France Orders ISPs to Block Polymarket, Citing Illegal Gambling

France’s gambling regulator has instructed internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, classifying the platform as an illegal gambling site. This move follows concerns over addictive mechanics, lack of self-exclusion tools, and persistent use by French citizens despite prior financial restrictions.

What Happened

On July 16, 2026, France’s gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), ordered the country’s internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to Polymarket. The ANJ reclassified Polymarket as an illegal gambling site, moving away from its previous consideration as a financial trading platform, according to CoinDesk.

The regulator cited continued access by French users despite previous financial transaction bans implemented in November 2024. Reportedly, in June, Polymarket recorded 578,751 visits from 205,057 unique visitors in France, with users bypassing restrictions via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The ANJ stated that the platform’s ability to dynamically display real-time odds on its homepage served as a promotional channel for unauthorized gambling services in France, as reported by CoinDesk.

Key Details

• The ANJ’s decision was prompted by concerns over Polymarket’s addictive mechanics and the absence of stake limits and self-exclusion tools, according to CoinDesk.
• Earlier restrictions, including a ban on financial transactions since November 2024, failed to deter French users, who reportedly accessed the platform via VPNs (CoinDesk).
• In February 2026, the ANJ formally reclassified prediction markets as illegal gambling platforms (CoinDesk).
• A complaint from France’s weather service, Météo-France, regarding a tampered temperature sensor tied to weather-based bets, prompted a cybercrime investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office on May 4 (CoinDesk).
• Polymarket is reportedly restricted in over 30 countries globally, including Switzerland (November 2024), Poland, Singapore, Belgium (early 2025), Portugal (January 2026), and temporarily in Spain (May 2026), as well as Brazil, Argentina, India, Indonesia, Italy, Germany, Romania, Hungary, and Ukraine (CoinDesk).
• Fines for operating unauthorized gambling services in France can reach 100,000 euros ($114,380), according to CoinDesk.

Why It Matters

This regulatory action by France underscores a continued global trend of national authorities stringent oversight over prediction markets and similar platforms, classifying them under existing gambling regulations. The decision highlights the challenges faced by uncensored platforms in regulated markets, particularly concerning user protection mechanisms like self-exclusion tools and addiction mitigation. The ANJ’s move reinforces the position that without conforming to national gambling frameworks, platforms like Polymarket face legal and operational barriers in specific jurisdictions and the possibility of substantial financial penalties.

The incident involving Météo-France also points to potential broader integrity concerns that can arise with prediction markets, drawing attention from law enforcement beyond financial regulatory bodies. The persistent use of VPNs by French users to bypass previous restrictions indicates a demand for such platforms, but also presents a continuous challenge for regulators attempting to enforce national laws in a globally connected digital environment.

What’s Next

Polymarket has not yet issued a public response to CoinDesk regarding the French blocking order.

Originally reported by CoinDesk·Published 18 Jul 2026, 21:52