French gambling regulator orders ISPs to block Polymarket

France’s gambling authority has instructed internet service providers in the country to block access to Polymarket, according to the source. The order centers on concerns that the platform may be operating as illegal gambling and could be exposed to market manipulation.

The move matters because it shows how national regulators are continuing to scrutinize crypto-linked prediction markets and other online platforms that sit near the boundary between financial products and gambling. For users and companies in the sector, it underscores that access to these services can be restricted at the infrastructure level when authorities believe local rules are being breached.

Polymarket has drawn attention for its prediction-market model, which lets users place bets on event outcomes. That structure has also made it a target for regulators who question whether it should be treated as gambling rather than a market for information or speculation.

The French action adds to the broader regulatory uncertainty facing platforms that blend crypto, trading and wagering-style mechanics. It also highlights how internet access providers can become part of enforcement efforts when regulators seek to limit access to services they consider noncompliant.