France’s gambling regulator has defended its decision to block Polymarket, stating that the platform continues to promote an unauthorized gambling service and raises concerns around financial losses, user verification, and potential market manipulation.
Polymarket is set to challenge the nationwide website restriction in French courts, arguing that the move unfairly limits access to its prediction data even though users in France have been unable to trade on the platform since November 2024.
The National Gambling Authority (ANJ) ordered internet providers to block access to Polymarket last week, claiming the platform exposes users to financial risks and hosts markets that could be vulnerable to manipulation.
The company said it would pursue legal action against the decision, calling the ban disproportionate because it affects people who visit the website only to view forecasts and market probabilities rather than place trades.
Polymarket said it was surprised that regulators chose to block its entire website, arguing that a large portion of visitors use the platform simply to follow predictions about future events and gather information.
The company emphasized that prediction markets help measure public expectations and provide insight into possible outcomes, even when users are not actively participating in trades.
A major issue in the dispute is the classification of Polymarket’s contracts. The company argues that its blockchain-based markets function as financial instruments, with users trading directly with one another and prices determined by supply and demand.
Polymarket also highlighted that it does not act as a betting house, saying it does not take the opposite side of trades or generate revenue from the outcome of market events, unlike traditional gambling operators.
French authorities, however, maintain that the platform remained available after trading restrictions were introduced and continued operating as an unauthorized gambling service.
The regulator also pointed to concerns about identity verification practices and possible manipulation involving specific prediction markets, including weather-related contracts.
France’s action follows similar restrictions from other governments. Ukraine blocked Polymarket through internet providers in January, Argentina imposed restrictions in March, and Spain blocked access to both Polymarket and Kalshi in May.
The French ban represents a broader step than the previous trading restrictions. Although Polymarket had already stopped French users from placing trades in late 2024, regulators moved to block the full website because visitors could still view live probabilities and market information.
Several other countries, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Romania, have also restricted access to Polymarket or classified it as an unauthorized gambling platform. Ukrainian officials have said there is currently no legal structure allowing the service to operate domestically.
Polymarket has not yet confirmed whether it will challenge similar restrictions in other jurisdictions, and the company had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
