French gaming regulator ANJ has ordered a nationwide block of Polymarket, classifying the prediction platform as an unlicensed gambling service. The decision targets forecast markets operating within French territory.
Regulatory Findings and User Activity
According to regulator data, more than 578,000 French residents accessed the Polymarket website during June, despite existing bans on financial transactions with the platform. Authorities noted that users frequently bypassed regional restrictions using virtual private networks.The regulator determined that displaying market options and odds on the platform effectively promotes unlicensed gambling activity. Polymarket has faced similar operational restrictions in over thirty countries, including Switzerland, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Brazil, and Italy.
The February 2026 ruling formally placed prediction markets under France's illegal gambling category, establishing the regulatory basis for the current access block. Source: GGM: iGaming New