Polymarket faces French ISP blocking order over gambling compliance

France has intensified its regulatory approach to online gambling by directing internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, a prediction market platform that the country's gambling regulator considers unavailable for lawful operation within the French market. The latest enforcement measure reflects increasing attention on prediction markets and the way they intersect with gambling regulation, consumer protection and compliance obligations across Europe.

The decision was issued by France's Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) after a lengthy review of the platform's availability to French users. According to the regulator, the platform remained accessible despite previous measures designed to restrict activity from France. As a result the authority concluded that stronger enforcement was necessary.

The action highlights how regulators are increasingly focusing not only on payment systems but also on website accessibility, customer identification procedures and product design when determining whether an online service complies with national gambling laws.

ANJ orders internet providers to block access

The French regulator confirmed that its president signed the blocking order on 16 July following an extended assessment of the services made available through Polymarket. Under the order domestic internet service providers are required to prevent users located in France from accessing the platform.

The decision represents the latest stage in a regulatory review that began during late 2024 when ANJ first examined the availability of the platform to French consumers.

According to the authority previous efforts resulted in restrictions on financial transactions originating from France through geoblocking measures. However the regulator stated that these restrictions did not fully prevent users from reaching the service.

Rather than concentrating solely on payments the latest enforcement action targets access to the website itself. This approach reflects a broader regulatory strategy aimed at limiting consumer exposure to services that are not authorised under French gambling legislation.

Why the regulator considers the platform unauthorised

France operates a regulated gambling framework that requires licensed operators to comply with extensive consumer protection measures. Prediction market platforms currently do not fall within the country's authorised gambling products.

ANJ stated that prediction markets may share important characteristics with traditional betting products while operating outside the regulatory safeguards that licensed gambling operators must implement.

From the regulator's perspective the legal classification of a service depends on how it functions rather than how it is described. Products that allow users to speculate on future events may therefore attract regulatory attention if they resemble wagering activities.

This interpretation places increasing importance on the actual structure of prediction markets and whether they should be subject to gambling regulation in particular jurisdictions.

KYC and identity verification remain central concerns

One of the regulator's principal concerns relates to customer identification procedures.

ANJ referred to an investigation launched during May into allegations involving manipulated weather prediction markets. According to the regulator the investigation highlighted what it considers insufficient user identification systems on Polymarket services accessible to users in France and elsewhere in Europe.

The authority indicated that effective Know Your Customer, or KYC, procedures play an essential role in preventing fraud protecting consumers and supporting market integrity.

French regulators therefore viewed identity verification as more than a technical compliance requirement. Instead they presented it as a key safeguard for maintaining confidence in regulated gambling environments.

The regulator also suggested that stronger verification measures could assist in reducing risks associated with market manipulation and unauthorised participation.

Significant French audience influenced the decision

Audience figures also formed part of the regulator's assessment.

According to ANJ Polymarket received approximately 578,751 visits from 205,057 unique visitors located in France during June. Such traffic levels demonstrate that the platform has achieved meaningful visibility among French users.

For regulators this level of public exposure increases the importance of enforcement because a widely accessible platform may encourage participation regardless of whether financial transactions are ultimately completed.

The authority also noted that continuously displaying available prediction markets and associated pricing can itself represent promotion of an unauthorised service.

This reflects an increasingly broad interpretation of consumer access where visibility and availability may receive similar regulatory attention to payment processing.

Enforcement follows an established regulatory strategy

Although the Polymarket case has attracted considerable attention it forms part of a wider enforcement programme undertaken by the French regulator.

ANJ reported that during 2025 it ordered the blocking of 1,290 URLs through its administrative powers.

This demonstrates that France already maintains an active enforcement framework targeting websites considered to operate outside national gambling legislation.

However the Polymarket decision carries particular significance because of the platform's international profile and the growing debate surrounding prediction markets.

As these products continue to develop regulators across multiple jurisdictions are examining whether existing legal frameworks adequately address their characteristics.

Compliance expectations continue to evolve

The case provides practical guidance for operators technology providers and businesses involved in online gambling or event prediction services.

Regulators increasingly expect compliance measures to function together rather than independently.

Geolocation controls payment restrictions customer identification systems product design and responsible gambling safeguards are all viewed as interconnected elements of a compliant operation.

Limiting payment processing alone may no longer satisfy regulatory expectations if consumers remain able to access or interact with the service through other channels.

Companies seeking access to regulated markets should therefore evaluate compliance throughout the entire customer journey from initial website access to account creation identity verification and ongoing monitoring.

Implications for suppliers and marketing partners

The enforcement action also has implications beyond platform operators.

Technology suppliers software developers payment providers marketing partners and affiliates all play roles within the broader online gambling ecosystem.

Businesses involved in customer acquisition or promotional activities should ensure that marketing campaigns comply with the legal requirements of each jurisdiction where consumers may be located.

Displaying odds prediction contracts or promotional content may attract regulatory scrutiny even when the underlying service describes itself differently from conventional gambling products.

Market participants should therefore assess local legal frameworks carefully before promoting products across multiple countries.

European attention on prediction markets is increasing

France's decision contributes to a wider European discussion regarding prediction markets consumer protection and market integrity.

As prediction market platforms continue expanding internationally regulators are considering whether existing gambling legislation sufficiently addresses these products or whether additional legal frameworks may become necessary.

Questions surrounding product classification remain central to this discussion. When an event contract closely resembles a wager regulators may examine whether equivalent consumer protections should apply.

Future regulatory reviews are also likely to focus on geolocation systems KYC procedures responsible gambling measures market surveillance and safeguards designed to reduce opportunities for manipulation.

The outcome of these discussions may influence how prediction market operators approach expansion into regulated European jurisdictions.

Conclusion

France's decision to require internet service providers to block access to Polymarket represents another example of regulators adopting broader enforcement strategies within the online gambling sector. Rather than concentrating solely on payment restrictions authorities are increasingly examining website accessibility customer verification systems consumer protection measures and overall product design.

The case also illustrates the evolving regulatory treatment of prediction markets as policymakers assess where these products fit within existing gambling legislation. While legal approaches may differ between jurisdictions businesses operating internationally should recognise that compliance expectations continue to expand beyond licensing alone.

For operators suppliers affiliates and technology providers the message is clear. Robust geolocation systems effective KYC procedures responsible marketing practices and careful assessment of local legal requirements are becoming essential components of sustainable operations in regulated markets. As European scrutiny continues to grow organisations that prioritise compliance from the earliest stages of product development will be better positioned to adapt to an evolving regulatory landscape.

FAQs

What is Polymarket?
Polymarket is an online prediction market platform where users trade contracts based on the outcomes of future events.

Why did France block access to Polymarket?
French regulators concluded that the platform was accessible without meeting the regulatory safeguards required under the country's gambling framework.

Which authority issued the blocking order?
The order was issued by France's Autorité Nationale des Jeux, commonly known as ANJ.

Does France regulate prediction markets as gambling?
France does not currently authorise prediction market platforms as regulated gambling products and regulators may assess them based on how they operate.

What concerns did ANJ raise about Polymarket?
The regulator highlighted issues relating to geolocation controls customer identification procedures consumer protection and regulatory compliance.

What is KYC in online gambling?
Know Your Customer, or KYC, refers to identity verification processes designed to confirm customer identities and help prevent fraud money laundering and other compliance risks.

Does the order affect internet service providers?
Yes. The order requires French internet service providers to block access to the platform from within France.

Why are geolocation controls important?
Geolocation controls help ensure that online services are available only in jurisdictions where they are legally authorised to operate.

Could similar action occur in other European countries?
Each jurisdiction applies its own legal framework although regulators across Europe are increasingly reviewing prediction market services.

What should gambling operators learn from this case?
Operators should ensure that licensing compliance geolocation systems identity verification responsible gambling measures and local legal requirements are fully integrated into their operations.