Francuska potpuno blokira pristup stranici za klađenje na vijesti Polymarket

France has ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, an online prediction market, following claims that the platform continues to operate within the country despite existing restrictions. The decision came on Friday, July 17, 2026, as authorities cited ongoing activity from French users and alleged violations of gambling regulations. The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) announced that Polymarket’s website will now be inaccessible to users in France. This follows a November 2024 ban on financial transactions involving the platform from French accounts. Despite these measures, the ANJ reported that visits from French IP addresses to Polymarket increased significantly, reaching 578,751 in June 2026 alone. The regulator argued that the site’s real-time updating of betting odds constitutes unauthorized advertising, violating legal standards. Under French law, promoting unlicensed gambling platforms is considered a criminal offense, with potential fines up to €100,000. The ANJ stated that Polymarket operates as one of several online prediction markets allowing individuals to wager on the outcomes of future events. These platforms function similarly to traditional bookmakers but often cover a broader range of topics, including political developments, weather forecasts, and even military operations. In April 2026, France’s weather agency, Meteo-France, filed a complaint alleging that one of its weather probes had been hacked to manipulate bets on Polymarket. An investigation into the incident was launched by the Paris prosecutor’s office under the Office Against Cybercrime (OFAC). The issue of prediction markets has drawn attention beyond France. A U.S. soldier faces federal charges for allegedly using classified information to place bets on markets linked to the January 2026 operation to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. According to prosecutors, the individual reportedly earned over $400,000 through these illegal activities. Additionally, the White House recently suspended a teleprompter operator over allegations that they placed bets on the content of former President Donald Trump’s speeches via a prediction market. French regulators are not alone in their concerns. Several other European nations, including Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic, have either restricted or banned access to similar platforms. The ANJ emphasized that while France permits online sports betting, prediction markets remain a gray area due to their unique blend of speculative and informational elements. The ANJ highlighted that the growing interest in prediction markets has prompted regulatory scrutiny globally. However, the hybrid nature of these platforms, combining elements of finance, data analysis, and social forecasting, has led to varied approaches among governments. Some jurisdictions view them as legitimate tools for risk assessment, while others, like France, see them as potential threats to public safety and data integrity. As enforcement actions continue, the impact on users and operators of prediction markets remains uncertain. While some argue that these platforms offer valuable insights into societal trends, critics warn of the risks associated with misuse, particularly when sensitive information is involved. With increasing regulatory pressure, the future of prediction markets in France, and elsewhere, will likely depend on how effectively authorities can balance innovation with oversight.