French Regulator ANJ Orders Polymarket Block over Gambling Concerns

France's gambling regulator, Autorité nationale des jeux, has ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket. The regulator said that the prediction market platform is offering gambling products without the required authorization and, as such, poses associated public safety risks.

The ANJ said Polymarket's activities could lead to significant financial losses for users and create risks of market manipulation. The block took effect on July 16, and it will remain in place until Polymarket complies with French gambling rules.

The regulator previously asked Polymarket to prevent users in France from accessing the platform, stating that in June 2026 alone, Polymarket recorded 578,751 visits and 205,057 unique French visitors. However, the measures didn’t prevent French users from accessing the site, which ultimately led ISPs to block access directly.

Polymarket allows users to buy and sell contracts linked to the outcome of events, including sports matches, elections, and other real-world developments. French authorities consider some of these products to fall within the country's gambling rules rather than financial market regulations.

The ANJ also stated the platform's betting mechanics and the absence of certain consumer protection measures, including self-exclusion tools, are concerning. French authorities have separately investigated possible market manipulation linked to activity on prediction markets.

France is currently one of several countries to restrict access to Polymarket. Spain temporarily blocked Polymarket and Kalshi earlier this year, while regulators in other jurisdictions have also taken action against prediction market platforms over licensing and gambling concerns.