France has ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, moving to cut off domestic access to the crypto-based prediction market after regulators deemed its offerings incompatible with the country’s gambling rules.
Why France moved to block Polymarket
France’s gaming regulator ordered ISPs to restrict access to the Polymarket website, framing the platform as an illegal gambling service under national law, according to the Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ). For related coverage, see Joe Nakamoto Says France Sees 70% of Global Crypto Wrench Attacks.
An ISP-level block does not remove Polymarket from the internet. It instructs domestic internet providers to prevent their subscribers from reaching the site, a mechanism regulators use when a platform operates outside local licensing rather than agreeing to comply first. For related coverage, see Hair Dryer May Have Manipulated Paris Weather Sensor in $34K Polymarket Outcome.
The action reflects regulatory pressure, not a voluntary change by Polymarket itself. French authorities have characterized prediction market platforms as illegal in France and potentially risky for users, the ANJ said.
Prediction markets draw gambling-related scrutiny because users stake money on uncertain future outcomes, a structure regulators can treat as betting even when it runs on blockchain rails. That framing is what places Polymarket inside France’s gambling enforcement regime.
What the block means for users in France
French residents may face restricted access to Polymarket once ISP-level blocking is enforced, disrupting participation in active markets for anyone attempting to reach the platform from within the country.
A national block is not a global shutdown. Polymarket can continue operating in other jurisdictions while French access is curtailed, meaning the order targets domestic reach rather than the platform’s underlying operations.
Reduced regional access can weigh on local participation and confidence, even as the platform’s broader activity continues elsewhere. Polymarket has expanded its product set, including plans to launch parlay contracts for prediction markets, underscoring how far its consumer-facing ambitions extend beyond any single country.
Why the decision matters for crypto prediction markets
Enforcement against Polymarket may read as a warning for similar crypto-based prediction platforms operating across borders without local licensing. Jurisdiction-specific action remains a persistent risk for consumer-facing crypto services.
The case highlights the tension between open, blockchain-based products and national compliance frameworks. Prediction markets have drawn heavy interest, with World Cup final betting surging on Kalshi and Polymarket, exactly the kind of high-volume consumer activity that attracts regulators.
France has been an active front for crypto oversight more broadly, with Binance restricting trading in France and EU markets amid MiCA issues. Local enforcement in a major market can shape sentiment for global platforms even when their core operations remain untouched.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
