Nine EU Regulators Warn Sports Bodies Over Prediction Market Deals
Nine gambling authorities from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland have issued a joint statement on prediction markets ahead of the World Cup. The regulators are coordinating action against unlicensed products and have told sports federations, leagues and teams to check the legal status of prediction market partners before signing deals.
Alongside traditional sportsbook supervision, the regulators will focus on prediction market products that let users place bets on political, sporting or geopolitical outcomes.
The statement reflects a familiar regulatory concern: prediction markets often describe themselves as trading or forecasting products, but their mechanics can resemble gambling.
The authorities said prediction markets have become more popular in recent years, especially among young adults. They highlighted several risk factors in countries where these products operate without a licence: 24 hour access, weak identity checks, no built in time limits and limited stake controls.
They also warned about broader risks. These include illegal activity, blocked customer funds, fraud linked to inside information and financial volatility.
The joint statement also addresses sports federations, leagues and teams directly. Regulators urged them to check whether prediction market products are lawful in their jurisdiction before signing major partnerships.
That warning matters because prediction market companies may approach sports bodies as tech, data or engagement partners rather than betting operators. The regulatory risk does not disappear because the commercial label changes.
For licensed operators, the message is also direct. Regulators are not only policing advertising, betting integrity and player protection during the World Cup. They are watching unlicensed competitors too.
The regulators plan to strengthen cross border cooperation through information sharing, expertise and good practice. Most of the authorities will also increase social media activity during the World Cup to promote safe gambling.
The timing matters. Spain has already taken enforcement action against Polymarket and Kalshi over alleged unlicensed gambling activity, and the World Cup gives the wider regulator group a high profile test of how far these products can move into sports betting.
💡 TGJ Take
This joint statement is less about prediction market companies and more about who let them in. Nine regulators acting together is a coordination signal, not just a warning to a handful of exchanges. The real new risk sits with sports federations, leagues and affiliates that sign content or data deals with prediction market companies without checking local licensing status first. A partnership that looked like a technology deal can turn into an unlicensed gambling exposure the moment a regulator disagrees with the label.
