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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.
May 26, 2026, 12:06 p.m. 2 min read
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.
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.
