France Cracks Down on Polymarket, Blocks Access to Prediction Market

France's Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has taken a hardline stance against Polymarket, ordering internet service providers to block access to the platform. This move follows a previous ban on financial transactions from French residents, which was implemented in November 2024. Despite this restriction, Polymarket saw a significant number of visits from French users, with 578,751 visits and 205,057 unique visitors in June alone. The ANJ has argued that the platform's real-time odds display promotes unauthorized gambling services, and that users can easily bypass the previous ban using a VPN.

The French government's move against Polymarket is a clear indication that the country is committed to regulating the prediction market space.

The ANJ's decision to block Polymarket is part of a broader effort to crack down on prediction markets in France. The country has already blocked over 1,290 gambling-related URLs and joined a growing list of countries restricting access to Polymarket. The platform's trading volumes have been affected, with CEX trading volumes rising for the first time in five months in June.

The implications of this move are significant, as it signals a tougher stance against prediction markets in France. The ANJ's decision to block Polymarket may also set a precedent for other countries to follow suit. With over 30 jurisdictions now restricting access to Polymarket, the platform's future remains uncertain. The French government's move against Polymarket is a clear indication that the country is committed to regulating the prediction market space.