Polymarket announced it will challenge a French regulator's decision to block its website, calling the move unexpected and preparing a legal case.
The company said it will continue to engage with French officials to resolve the dispute, describing recent discussions as constructive.
The regulator, ANJ, ordered internet service providers to block the platform after concluding it remained accessible despite enforcement efforts.
ANJ cited monitoring since November 2024 and concerns that Polymarket's offerings could constitute unauthorized gambling under French law.
Polymarket had already suspended trading for French users in November 2024, allowing only informational access.
The company argues that the site offers valuable insights through prediction markets that reflect collective expectations about real-world events.
Polymarket distinguishes its model from traditional gambling, noting that it trades blockchain-based financial instruments tied to verifiable events, with prices set by peer-to-peer market activity.
The regulator maintains that prediction market sites lack the consumer protections of regulated gambling products and can be addictive.
ANJ also raised concerns about alleged manipulation in weather-related markets, an ongoing cybercrime investigation, and insufficient KYC checks on the platform.
The platform attracted more than 578,000 visits in June, prompting the regulator to continue monitoring for technical or compliance changes.
Polymarket says discussions with French authorities, including the cybercrime unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office, remain ongoing but does not provide a timetable for its legal challenge or for restoring access.
The dispute highlights tensions between financial technology innovation and regulatory oversight in France.
