France Orders Internet Providers to Block Polymarket Before World Cup Final
France has escalated its crackdown on prediction markets. The country’s National Gambling Authority (ANJ) ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket on July 16.
Why France Blocked Polymarket
The regulator says Polymarket promotes illegal gambling and betting. It also raised concerns that some markets on the platform could be manipulated, putting users at risk of significant losses.
This full block comes just days before the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, which will resolve the largest event markets in Polymarket’s history.
Background of the Ban
French authorities first restricted Polymarket in November 2024. Although the platform limited trading for French users, many still visited the site in view-only mode. In June alone, Polymarket recorded over 578,000 visits from more than 205,000 unique French users.
The ANJ considers even displaying odds on the homepage as illegal advertising. Promoting unlicensed betting services in France can result in fines up to €100,000 ($114,000).
Additional Concerns
French officials are also investigating possible manipulation on the platform, including suspicious weather bets that may involve hacked sensors. The Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit opened a case in May.
Impact on World Cup Betting
The timing is particularly disruptive for French users. The World Cup Winner market on Polymarket has exceeded $4 billion in trading volume — the biggest single market in the platform’s history. A separate final match contract has seen over $1.27 billion in volume on rival platform Kalshi.
Growing Global Pressure
France is not alone. Several other countries have taken action against Polymarket:
- Czech Republic ordered a block on July 13
- Portugal blocked the platform in January
- Brazil banned prediction markets in April
This move highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny on decentralized prediction platforms in Europe.
