Key Takeaways
- France’s gambling watchdog mandated ISP-level blocking of Polymarket effective July 16, 2026
- Authorities flagged unlicensed gambling operations, addiction-prone design, and insufficient consumer safeguards
- Suspicious betting activity on weather events prompted criminal probes into potential sensor tampering
- Polymarket faces access restrictions across 36 jurisdictions, from Spain and Singapore to Brazil
- Kentucky leads an 18-state legal challenge against prediction platforms, including Polymarket
French authorities have mandated nationwide blocking of Polymarket, a widely-used prediction betting platform, over allegations of unauthorized gambling activities and potential market tampering.
French Gambling Authority Enforces Platform Ban
On July 16, 2026, the Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) directed internet providers to restrict access to Polymarket. According to the regulatory body, the platform has been operating illegally within French borders without proper licensing, and promoting such unauthorized gambling services constitutes a criminal violation punishable by fines reaching 100,000 euros ($114,000).
ANJ officials highlighted that the platform incorporates “addictive features” characteristic of traditional gambling services while circumventing the consumer protection requirements imposed on licensed operators.
This enforcement action was not unexpected—France first telegraphed its intention to restrict the platform in November 2024, when regulators identified Polymarket’s failure to meet domestic gambling compliance standards.
Criminal Probe Launched Over Suspected Market Tampering
Regulatory concerns extended beyond licensing issues. ANJ identified troubling patterns in certain weather-based betting markets, with evidence suggesting possible outcome manipulation through compromised meteorological sensors.
These allegations triggered a formal criminal investigation by the Paris Public Prosecutor’s cybercrime division, initiated in May 2026.
Authorities also discovered that Polymarket operated without adequate identity verification systems, failing to implement standard Know Your Customer protocols.
Rapid Expansion Meets Mounting Regulatory Resistance
Polymarket enables users to trade contracts based on the outcomes of future events—ranging from political races and sporting competitions to economic indicators. According to a Reuters source, the platform’s annualized revenue has crossed the $1 billion threshold.
However, this explosive growth has attracted increasing scrutiny from regulators worldwide. Access to Polymarket is now restricted in 36 jurisdictions, spanning Singapore, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil, and Indonesia.
Spain instituted temporary restrictions on both Polymarket and competitor Kalshi in May 2026. The following month, America’s leading derivatives regulator unveiled proposed regulatory frameworks specifically targeting the prediction market sector.
In June 2026, Kentucky initiated legal proceedings against Polymarket, Kalshi, and three additional platforms, alleging they operated unlicensed sports wagering services. Subsequently, 17 additional states filed comparable lawsuits.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has contested these state actions, filing counter-suits asserting its exclusive federal jurisdiction over event-based contract markets.
Platform Remains Silent on French Action
Polymarket has not issued a statement regarding the French blocking order. ANJ confirmed the restriction will persist indefinitely until the platform demonstrates compliance with French gambling regulations.
