TLDR
- French gambling authorities directed internet providers to ban Polymarket access on July 16, 2026
- Regulators flagged unauthorized gambling activity, addictive mechanisms, and absent consumer safeguards
- Suspicious weather-based wagers prompted concerns about rigging, leading to a cybercrime probe in Paris
- The platform currently faces geographical restrictions across 36 territories, including Spain, Singapore, and Brazil
- Kentucky led a coalition of 18 US states in legal action against prediction market operators including Polymarket
French authorities have mandated that internet providers restrict access to Polymarket, the widely-used prediction marketplace, over violations related to unlicensed gambling and suspected outcome tampering.
French Gaming Authority Takes Enforcement Action
The Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) implemented the restriction on July 16, 2026. Officials stated that Polymarket functions without proper licensing within French jurisdiction and noted that promoting unauthorized betting platforms constitutes a criminal violation punishable by fines reaching 100,000 euros ($114,000).
According to the ANJ, the service incorporates “addictive features” characteristic of regulated wagering platforms while circumventing the mandatory consumer protections required of authorized operators.
French regulators telegraphed their intentions months earlier, initially announcing their plan to restrict the platform in November 2024 due to non-compliance with domestic gaming regulations.
Rigging Allegations Trigger Criminal Probe
Authorities highlighted specific evidence suggesting systematic manipulation. Officials indicated that certain weather-related contracts displayed signs of interference, with indicators pointing to possible compromise of meteorological monitoring equipment.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s cybercrime division initiated a formal inquiry into these allegations in May 2026.
Authorities additionally determined that Polymarket operated without adequate user verification protocols, including standard Know Your Customer procedures.
Platform Expansion Meets Mounting Regulatory Resistance
Polymarket enables participants to trade contracts linked to prospective outcomes across domains including political contests, sporting events, and financial indicators. The service has experienced rapid expansion, with industry sources informing Reuters that annualized earnings have exceeded $1 billion.
However, this accelerated growth has attracted intensifying regulatory scrutiny. Access to the platform is currently restricted across 36 jurisdictions, encompassing Singapore, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil, and Indonesia.
Spanish authorities imposed a provisional ban on both Polymarket and competitor Kalshi in May 2026. The following month, America’s principal derivatives oversight body unveiled preliminary regulatory guidelines for the prediction marketplace sector.
Kentucky initiated litigation against Polymarket, Kalshi, and three additional platforms in June 2026, alleging operation of unlicensed sports wagering services. A minimum of 17 additional states subsequently filed comparable legal challenges.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has contested these actions, filing counter-suits against participating states while asserting exclusive federal jurisdiction over sanctioned event contracts.
Platform’s Official Statement
Polymarket has not issued an immediate statement addressing the French access restriction. The ANJ confirmed the ban will persist until the platform demonstrates full compliance with French gambling legislation.
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