Spain ordered the blocking of Polymarket and Kalshi after opening sanction proceedings against the prediction market platforms for allegedly operating without the gambling authorization required under Spanish law.
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 said the platforms allow users to place bets on future events and may be violating national gambling rules by operating in Spain without administrative approval. The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation, or DGOJ, issued the website blocking order as a precautionary measure until the case is resolved.
The sanction proceeding was notified Tuesday through Spain’s Official State Gazette after direct notification attempts to the companies at their known foreign addresses were unsuccessful. The ministry said the procedure is expected to take three to four months before a final resolution.
Spanish regulators classify prediction markets as gambling when users wager on uncertain future outcomes. The platforms let users trade positions on the result of events, including elections, economic data, sports, and other outcomes, with prices reflecting market implied probabilities.
The DGOJ said unauthorized operators lack the technical and regulatory safeguards required in Spain, including identity verification, controls to prevent access by minors and self excluded users, and supervision standards designed to protect users.
