The French regulatory authority, Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has implemented a geographical blockade on Polymarket.com, a prediction betting platform focused on cryptocurrencies, which has been illegally offering online games in the country.
Throughout November, ANJ monitored Polymarket.com, operated by Web3 developer Adventure One QSS. It stated that the type of gambling offered on the site "possibly" violates French law.
This includes online gambling games, commonly known as slot machines, which are currently illegal in France.
At the end of November, ANJ contacted Adventure One QSS, licensed in Panama, about this issue. Both parties agreed that the operator would implement a geographical blocking system to prevent players within France from accessing the site.
Incidentally, this case was first exposed about a month ago when Bloomberg reported that ANJ might take action against Polymarket.com. According to other reports, the geographical blockade became effective on November 21.
The regulatory body stated that any players affected by this decision should contact Adventure One QSS for more information.
Polymarket also faces similar issues in the United States, where its operations are illegal. In 2022, the company was fined $1.4 million for failing to register with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, leading to a suspension of its operations.
Illegal Gambling Could Lead to Imprisonment
In France, providing illegal games is considered a criminal offense, which could result in imprisonment. This could lead to three years in jail and a fine of 90,000 euros (£74,557/$94,609). However, if the crime is committed by an organized group, the sentence increases to seven years in prison and a 200,000 euro fine.
So far, ANJ has blocked over 944 URLs that violate French gambling laws. Its blacklist is regularly updated and can be viewed on its website.
"Overall, ANJ wants to warn those who play on illegal sites, as they face particularly severe risks," ANJ stated. "These risks include non-payment of winnings, payment method fraud, identity theft, and the installation of malicious computer programs.
"If you have any doubts about the legality of a gambling site, please consult the list of sites approved by ANJ."
Will We See Legal Online Slot Machines in France Next Year?
The possibility of legalizing online slot machines in France has been a topic of discussion for some time. In October, the French government issued the strongest signal yet that it might push forward with such plans.
The government proposed a 2025 budget amendment to legalize online casino games. Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin subsequently confirmed that there would be a six-month consultation on the matter next year.
Due to the lengthy process, it is unlikely that any new laws will pass in 2025. However, if the consultations yield positive results, it could lead to legislation for legal periods being introduced in 2026.
