Polymarket Geo-Blocked in France for Gambling Violations
France’s gambling regulator, L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has implemented a geo-block on Polymarket.com.
Polymarket logo. French gambling regulator blocks Polymarket for illegal gambling.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The site, run by Web3 developer Adventure One QSS, was found to be offering online gambling activities that are not permitted under French law.
In November, ANJ monitored Polymarket.com’s operations and found it offered online games of chance such as slots, which are illegal in France. The regulator deemed this activity “likely” to violate the country’s legal framework.
Following a review, ANJ contacted Adventure One QSS, which is licensed in Panama, to address the matter. By the end of November, the two parties agreed that Polymarket.com would implement geo-blocking measures to restrict access from French users. Reports indicate that this block has been in effect since November 21, and players affected by the restriction are advised to contact Adventure One QSS for assistance.
Polymarket has faced regulatory challenges in other jurisdictions as well. In the United States, the platform paid a $1.4 million fine in 2022 after failing to register with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which led to a temporary halt in its trading activities.
France's Strict Gambling Laws
Operating unauthorized gambling services in France is a serious offense, with harsh penalties for violators. Individuals involved could face up to three years in prison and fines of €90,000. If the offense is carried out by an organized group, penalties increase to seven years in prison and €200,000 in fines.
L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux actively enforces these regulations and has blocked over 944 websites that breached French gambling laws.
The ANJ also issued a warning to consumers about the risks of using illegal gambling platforms.
In general, the ANJ would like to warn people who play on illegal sites because they are exposing themselves to particularly serious risks. These include the non-payment of winnings, payment method fraud, identity theft, and installation of malicious computer programs. If you have any doubts about the legality of the gambling website, consult the list of sites approved by the ANJ.
More Regulation News
The Future of Online Slots in France
Discussions about the potential legalization of online slots in France are ongoing. In October, the government proposed an amendment to the 2025 budget, which suggested there was a move towards permitting online casino games. Budget minister Laurent Saint-Martin confirmed that a six-month consultation on the matter would take place next year.
Despite this development, any legislation allowing online slots is unlikely to be enacted before 2026. The consultation process will need to produce favorable results before new regulations can be introduced.
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