Spain’s Court Imposes a Ban on Access to Polymarket and Kalshi

(AsiaGameHub) –   Spain has taken action to block access to prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi. The country’s regulator, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), has launched a formal sanction process against the operators. Spanish users will be unable to access these platforms for at least a couple of months.

This enforcement action was published on the official website of the Ministry for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030. Spanish authorities argue that wagering money on future prediction events counts as gambling. Neither Polymarket nor Kalshi holds the licenses required under the country’s laws. The block will remain in place for roughly 3 to 4 months.

Spanish regulators view prediction markets as unlicensed betting operations. Therefore, under the nation’s gambling laws, staking funds to predict future outcomes is illegal.

Authorities frame this measure as a consumer protection step: unapproved platforms will fail to verify user identities, cannot prevent minors from using their services, nor stop individuals with gambling-related issues from accessing these sites.

Prior to implementing these restrictions, Spanish officials sent formal notices to both companies, but the required documentation was not submitted.

Spain’s case highlights a broader European debate surrounding prediction markets. Some countries classify these platforms as gambling products, while others see them as financial trading instruments.

Additionally, Polymarket has faced regulatory issues across Europe. Two years ago, France introduced similar laws. Several other countries have enforced restrictions, including Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, Romania, the Netherlands, Poland, and others.

Once the final ruling is issued, Polymarket and Kalshi will have three options:

• applying for a local operating license
• launching further legal challenges against the ruling
• blocking Spanish users from accessing their platforms