The French authority, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has geo-blocked Polymarket.com, a cryptocurrency-focused prediction betting site that has been unlawfully delivering online gambling in the nation.
ANJ watched Polymarket , which was run by Web3 developer Adventure One QSS, during November. It stated that the website’s gaming offerings were “likely” in violation of French laws.
Among the offerings were online games of chance, sometimes known as slots, which are presently not permitted in France.
In late November, ANJ approached Adventure One QSS, a Panama-licensed company, about the situation. It was decided that the operator would use a geoblocking technology to prohibit access from gamers in French territory.
Coincidentally, the matter initially surfaced around a month ago when Bloomberg reported that the ANJ may take action against Polymarket.com. Other sources indicate that the geolocation ban went into force on November 21.
The regulator advised any players affected by the decision to contact Adventure One QSS for further information.
Polymarket has had similar challenges in the United States, where it is not legally permitted to operate. It paid a $1.4 million punishment to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in 2022 for failing to register with the organization. Trading was halted at that moment.
See also:
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Illegal gambling can lead to jail time.
Offering illicit games in France is considered a criminal offense and may result in jail time. This might result in three years in prison and a €90,000 fine (£74,557/$94,609). If the offense is done by an organised gang, the penalty increases to seven years in jail and a €200,000 fine.
To far, the ANJ has blacklisted more than 944 URLs for violating French gaming rules. Its blacklist is routinely updated and accessible via its website.
“In general, the ANJ would like to warn people who play on illegal sites because they are exposing themselves to particularly serious risks,” according to the organization. “These include the non-payment of winnings, payment method fraud, identity theft and installation of malicious computer programmes.”If you have any worries regarding the legality of a gambling website, examine the ANJ’s list of permitted sites.
Could we see legal online slots in France next year?
The possibility of legalizing online slots in France has long been debated. In October, the French government provided the strongest hint yet that such preparations may proceed.
The government proposed an amendment to its 2025 budget to legalize internet casino games. Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin then indicated that a six-month consultation on the issue will take held next year.
Due to the length of this procedure, it seems doubtful that any new laws would be passed by 2025. However, if the survey yields good findings, it might lead to legislation enabling legal slots to be implemented in 2026.
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