The regulatory scrutiny of prediction markets across Europe continues, with authorities questioning whether they should be treated as gambling. The latest case involves Robinhood’s sponsorship of OGC Nice, while Polymarket continues to face access blocking.
ANJ investigates Robinhood–OGC Nice sponsorship
ANJ, the French regulator, has launched an investigation into prediction market operator Robinhood, a current OGC Nice shirt sponsor.
The partnership attracted regulators' attention because neither prediction markets nor their promotion are authorised in France. Thus, ANJ is evaluating whether the deal is promoting an illegal gambling product. However, only US residents can access Robinhood's event contracts.
The American operator has sponsored OGC Nice since 1 July 2025.
This is not the first ANJ action targeting prediction markets. In July this year, the regulator ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket. The move followed the regulator’s assessment that Polymarket’s offering constitutes illegal gambling.
Due to a similar situation in Italy, FC Lazio and Polymarket mutually agreed to terminate their sponsorship deal in August. Regulators' action and political scrutiny preceded the termination.
Elsewhere, the Lithuanian regulator LPT, following an investigation and a court ruling, ordered the blocking of access to Polymarket yesterday.
Lithuania blocks Polymarket access
LPT issued binding orders to communication and payment service providers, instructing them to block local citizens’ access to the platform.
Commenting on its investigation, the regulator wrote: "Although the website stated that it offered the opportunity to participate in a ‘prediction market ’- a system in which participants trade with each other by buying or selling their predictions of the outcome of an event – the investigation identified signs of gambling – betting."
Polymarket and other prediction markets face extensive regulatory scrutiny in Europe. Other countries that have either blocked or restricted Polymarket include Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
Criticism of prediction markets stretches beyond Europe. In the US, numerous states are trying to block such operators, arguing they do not comply with state regulations and many legal cases are currently underway.
Polymarket recently entered into a partnership with NBA star LeBron James
