France blocks access to online prediction platform Polymarket

France has moved to block access to the online prediction market Polymarket, intensifying a ban that previously targeted financial transactions to the platform. The national gaming authority, ANJ, announced Friday that Polymarket's website would be inaccessible within French territory.

The ANJ cited Polymarket's ongoing operation, where betting odds on future events are updated in real-time, as constituting illegal advertising. "Advertising, by any means whatsoever, in favor of an unauthorized betting or gambling site is a criminal offense," the ANJ stated, warning of potential fines up to 100,000 euros ($114,000).

Despite the ban on transactions from French accounts, visits to Polymarket from French IP addresses have reportedly surged, reaching over 578,000 last month. This move by French authorities highlights growing concerns surrounding prediction markets. These platforms have recently been linked to several problematic incidents.

Notably, France's national weather agency, Meteo-France, filed a complaint in April after one of its weather probes was compromised to manipulate bets on Polymarket. In the United States, a soldier faces federal charges for allegedly using classified information to bet on outcomes related to a U.S. operation in Venezuela. Additionally, a teleprompter operator was suspended over allegations of betting on the content of President Donald Trump's speeches.

France joins other European nations like Germany, Italy, and Spain in restricting or blocking access to such online prediction markets, though it permits online sports betting.

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Advertising, by any means whatsoever, in favor of an unauthorized betting or gambling site is a criminal offense.