Spain joins growing list of countries shutting out Polymarket and Kalshi

Policy Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Spain joins growing list of countries shutting out Polymarket and Kalshi The platforms were blocked for operating without licenses required by Spanish gambling law, citing a lack of safeguards for minors and self-excluded gamblers. By Francisco Rodrigues | Edited by Sheldon Reback May 26, 2026, 12:06 p.m. 2 min read Make preferred on Kalshi website. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk) What to know : Spain initiated disciplinary proceedings against Polymarket and Kalshi, ordering internet service providers to block access to the platforms for offering unlicensed betting products. The prediction markets were blocked for operating without licenses required by Spanish gambling law, citing a lack of safeguards for minors and self-excluded gamblers. Spain's action increases the global regulatory scrutiny of the industry following similar moves in countries like Indonesia and India. Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs opened disciplinary proceedings against prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi and ordered internet service providers to block access to the platforms. In notices published in the country’s official state gazette, Spain’s gambling regulator, the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), said the companies were offering betting products tied to uncertain future events without the licenses required under Spanish law, according to local news outlets . Authorities said the precautionary blocking measures would remain in place while the cases proceed, a process expected to take three to four months. The notices came after regulators failed to notify the companies through known foreign addresses. Kalshi and Polymarket currently dominate prediction markets’ trading activity. Over the past 30 days, Kalshi recorded roughly $5.9 billion in trading volume while Polymarket processed about $3.8 billion, according to DeFiLlama data . Combined, the two platforms represent nearly 88% of the roughly $11 billion in trading volume among the sector’s top markets during the period. The move sees Spain join a growing number of jurisdictions targeting prediction markets as regulators debate whether the products should fall under gambling or financial market rules. Indonesia blocked Polymarket earlier this week under online gambling restrictions, as did India . Other countries including Taiwan, Thailand China, and Japan have restricted the platform, while Ukraine blocked it with no legal way for it to come back. Polymarket’s list of blocked countries also includes Belgium, Australia, France, the U.K., and Germany. The platform is relaunching in the U.S. Kalshi followed a different regulatory route in the U.S., where it operates under oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Still, it’s been under fire . Spanish authorities said unlicensed operators may lack safeguards such as identity checks, protections for minors and systems for self-excluded gamblers. Prediction Markets Polymarket Kalshi Regulation More For You Indonesia blocks Polymarket, calling prediction market online gambling in disguise By Francisco Rodrigues , AI Boost | Edited by Aoyon Ashraf 19 hours ago Authorities stated that using crypto or blockchain doesn't change platforms that let users wager on uncertain outcomes from being gambling products. What to know : Indonesia blocked the crypto prediction market Polymarket, classifying it as illegal online gambling under local law. Authorities stated that using crypto or blockchain doesn't change platforms that let users wager on uncertain outcomes from being gambling products. Indonesia's ban is part of a broader crackdown on prediction markets in Asia,... Read full story Latest Crypto News StablR freezes USDR and EURR after attacker mints $13.5 million in unbacked tokens 42 minutes ago Bitcoin ETFs crushed by billions in outflows as Treasuries stifle interest-rate cut hopes 47 minutes ago Bitcoin risks another lower high as stocks rally, AI tokens outperform 1 hour ago Bitcoin caught between critical onchain support and an options showdown 2 hours ago XRP Ledger to delete NFT junk and patch key bugs in a new upgrade 3 hours ago Hyperliquid takes a swing at Polymarket with macro outcome bets 5 hours ago Top Stories Ondo Finance founder Nathan Allman dies unexpectedly 5 hours ago At $322 billion, the stablecoin market value exceeds the FX reserves of 95 nations 5 hours ago Buterin says Ethereum Foundation will shrink, sell less ETH, and focus on 'CROPS' 20 hours ago HYPE briefly overtakes Dogecoin, privacy tokens slide as US strikes on Iran rattle markets 7 hours ago Hyperliquid is emerging as a challenger to traditional exchanges and prediction markets, says FalconX May 25, 2026