France has blocked access to Polymarket after the gambling regulator said the crypto prediction market offered illegal betting services.
France has moved to shut out Polymarket, putting one of crypto’s fastest-growing prediction markets under fresh regulatory pressure.
The country’s gambling regulator ordered internet providers to block the platform after alleging it operated an illegal betting service.
Reuters reported the move on July 17, 2026, citing the French authority and people familiar with the case. The decision adds to a growing list of European checks on crypto-linked prediction markets.
France Gambling Regulator Targets Polymarket Access
France’s National Gambling Authority, known as ANJ, said it ordered the block on July 16. The regulator said Polymarket drew a large audience and crossed into illegal gambling territory.
France Blocks Access to Polymarket Website
According to Reuters, France’s gambling regulator ANJ has ordered internet service providers to block access to prediction market platform Polymarket, alleging that it offers illegal gambling services. The regulator said the platform… pic.twitter.com/5r6vEJslDP
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 18, 2026
It also flagged user losses as a concern. The authority said the platform could expose people to heavy betting losses.
Polymarket now faces a direct test in one of Europe’s stricter gaming markets. The block will stay in place until the platform meets French rules.
ANJ also raised the risk of manipulated markets. It said some wagers on the site may be vulnerable to abuse.
Polymarket Joins a Wider Europe Crackdown on Crypto Betting
The French move follows earlier pressure in Spain. In May, Spanish authorities temporarily banned Polymarket and Kalshi from operating there.
That action showed how prediction markets are drawing closer scrutiny across Europe. Regulators have questioned whether these platforms fit gambling rules or financial market rules.
Reuters said regulators in several regions have tightened oversight of event contracts. The debate has moved fast as crypto betting products have grown in reach.
Polymarket and Kalshi let users bet on outcomes tied to sports, politics, weather, and wars. That mix has pushed the platforms into a legal gray area in some countries.
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What the Polymarket Block Means for Crypto Markets
The latest block may matter for traders tracking the broader crypto sector. Prediction markets have become a visible part of the onchain economy.
Reuters also reported that a source familiar with the matter said Polymarket’s annualized revenue passed $1 billion last month. That figure points to strong demand, even as regulators step in.
For now, France has sent a clear signal. The platform cannot operate freely there without meeting the country’s gambling standards.
The move also keeps pressure on other event-based crypto platforms. As regulators sharpen their rules, market access may depend more on local licensing than on user demand.
Polymarket has not yet publicly responded to the French block, according to Reuters. That leaves the platform facing a fresh compliance battle in Europe.
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