French internet service providers are now required to block access to Polymarket, a prediction market platform. This action stems from a conclusion by France’s national gaming authority, the ANJ, that Polymarket was operating as a gambling service without the necessary authorization. The ANJ’s order directs internet providers to implement these access restrictions directly, a step beyond the platform operator’s previous self-managed geoblocking efforts.
The ANJ initiated its review of Polymarket in November 2024. Initially, Adventure One QSS Inc., the company operating Polymarket, responded to the regulator’s preliminary findings by introducing geoblocking measures. However, the ANJ observed that users in France were still able to access the platform. This persistence in user access led the ANJ to escalate the matter, resulting in the issuance of an administrative blocking order.
Market integrity and KYC concerns
The ANJ’s concerns were multifaceted and extended beyond the absence of a gambling license. The authority highlighted reports of alleged manipulation within weather-related prediction markets, which subsequently prompted a separate investigation by cybercrime authorities. Furthermore, the ANJ expressed criticism regarding what it deemed insufficient Know Your Customer (KYC) verification procedures on the platform. Both the integrity of the prediction markets and the protection of consumers were identified as key factors influencing the ANJ’s enforcement decision.
The substantial user engagement from France provides context for the timing of the ANJ’s intervention. In June 2026 alone, Polymarket registered approximately 578,751 visits and 205,057 unique visitors from France. Such significant user traffic, even with the platform’s voluntary geoblocking in place, was deemed insufficient to meet regulatory requirements.
Live odds treated as advertising
The ANJ also pointed out that the live odds displayed on the platform were considered a form of promotion for an unlicensed gambling service under French law. In France, advertising illegal gambling activities can incur penalties of up to €100,000. This indicates that the ANJ viewed not only overt marketing campaigns but also the inherent product features, such as live odds, as constituting promotional activity.
European regulatory consensus
France’s regulatory action is part of a broader European trend. The ANJ confirmed that other European nations, including Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, have also initiated regulatory measures targeting prediction market platforms. The prevailing regulatory sentiment across Europe concerning prediction markets appears consistent: without a specific gambling license, and in the absence of clearly defined licensing frameworks in most jurisdictions, operating such platforms carries significant regulatory risk.
Sustained enforcement
This move against Polymarket is not an isolated incident but rather an indication of a sustained enforcement approach. In 2025, the ANJ was responsible for blocking 1,290 URLs associated with illegal gambling operations. For businesses providing services to prediction market platforms across Europe, including B2B suppliers, payment processors, and affiliate marketers, the ANJ’s decision serves as a crucial reminder to thoroughly review the compliance status of their clients operating in this sector.
