France’s gambling regulator has ordered internet providers to block access to Polymarket. The order comes days before Les Bleus face England in the bronze medal match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The National Gambling Authority, known as ANJ, has listed the platform as illegal betting. It also highlighted the dangers of fraud as the interest in predicting the environment is created.
French Watchdog Moves to End Access
The president of ANJ told French internet providers to ban Polymarket completely, calling the platform an illegal offering. The the controller He said Polymarket attracts many people while promoting illegal gambling and betting.
The agency also pointed out the risks associated with certain Polymarket wagers. This increases the pressure on the platform that is facing all the way around European Polymarket ban. The Netherlands has already threatened to impose fines earlier this year.
A Model Well-Extended Across France
France now joins a long list of regulators pushing back. The Kentucky attorney general wrote a market forecasting case against Polymarket and Kalshi this year. Australia was drowned gambling restrictions around the live broadcast game.
Polymarket, meanwhile, has maintained its friendly controls. The company is said to be pursuing a Japan’s approval is compellingtargeting Tokyo by 2030.
The split reflects a rift between conservative regulators and Polymarket. Stress controllers buyer to harm. Polymarket insists that its contractors get fair prices, not gambling.
Bettors Still Like Les Bleus
None of these observations have revived interest in today’s third-party competition. This marks the biggest rise in World Cup prediction markets throughout the tournament. Polymarket prices in France at 67 cents to beat England. This means a 67% chance for Les Bleus.
The French ban does not extend to exporters. But it shows that regulators are no longer willing to wait for the prediction markets to police themselves. Whether Polymarket will adapt its French offering or simply leave is still an open question coming to the fore.
A note France Blocks Polymarket Ahead of Third World Cup appeared for the first time BeInCrypto.
