Crypto News – Polymarket Blocks French Traders Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Crypto News – Polymarket Faces Backlash in France After Massive Bets on U.S. Election

Crypto News – Polymarket, a leading prediction markets platform, has blocked French traders from accessing its site, days after reports surfaced that the French government was investigating the platform for potential violations of the country’s gambling laws. On Friday, a reporter using a VPN attempted to access Polymarket from a French server but encountered a digital blockade, confirming that the restriction was in effect.

This move comes after Polymarket found itself under scrutiny from France’s national gaming authority, the ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux). The investigation began following reports that a French trader placed significant bets on the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, specifically backing Donald Trump to win. This high-profile wager attracted the attention of regulators, who are now investigating whether Polymarket complies with French gambling regulations.

Why France is Investigating Polymarket

The ban and subsequent investigation are tied to growing concerns about online gambling and the legality of prediction markets in France. Prediction markets like Polymarket allow users to place bets on the outcomes of real-world events, a model that has raised questions regarding compliance with local gambling laws. In particular, regulators are concerned about the ease with which French citizens could access markets on issues that are not regulated under traditional gambling frameworks, such as political events.

While Polymarket’s terms of service at the time of writing did not explicitly mention the ban, the platform’s enforcement of restrictions suggests that the company is taking a cautious approach to avoid further legal complications. The French crypto news site, The Big Whale, was the first to report on the restriction, drawing attention to the platform’s ongoing regulatory challenges in the country.

Polymarket’s Response and Regulatory Pressure

Polymarket has yet to issue an official response regarding the ban, and neither Polymarket nor the ANJ responded to requests for comment. However, the ban reflects the broader trend of increased regulatory scrutiny on decentralized and prediction-based platforms in Europe. With increasing concerns about gambling addiction and financial risks associated with prediction markets, governments are tightening their grip on platforms that enable real-money betting on such events.

What’s Next for Polymarket in France?

The ban is the latest development in the ongoing tension between decentralized prediction markets and national regulators. As Polymarket faces mounting pressure to comply with local laws, the platform could be forced to reconsider its approach in France. This could involve modifying the platform’s terms of service for French users or potentially halting operations in the country entirely if the investigation leads to formal penalties.