ANJ Orders ISPs to Block Polymarket in France
France's gambling regulator targets the crypto prediction market as Europe tightens its grip on the sector.
France's gambling regulator ANJ ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket this week, citing illegal gambling concerns over the prediction market platform.
Why It Matters
The block is significant for crypto-native prediction markets that have long operated in regulatory grey zones across Europe. Polymarket, which settles contracts in USDC on the Polygon blockchain, has no French gambling licence — a prerequisite under ANJ rules for any real-money wagering product offered to French residents. For operators and investors watching the sector, this signals that European regulators are moving from passive observation to active enforcement. Users who rely on decentralised infrastructure may attempt to circumvent the block via VPNs, but doing so carries legal risk under French law.
Context
The ANJ action forms part of a broader European joint initiative targeting prediction markets, according to iGaming Business. Prediction markets such as Polymarket surged in mainstream visibility during the 2024 U.S. election cycle, drawing regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission had previously taken action against Polymarket in 2022, resulting in a $1.4 million settlement — yet the platform continued operating internationally.
What's Next
Polymarket has not publicly confirmed whether it will challenge the ANJ order or geo-fence French users at the application layer. Further ISP-level blocks from other European regulators participating in the joint initiative are plausible in the coming weeks.
Gambling involves risk. This article is for informational purposes only.
Source: iGaming Business
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