France Orders ISPs to Block Access to Polymarket Prediction Platform

Crackdown on Unlicensed Prediction Markets

Paris – On Friday, France’s primary gambling regulator instructed all national internet service providers to block the Polymarket website. The move targets a growing class of online prediction markets that let users wager on real‑world events. The directive applies across the country and takes effect immediately.

The regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), said the decision follows concerns that Polymatter operates without a French gambling licence. Officials argue the platform blurs the line between speculative trading and illegal betting. By ordering ISPs to filter the site, the ANJ hopes to enforce existing gambling laws and protect consumers from unregulated risk.

The ANJ’s statement highlighted a surge in user activity on Polymarket, which offers contracts on outcomes ranging from elections to climate data. Analysts estimate the platform attracted tens of thousands of French users in the past year, generating millions of euros in wagers. French law requires any service facilitating bets on uncertain events to hold a licence, a requirement Polymarket does not meet. „We cannot allow a foreign operator to sidestep our regulatory framework,” the ANJ’s director of enforcement, Marie‑Claude Dupont, told reporters. The regulator also warned that similar sites could face the same block if they fail to comply.

Will the Ban Reduce Gambling‑Related Harm?

Internet providers such as Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom have been given 48 hours to implement the technical block. The process involves DNS filtering and IP address blacklisting, tools the French government routinely uses against illegal streaming services. Critics argue that such measures may push users toward VPNs or other circumvention methods, but officials maintain that the block is a necessary deterrent. The ANJ plans to monitor traffic data to assess the effectiveness of the restriction over the coming weeks.

Early indicators suggest that the block could curtail casual betting on high‑profile events. Consumer protection groups welcomed the decision, noting that many Polymarket participants were unaware of the legal grey area. However, experts caution that the underlying demand for prediction‑type betting may simply migrate to other platforms. „A ban without broader education risks merely moving the problem underground,” said gambling researcher Lucien Moreau of the University of Lyon. The regulator has announced a parallel public awareness campaign aimed at informing citizens about the risks of unlicensed betting and the legal alternatives available in France.

The immediate consequence is reduced visibility of Polymarket for French users, but the long‑term outlook remains uncertain. If the block proves effective, it could set a precedent for stricter oversight of similar services across the EU. Conversely, if users evade the restriction, regulators may need to consider more comprehensive digital measures or international cooperation. The coming months will reveal whether France’s decisive action can reshape the landscape of online prediction markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polymarket? Polymarket is an online platform where users trade contracts tied to the outcome of real‑world events, effectively betting on future occurrences.

Why did France block the site? The ANJ determined that Polymarket operates without a French gambling licence, violating national laws that require such licences for betting services.

Can French users still access Polymarket? Access is blocked at the ISP level, but users may attempt to bypass the restriction using VPNs or other anonymising tools, though such methods are not officially endorsed.