online prediction markets

France is blocking access to the online prediction market Polymarket, citing illegal advertising and a ban on financial transactions to the site. The national gaming authority ANJ reported increased visits from French users to Polymarket despite restrictions, and highlighted issues like a hacked weather agency and a US soldier using classified information for bets. France joins other European countries in restricting such platforms.

Online prediction markets are being used to make bets on scientific topics like climate change and quantum computing. However, researchers remain skeptical about the accuracy of these markets in forecasting scientific outcomes.