France's National Gambling Authority ordered domestic internet service providers to block access to Polymarket on July 16, 2026, with the regulator publicly confirming the measure on July 17, 2026. The blocking order targets the cryptocurrency-based prediction market platform over concerns about illegal gambling, potential manipulation, and consumer losses. The enforcement action escalates France's regulatory stance against unauthorized prediction markets, moving beyond voluntary geographic restrictions to mandatory ISP-level blocking while the platform remains noncompliant with French gambling regulations.
ANJ Implements ISP-Level Access Restriction
The president of France's National Gambling Authority, known as the Autorité Nationale des Jeux, issued the blocking order on July 16, 2026. The regulator publicly confirmed the measure one day later, describing Polymarket as a platform with a particularly large audience that was promoting an unauthorized gambling and betting service. A spokesperson for the authority said the restriction would remain in place for as long as Polymarket was considered noncompliant with French gambling regulations.
The order places responsibility directly on internet providers to prevent users from accessing the platform. Polymarket had previously restricted French users after the ANJ examined its operations in November 2024, following intense attention around a French trader who made large wagers on Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election. The company did not immediately respond publicly to the announcement.
French Gambling Law Classifies Prediction Contracts as Unauthorized Wagering
Polymarket allows users to buy and sell outcome-based contracts tied to elections, sporting events, economic developments, weather and geopolitical conflicts. Contracts generally settle at $1 if an event occurs and zero if it does not, with prices fluctuating according to market demand.
French law broadly prohibits public operations that require a financial contribution and offer the prospect of a gain that depends at least partly on chance. Permitted exceptions are tightly controlled and include licensed online sports betting, horse-racing wagers and certain poker games. The ANJ said Polymarket's structure could expose users to significant losses. The regulator also raised concerns about the integrity of certain contracts, including weather markets where participants might have access to non-public information.
France's framework requires authorized gambling operators to implement safeguards addressing excessive gambling, underage participation, account restrictions, transparency and financial crime. Crypto-based platforms operating without a French licence may not provide equivalent protections or participate in the country's formal responsible-gambling system.
Spain Blocked Polymarket and Kalshi in May 2026
The French action forms part of a broader regulatory challenge for rapidly expanding prediction markets. Spain temporarily blocked Polymarket and rival Kalshi in May 2026 while investigating whether they were offering gambling services without the required authorization. Other jurisdictions have also restricted Polymarket through national domain-blocking systems or licensing enforcement.
The platforms face a different regulatory debate in the United States, where prediction contracts can fall under federal derivatives law rather than state gambling law. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission released draft rules for prediction markets in June, as lawmakers and state regulators continued to dispute whether event contracts linked to sports, politics and public tragedies should be permitted.
Polymarket Revenue Exceeded $1 Billion Annualized
The enforcement pressure comes as Polymarket's business expands sharply. A source familiar with the company's finances told Reuters in June that its annualized revenue had exceeded $1 billion.
France's block is unlikely to end domestic demand entirely because technically sophisticated users may attempt to circumvent access restrictions. However, it limits mainstream distribution, raises compliance costs and signals that European regulators are increasingly unwilling to accept financial-market terminology as a substitute for local gambling authorization.
FAQ
What did France's National Gambling Authority do on July 16, 2026?
The president of France's National Gambling Authority issued a blocking order on July 16, 2026, requiring domestic internet service providers to block access to Polymarket. The regulator publicly confirmed the measure on July 17, 2026, describing Polymarket as a platform with a particularly large audience promoting an unauthorized gambling and betting service.
Why does French law prohibit Polymarket's operations?
French law broadly prohibits public operations that require a financial contribution and offer the prospect of a gain that depends at least partly on chance. Permitted exceptions are tightly controlled and include licensed online sports betting, horse-racing wagers and certain poker games. Polymarket operates without a French licence and does not participate in the country's formal responsible-gambling system.
How did Spain respond to prediction market platforms in May 2026?
Spain temporarily blocked Polymarket and rival Kalshi in May 2026 while investigating whether they were offering gambling services without the required authorization. Other jurisdictions have also restricted Polymarket through national domain-blocking systems or licensing enforcement.
