The regulatory authority expressed concerns regarding addictive features, inadequate self-exclusion options, and a significant number of French users evading prior financial restrictions.
By Francisco Rodrigues, AI Boost Jul 18, 2026, 9:52 p.m. 2 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on SummaryShow- The gambling authority in France has mandated internet service providers to restrict access to Polymarket, labeling it as an illegal gambling platform instead of a financial trading site.
- Concerns were raised regarding addictive features, insufficient self-exclusion tools, and a notable number of French users bypassing existing financial restrictions.
- France is now among over 30 nations that have taken action against Polymarket, following complaints about bets related to weather and the influence of a notable French trader on the market.
The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France's gambling regulator, ordered internet service providers on July 16 to block Polymarket, categorizing it as an illegal gambling platform rather than a financial trading venue.
The ANJ noted that previous efforts to deter French users from the platform were unsuccessful. Data from Similarweb, referenced by the regulator, indicated that Polymarket received 578,751 visits from 205,057 unique users in France during June, despite a ban on financial transactions that has been in effect since November 2024, which users could bypass using a VPN.
Users were still able to access the homepage, where they could view live markets and odds. The ANJ asserted that the display of real-time odds constituted an unauthorized gambling service.
According to the regulator, "The homepage of the site, which dynamically shows real-time odds for various events available for betting, serves as a significant means of promoting Polymarket's offerings, even though its operations are not sanctioned within France." Fines for violations can reach up to 100,000 euros ($114,380).
Polymarket has not yet provided a response to CoinDesk's inquiry.
Additionally, the ANJ referenced a complaint from Météo-France, the national weather service, regarding a manipulated temperature sensor associated with weather-related bets, which prompted the Paris prosecutor's cybercrime unit to initiate an investigation on May 4.
The regulator also highlighted the actions of a French trader known as "Fredi9999," who influenced U.S. election odds by placing multimillion-dollar bets in 2024.
In February 2026, France adopted a stricter position by reclassifying prediction markets as illegal gambling due to concerns about addictive mechanics and the lack of limitations on stakes and self-exclusion options.
In the previous year, the country blocked 1,290 gambling-related websites and joined a growing list of nations that have restricted Polymarket, which is now blocked in over 30 regions. Switzerland banned the site in November 2024, followed by Poland, Singapore, and Belgium in early 2025. Portugal took action in January 2026, and Spain issued a temporary block in May pending an investigation. Other countries, including Brazil, Argentina, India, Indonesia, Italy, Germany, Romania, Hungary, and Ukraine, have also enacted similar measures.
PolymarketAI Disclaimer: Portions of this article were generated with the help of AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more details, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.Latest Crypto News- 1Crypto leaders suggest digital natives may not require bank accounts3 hours ago
- 2DOG Mode clarifies Bitcoin's upcoming governance challenge5 hours ago
- 3Trump focuses on Brazil's payment system as dollar stablecoins gain traction5 hours ago
- 4Reasons behind a staggering $1.6 billion in idle crypto liquidity6 hours ago
- 5Large Bitcoin options target $72,000 by month's end, coinciding with the Fed meeting7 hours ago
- 6Tokenization is now a strategic focus for 84% of financial institutions8 hours ago
- 7Polymarket traders reduce odds for Clarity Act passage to all-time low amid Senate delaysJul 17, 2026
- 8Stripe and Swift compete for control of future global payments infrastructureJul 17, 2026
- 9Cardano transfers core development to external teams in decentralization initiativeJul 17, 2026
- 10Inside Robinhood’s ambitious plan to engage 10 million casual investors in decentralized financeJul 17, 2026
Gate Leads Spot Market Share Gains as CEX Volumes Rise for First Time in Five Months
Gate Leads Spot Market Share Gains as CEX Volumes Rise for First Time in Five Months
CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
By CoinDesk ResearchJul 13, 2026CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
Why it matters:
CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
View Full ReportMore From Policy