France Orders ISPs to Block Access to Polymarket

France.- 21 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket across the country. The regulator considers that the platform offers products that should be subject to French betting and gambling legislation.

News Details

The ANJ issued the measure after concluding that Polymarket was operating in France without the required authorisation. Internet providers must now restrict access to the platform from connections located within French territory.

The authority also reminded businesses and individuals that promoting unauthorised gambling platforms is a criminal offence in France. Advertising violations may result in fines of up to approximately $114,000.

The effectiveness of the blocking order will be closely monitored because of Polymarket’s existing reach in the country. The platform reportedly received 578,751 visits from France in June.

Industry Context

The French decision forms part of a wider regulatory response to Polymarket and other prediction-market platforms offering contracts linked to political, sporting, economic and social events.

France joins European jurisdictions including Germany, Italy and Spain, which have also taken action to restrict access to prediction markets considered incompatible with their national gambling frameworks.

The growth of these products has intensified debate over their legal classification. While the platforms commonly describe them as tradable contracts, several European regulators regard their core mechanics as a form of betting.

Next Steps or Impact

Internet service providers will be required to implement the blocking order, while the ANJ may continue taking action against the promotion and availability of Polymarket in France.

The measure increases regulatory pressure on prediction markets across Europe and underlines the need for platforms to adapt their models to the requirements of individual jurisdictions before offering services.

Edited by: @_fonta