Spain's gambling regulator has ordered Polymarket and Kalshi blocked nationwide as part of disciplinary proceedings against both platforms for operating without the required administrative authorization in the country.
The action, published in Spain's Official State Gazette on Tuesday, was taken by the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation, part of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030.
The blocking is precautionary pending the outcome of proceedings expected to last three to four months.
Spain classifies prediction markets as gambling when bets are placed on uncertain future outcomes, requiring operators to hold a specific administrative license to serve users in the country. Unauthorized platforms also lack the identity verification systems, minor access controls, and self-exclusion mechanisms that Spanish law mandates, the regulator said.
Both companies were unreachable for direct notification at their known addresses abroad, the regulator said. Thus, Spanish officials served the notice via the Official State Gazette under standard administrative procedure.
