French regulators think they can stop the internet by pulling a plug, but they're in for a rude awakening.
On July 17, 2026, France's National Gambling Authority, the ANJ, officially ordered the country's internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, the massive decentralized prediction platform. This escalation comes after a long, quiet war between the state and French bettors who refuse to stop playing on the site. Also making news recently: What Most People Get Wrong About Argentina Malvinas Banner.
Here's the problem: blocking a domain is like putting up a "Keep Out" sign on an open field. It doesn't work, it misses the entire point of Web3 technology, and it ignores what French citizens actually want.
The Illusion of a Block
The ANJ claims this ban is about protecting people. They point to risks of massive financial losses and the potential manipulation of wagers. In their eyes, Polymarket's constant real-time updates and odds on politics, sports, and pop culture amount to illegal advertising. The regulator previously attempted to ban financial transactions to the site in late 2024. Additional insights on this are detailed by NPR.
Clearly, nobody listened.
In June 2026 alone, French IP addresses logged 578,751 visits to Polymarket. That's over half a million visits in a single month from a population that was supposed to be restricted. French users are bypassing geo-blocks with basic Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The ANJ's new order forcing ISPs to block the DNS of the website won't change this behavior. Anyone with a free VPN or a custom DNS provider like Cloudflare or Google can circumvent these blocks in under thirty seconds.
The state is trying to use 20th-century censorship tools on 21st-century decentralized protocols. It's embarrassing.
When Weather Probes and Classified Info Become Betting Markets
Why is France so terrified of prediction markets?
It isn't just about normal gambling. Prediction markets have become incredibly accurate at forecasting real-world events, sometimes beating intelligence agencies and traditional pollsters. But that power comes with chaotic side effects.
Take a look at what has been happening globally:
- Market manipulation: The ANJ cited a bizarre incident in April 2026 where hackers compromised a Météo-France weather probe specifically to skew data and win a weather-related betting contract.
- National security leaks: In the United States, regulators are scrambling to draft new rules after a soldier reportedly pocketed $400,000 by betting on events using classified information.
- Political chaos: White House staff have faced suspensions, including a teleprompter operator, over insider trading on policy-related prediction markets.
With prediction markets and platforms like Kalshi hitting an estimated $40 billion in trading volume, they are no longer niche playgrounds for crypto nerds. They are major financial forces.
Estimated Prediction Market Trading Volume (Polymarket + Kalshi)
2024: ~$10 Billion
2025: ~$40 Billion
Because these platforms allow you to bet on literally anything, governments are realizing they have zero control over the narrative or the markets.
Europe is Shrinking the Sandbox
France isn't the only country building a digital wall. Spain issued a temporary ban on Polymarket and Kalshi, while Germany and Italy have also steadily squeezed these platforms out.
The regulatory excuse is always the same: consumer protection and the prevention of addiction. The ANJ argues that these sites lack the responsible gambling tools that licensed operators must provide.
But let's be real. European regulators are terrified of the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) compliance nightmare and the lack of tax collection on these platforms. When a French citizen bets on Polymarket, the French treasury gets exactly zero Euros in taxes. That hurts the state far more than any philosophical concern about gambling addiction.
What to Do if You are a French User
If you are living in France and want to navigate this shifting landscape, you need to understand the realities of the ban.
Use Secure, Private DNS
Many ISP-level blocks simply redirect your DNS requests. Switching your device or router settings to a public, secure DNS provider like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) often bypasses basic ISP blocks entirely.
Rely on Reputable VPNs
Using a premium VPN remains the most common way to access the broader web. However, remember that Polymarket itself has its own terms of service regarding restricted jurisdictions.
Understand the Regulatory Risks
The French state can target the ISPs, but they can also go after local promoters. Advertising or actively promoting banned sites can carry fines up to €100,000 in France. If you are an influencer or content creator, keep this in mind.
The ANJ is fighting a losing battle against decentralized technology. They can block the domain, but they can't block the blockchain.
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