France's gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has blocked access to Polymarket, a popular prediction market platform. The move is part of a growing wave of scrutiny aimed at platforms that let users bet on the outcomes of events like elections and sports.
Why the ANJ Stepped In
The ANJ did not give a detailed public explanation for the block, but the action fits a pattern of regulators treating prediction markets as unlicensed gambling. In France, only operators with a valid gaming license can offer betting services. Polymarket, which is based in the United States, does not hold a French license.
US Regulators Take a Similar Stance
Across the Atlantic, US regulators have flagged prediction markets as unlicensed betting platforms. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has previously warned that certain event contracts—especially those tied to political contests—may violate federal gambling laws. No formal enforcement action against Polymarket has been announced in the US, but the regulatory pressure is mounting.
The ANJ's decision adds to the international pushback against prediction markets, which operate in a legal gray area in many countries. For now, Polymarket users in France can no longer access the site.
