Polymarket to challenge France’s nationwide website block
CoinDesk 2026-07-23 11:53:53
Context: Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market platform, plans to challenge France's decision to block its website nationwide, arguing that the order prevents users from accessing its market probabilities despite trading from the country being disabled since November 2024. France's National Gambling Authority had ordered internet providers to block the platform, citing risks of loss, identity-check, and market manipulation. The move follows similar actions in Ukraine, Argentina, and Spain.
Key Facts
- Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan stated that the company will challenge France's full-site block through the French legal system, arguing that the order is disproportionate and affects users who visit the site for information rather than to trade.
- France's National Gambling Authority ordered internet providers to block Polymarket, citing concerns that the platform exposed users to potential losses and offered markets that could be manipulated, and that it remained accessible after trading restrictions were introduced.
- Polymarket had already disabled trading from France since November 2024, but the French regulator argued that users could still view its markets and live probabilities, prompting the nationwide website block.
- The French regulator also cited concerns over identity checks and suspected manipulation of weather-related markets, and classified Polymarket's contracts as unauthorized gambling services.
- Other countries, including Ukraine, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Romania, have also restricted access or classified Polymarket as an unauthorized gambling platform, with Ukraine currently having no legal framework through which the platform could operate.