France Blocks Polymarket Over Illegal Gambling and Sensor Hacking

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) ordered French internet service providers to block access to the crypto-based prediction market Polymarket on July 16, 2026. The regulator determined that the platform, operated by Adventure One QSS Inc., illegally promoted gambling and games of chance to French users without authorization. This action follows a November 2024 ban on financial transactions to the site, which the ANJ stated was being circumvented as French users reached 578,751 visits last month.

The regulator cited concerns over addictive features, a lack of identity verification, and the absence of protective legal mechanisms. Additionally, the ANJ characterized the platform's continued availability as illegal advertising, a criminal offense carrying fines up to 100,000 euros.

The block follows allegations of market manipulation. In May 2026, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office cybercrime unit launched an investigation into bets that were influenced by hacked weather sensors. A specific incident involved the tampering of sensors at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to fix outcomes. This followed an April complaint by Météo-France after similar hacking activity was detected. France joins Germany, Italy, and Spain in restricting such platforms, though it continues to permit legal online sports betting.