Polymarket is blocked in France. In December 2024, after pressure from the ANJ (Autorite nationale des jeux — France’s National Gambling Authority), Polymarket implemented IP-based geoblocking for all French users. The block was triggered by a high-profile investigation into a French trader who made over $80 million on the platform during the 2024 US presidential election.
Current Status: Blocked
Polymarket has been geoblocked in France since December 2024. Unlike some countries where the block was initiated by the platform’s own compliance team, France’s block came after direct regulatory intervention by the ANJ.
French users attempting to access Polymarket see a message stating that persons in France are not permitted to use the platform. This is a Polymarket compliance decision — the platform agreed to geoblock France after discussions with the ANJ, avoiding formal enforcement proceedings.
In February 2026, the ANJ issued an additional public statement reiterating that all prediction market platforms are illegal in France, warning that they share addictive properties with online gambling but lack the required consumer protections such as spending limits, identity verification, and self-exclusion mechanisms.
Why France Blocked Polymarket
The Theo Whale Incident
The investigation began in late 2024 after a French trader using the pseudonym “Theo” made headlines by wagering over $30 million on Polymarket that Donald Trump would win the 2024 US presidential election. Operating through multiple anonymous accounts, Theo ultimately increased his exposure to approximately $80 million.
When Trump won, Theo’s payout exceeded $80 million — making him the biggest winner in Polymarket’s history and the largest individual bet ever placed on a prediction market. The story drew global media attention and, critically, the attention of French regulators.
The ANJ launched an investigation into how a French citizen was able to place such enormous wagers on an unlicensed platform operating freely in France. Polymarket’s lack of KYC meant the platform had no mechanism to identify or block French users proactively.
French Gambling Law
Under French law, the ANJ regulates all forms of online gambling. The legal framework is strict:
- Only sports betting, horse racing betting, and poker can be licensed for online play
- Betting exchanges are prohibited — all licensed operators must be traditional bookmakers
- Non-sports betting (politics, economics, entertainment, crypto) is illegal by definition
- Casino games (slots, table games) are prohibited online entirely
- Any platform offering unlicensed gambling services to French residents violates the 2010 Gambling Act (Loi n. 2010-476)
The ANJ classifies prediction markets as unauthorized gambling services. In their February 2026 statement, the regulator went further, warning that prediction markets “create a financial incentive to provoke or accelerate negative outcomes” — arguing that allowing bets on geopolitical events, elections, or violence could incentivize real-world harm.
AMF’s Position
The AMF (Autorite des marches financiers — France’s financial markets regulator) has not published specific warnings about Polymarket or taken direct regulatory action. The crackdown has been driven entirely by the ANJ under gambling law, not by financial regulators under securities or crypto law.
This matters because some jurisdictions are debating whether prediction markets should be regulated as financial instruments rather than gambling. In France, the ANJ has firmly claimed jurisdiction, treating them as gambling products subject to strict licensing requirements.
French Alternatives
France’s legal online betting market is one of the most restricted in Europe:
| Platform | Type | ANJ Licensed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betclic | Sportsbook, poker | Yes | Major French operator |
| Winamax | Sportsbook, poker | Yes | Popular in France |
| Parions Sport | Sportsbook | Yes | FDJ (national lottery) brand |
| PMU | Horse racing, sports | Yes | France’s horse racing authority |
| Unibet | Sportsbook, poker | Yes | Part of Kindred Group |
| Bwin | Sportsbook | Yes | Part of Entain group |
Key limitations:
- No prediction markets — politics, economics, and event betting are illegal
- No betting exchanges — France prohibits exchange-style platforms entirely
- Sports betting only — you bet against the house, not other users
- 16 ANJ-licensed operators as of 2026 — all follow the traditional bookmaker model
- Full KYC required on all licensed platforms
There is no legal Polymarket-equivalent available in France.
Accessing Polymarket from France
Polymarket restrictions are based solely on IP address — there is no KYC or identity verification on the platform. Some users in restricted regions access international platforms by routing their internet connection through a different geographic location. This is a common practice for accessing global financial and information services.
If you did access Polymarket, you’d need USDC. French crypto exchanges include:
| Exchange | EUR Deposits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | SEPA, card | AMF-registered DASP, Coinbase Connect works with Polymarket |
| Binance | SEPA, card | AMF-licensed, widest crypto selection |
| Kraken | SEPA | Low fees, no SEPA deposit fee, good USDC liquidity |
| Bitstamp | SEPA, card | Luxembourg-based, strong EUR support |
All major crypto exchanges operating in France are registered as DASPs (Digital Asset Service Providers) with the AMF, making crypto trading fully legal and regulated — even though using crypto on prediction markets is not.
Related Guides
- What Is Polymarket? — Learn about the platform
- Polymarket Country Availability — Check all country statuses
- How Prediction Markets Work — Understand the mechanics