French regulator orders ISPs to block access to Polymarket. Read the full analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs regarding French regulators ordering ISPs to block Polymarket
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is Polymarket
Polymarket is a website where people can bet on the outcome of future events like elections or sports games It uses cryptocurrency
2 Why did France block Polymarket
French regulators said Polymarket is an unlicensed gambling platform Operating a gambling site in France requires a specific license which Polymarket doesnt have
3 Does this mean I can get in trouble for using Polymarket in France
Potentially yes While the block targets the website using an unlicensed gambling platform is against French law You could face fines or other legal issues
4 How does the block work
The French regulator ordered internet service providers like Orange SFR and Free to prevent their customers from accessing the Polymarket website
5 Can I still access Polymarket with a VPN
Technically yes A VPN can hide your location and make it look like you are in a different country However doing this to bypass a legal block is still a violation of French gambling laws
Advanced Technical Questions
6 Which specific French regulator ordered the block
The order was issued by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux which is the French National Gambling Authority They are responsible for regulating all gambling activities in France
7 Is this block permanent
Not necessarily The block will remain in place until Polymarket either complies with French law or the ANJ decides to lift the order It could be a longterm block
8 Why is Polymarket treated as gambling and not a prediction market or financial instrument
French law classifies any activity where you stake money on an uncertain outcome to win a prize as gambling The ANJ views Polymarkets yesno contracts as bets not investments It does not have the same legal status as a regulated stock exchange
9 Does this block affect other prediction market platforms like Kalshi or PredictIt
The order is specifically for Polymarket However the ANJs reasoning applies to any unlicensed prediction market If Kalshi or PredictIt operate in France without a license they could face the same block