France said Friday it was blocking access to the online prediction market Polymarket, as punters continued to make bets despite a ban already in place.
The national gaming authority ANJ said that Polymarket’s webpage would be blocked on French territory, which adds to a November 2024 ban on financial transactions to the site.
Polymarket is one of a number of online prediction markets which allow people to bet on the outcome of future events.
The ANJ said the site’s continued availability — where betting odds on different events are updated in real time — constituted advertising.
“Advertising, by any means whatsoever, in favour of an unauthorised betting or gambling site is a criminal offence,” the ANJ said, and noted the fines could reach 100,000 euros ($114,000).
