the protective mechanisms found in the legal gambling market”
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