- France ordered internet providers to block access to Polymarket.
- Regulators say the platform offers unauthorized gambling services.
- The move comes before the World Cup final settles record prediction market volumes.
France's gambling regulator has ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, preventing users from accessing the prediction market platform ahead of the FIFA World Cup final.
Authorities said the platform promotes unauthorized gambling services and raised concerns that some markets may be vulnerable to manipulation. The order follows earlier restrictions that limited French users but failed to stop traffic to the platform.
The timing is significant, as the World Cup final is expected to settle Polymarket's largest prediction market ever, with more than $4 billion in trading volume. Rival platform Kalshi has also recorded over $1.2 billion in volume on its World Cup final market.
France joins several other countries that have recently taken action against prediction markets, including the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Brazil, as regulators continue increasing scrutiny of the sector.
