Key facts
- Polymarket will challenge France's nationwide website block in court.
- France's National Gambling Authority (ANJ) ordered internet providers to block Polymarket's website.
- Polymarket argues that trading from France has been disabled since November 2024.
- The ANJ cited concerns over illegal gambling promotion, potential user losses, identity check issues, and market manipulation risks.
- Polymarket plans to challenge the ANJ's decision through the French legal system.
Polymarket announced it will challenge France's decision to block its website, arguing the order is disproportionate as trading from the country has been disabled since November 2024. The French National Gambling Authority (ANJ) ordered internet providers to restrict access to the platform, citing concerns that it promoted illegal gambling and exposed users to risks of loss, identity check issues, and market manipulation. Polymarket stated it was surprised by the ANJ's decision to block the entire website, as it prevents users from accessing information even when trading is disabled. The company views prediction markets as a tool for sourcing truth and distinguishes its model from traditional gambling operators. France's action follows similar ISP blocks in Ukraine, Argentina, and Spain, with other countries also restricting access or classifying Polymarket as an unauthorized gambling platform.