Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction market platform, has filed a lawsuit against French authorities after the country's gambling regulator blocked access to its website. The French National Gambling Authority (ANJ) ordered internet service providers to restrict Polymarket, citing violations of local gambling laws. The move is part of a wider European push against event-based betting sites, but critics note that Polymarket's rival Kalshi has not faced similar action in France.
Why the ANJ blocked Polymarket
The ANJ's decision came without public warning. Polymarket allows users to bet on outcomes of real-world events — elections, sports, even weather — using cryptocurrency. French law prohibits unlicensed gambling operators from offering services to residents. The regulator said Polymarket fell under that definition. The company, which is based in the United States, does not hold a French gambling license.
Polymarket argues that its platform is not gambling but a form of information markets, similar to stock exchanges for predictions. That distinction has not swayed French authorities. The block affects all users in France, who now see a notice from their internet providers when trying to access the site.
Unequal treatment of competitors
What stands out is that Kalshi, a U.S.-based rival that also offers event contracts, remains accessible in France. Kalshi is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the United States and does not appear to have been targeted by the ANJ. Polymarket's legal team is expected to argue that this selective enforcement violates principles of equal treatment under French and EU law.
The company has not yet detailed the specific legal grounds for its lawsuit, but the case is likely to hinge on whether prediction markets fall under gambling regulations or financial market rules. Polymarket has previously faced scrutiny from U.S. regulators, including a $1.4 million settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in 2022.
Broader European crackdown on prediction markets
France's action is not isolated. Across Europe, regulators are tightening rules around event-based betting. The UK Gambling Commission has warned operators about offering bets on political events. Germany's gambling authority has also restricted certain prediction market activities. The European Commission has signaled interest in harmonizing rules for such platforms.
Polymarket's lawsuit could set a precedent. If a French court rules in its favor, it may force regulators to treat prediction markets differently from traditional gambling. If the block is upheld, other European countries could follow France's lead.
A hearing date has not been set. Polymarket continues to operate in other jurisdictions, including the United States, where it faces its own regulatory battles. The French case is expected to be closely watched by both the crypto industry and gambling regulators across Europe.
