France's gambling regulator, the National Gambling Authority (ANJ), has ordered internet providers to block access to Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction market platform. The directive arrives just ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze medal match between France and England.
Why the ANJ Acted Now
The ANJ labeled Polymarket an illegal betting operation and flagged manipulation risks tied to some wagers on the platform. The regulator did not specify which bets raised concerns, but the timing — days before a high-profile match involving the host nation — suggests a focus on event-based contracts that could be seen as gambling under French law. France has long maintained strict rules against unauthorized sports betting, and the ANJ has been increasingly active in policing online platforms that skirt those rules.
A Growing Crackdown on Prediction Markets
Polymarket is not alone in facing heat. The Netherlands threatened steep fines against the platform earlier this year. In the United States, Kentucky's attorney general filed a lawsuit against both Polymarket and Kalsi, another prediction market operator, arguing their products violate state gambling laws. Australia, meanwhile, tightened advertising restrictions around live sports broadcasts to limit exposure to betting content. The moves reflect a broader regulatory pushback against prediction markets that regulators say blur the line between speculation and gambling.
Polymarket's Global Ambitions
Despite the crackdowns, Polymarket is reportedly pursuing a Japan approval push, targeting Tokyo by 2030. The company's live market currently prices France at 67 cents to beat England, implying roughly a 67% chance for the French side. That kind of granular, real-time pricing is what draws users — and what draws regulators' scrutiny. Whether Polymarket can navigate the patchwork of national gambling laws while expanding remains an open question. For now, French users will find the site blocked, and the ANJ shows no sign of backing down.
