Prediction Markets Face EU Scrutiny During World Cup

Regulators Issue Joint Warning

Nine gambling regulators from Europe have released a joint warning. Involved are the authorities of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. They predict that there will be more betting during the World Cup. Meanwhile, prediction markets are gaining traction in numerous countries.

Prediction markets are markets where people wager money on the likelihood of an event. These events can be sports games, elections, or other important topics. But some of those services bear striking resemblance to normal sports betting, the regulators have said.

Concerns About Player Protection

Regulators said some services may not provide the same protections found in licensed gambling markets. Several concerns were listed:

• Weak age checks

• No betting limits

• Access at any time of day

• Strong promotion on social media

• Greater risk of gambling harm

World Cup Brings Extra Attention

The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Millions of people are expected to watch and place bets during the tournament. Because of this, regulators plan to watch the market more closely. They will work together and share information during the event.

Their checks will focus on advertising, player safety, and betting integrity. They also said they will act against companies that break local rules. The warning comes at an important time — with betting activity expected to increase sharply.

Sports Groups Also Receive Warning

The regulators did not focus only on operators. They also spoke directly to sports organisations. Leagues, clubs, and sports federations were told to check whether prediction market companies are allowed to operate in their countries.

Officials said sports groups should make sure all partnership deals follow local laws. This could help avoid legal problems later. Beyond the World Cup, regulators want sports organisations to take a more careful approach.

Spain Takes Action as Debate Grows

The country's gambling regulator temporarily blocked access to services from Kalshi and Polymarket. Authorities said the companies did not have the approval needed to operate locally. Meanwhile, calls for tighter rules continue to grow. The World Lottery Association has asked governments to regulate prediction markets in the same way as sports betting.

The group says any product that pays out based on a sports result should be treated as a bet — even if it uses financial market terms. Market growth is also drawing attention. Some analysts believe annual trading volumes could reach $1 trillion by 2030.

That growth may create new business opportunities. However, it is also bringing more questions from regulators across Europe. As the World Cup continues, the debate over prediction markets is likely to remain in focus.