Spain Blocks Polymarket and Kalshi Over Licensing Violations

Spain's Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has ordered the immediate blocking of predictive market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi. The decision, effective May 26, 2026, follows allegations of operating without mandatory gambling licenses. This move aligns with a growing global crackdown on unlicensed prediction markets.

Regulators initiated the action after complaints from licensed domestic operators. The precautionary block will remain in place for 3-4 months during formal proceedings. Over a dozen countries have now restricted access to these platforms, signaling heightened scrutiny of crypto-adjacent prediction markets.

The Spanish Ministry of Social Rights maintains that all gambling operators must comply with local licensing requirements. This enforcement comes as both platforms had recently expanded into crypto derivatives products, drawing additional regulatory attention.