Key Takeaways
- France’s ANJ gambling watchdog instructed ISPs to restrict access to Polymarket across the country
- On July 22, Polymarket announced plans to fight the decision in French courts
- The regulator raised red flags about gambling addiction risks and contract manipulation concerns
- Both Polymarket and Kalshi faced temporary restrictions in Spain during May 2025
- America’s CFTC unveiled proposed prediction market guidelines in June
The popular prediction market platform Polymarket has announced it will pursue legal remedies in France following a government order blocking user access throughout the nation.
The AutoritĆ© Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France’s gambling oversight body, directed internet providers to block the platform last week. According to the regulator, Polymarket poses significant risks including substantial financial losses for participants and vulnerability to market manipulation across certain betting contracts.
The company responded swiftly to the development. In a July 22 statement, Polymarket expressed disappointment over what it described as an abrupt and one-sided action by French authorities, while confirming its intention to contest the ban through available legal channels.
The service enables participants to wager on various real-world scenarios ranging from political contests and sporting events to financial projections. The platform has processed trading volumes worth billions of dollars over recent years.
European Crackdown Intensifies
The French action isn’t happening in isolation. Spanish regulators imposed temporary operating bans on both Polymarket and competitor Kalshi back in May. France’s recent measure appears to follow a similar regulatory trend.
Interestingly, Kalshi escaped this particular restriction in France. The ANJ’s blocking directive singled out Polymarket exclusively, prompting the platform’s criticism of the selective approach.
European authorities across different jurisdictions are grappling with classification questions: should prediction platforms be treated as gambling operations or as financial trading venues? This fundamental distinction drives much of the current regulatory conflict.
American Regulators Also Taking Action
Across the Atlantic, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission published proposed regulatory standards for prediction market operators in June. These guidelines represent an effort to establish clearer operating parameters for the sector.
Congressional oversight has also intensified, with a House committee initiating investigations into both Polymarket and Kalshi during recent months. The platforms face mounting pressure from various government bodies.
Even amid domestic regulatory challenges, Kalshi continues pursuing growth initiatives. The platform has announced intentions to launch perpetual futures contracts based on precious metals including gold, silver, and platinum.
The French legal battle represents a significant test case for how European gambling legislation intersects with blockchain-based prediction markets.
Whatever verdict emerges could establish important legal precedent influencing regulatory approaches across other EU member states.
Legal proceedings are anticipated to unfold throughout the French judicial system over the next several months.
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