Polymarket to challenge France’s nationwide website block

Polymarket plans to challenge France’s decision to block its website, arguing the order prevents users from accessing its market probabilities even though trading from the country has been disabled since November 2024.

France’s National Gambling Authority ordered internet providers to block the platform last week, saying it exposed users to potential losses and offered markets that could be manipulated.

Polymarket said it would challenge the decision through the French legal system and called the order disproportionate because it covers users who visit the site for information rather than to trade.

“We were surprised at the ANJ decision to block access to our entire website because their measure targets people going to Polymarket purely for information,” the company said in a press release. 

“We are proud that most people come to Polymarket solely to learn the probability of future events relevant to their everyday life with no intention to trade,” the company added. “Prediction markets help source truth.”

The dispute turns in part on how Polymarket’s contracts should be classified. The company describes them as blockchain-based financial instruments traded directly between users, with prices set by market activity.