Dutch regulators have ordered crypto prediction platform Polymarket to cease working within the Netherlands, warning it might face fines of as much as €840,000 if it fails to conform.
The choice marks the most recent escalation in Europe’s widening crackdown on the platform.
Polymarket is Shedding the European Market
The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch playing authority, issued a proper enforcement order towards Polymarket’s operator, Journey One QSS Inc., on Friday. The regulator stated Polymarket was providing unlawful playing companies and not using a Dutch license.
Authorities imposed a penalty of €420,000 per week if Polymarket continues serving Dutch customers. The fines might attain a most of €840,000, with further revenue-based penalties doable later.
The regulator stated prediction markets qualify as playing below Dutch regulation, no matter how the platform classifies them. It additionally careworn that betting on elections is prohibited fully, even for licensed operators.
Importantly, regulators highlighted Polymarket’s exercise round Dutch elections as a key concern. It warned that election betting might create societal dangers, together with potential affect over democratic processes.
The Netherlands’ resolution follows comparable motion in Portugal, the place regulators not too long ago blocked Polymarket nationwide.
Portuguese authorities intervened after the platform noticed heavy betting tied to the most recent presidential election outcomes.
Dealer guess $910 on right this moment’s presidential elections in Portugal and gained $44,000 on Polymarket
His complete revenue from betting quantities to $150,000
He has 3,366 predictions and most of them he bets on the politics
His guess on right this moment’s presidential elections in Portugal:
– $400 >… pic.twitter.com/VrBqLL0MXs
— AdiiX (@adiix_official) January 18, 2026
In the meantime, a number of different European international locations have taken comparable measures. Italy, Belgium, and Romania have blocked entry to Polymarket, whereas France restricted betting performance.
Hungary additionally issued a proper ban, citing unlawful playing exercise.
I consider Prediction Markets are violating the regulation. In 40 states we have now regulated betting that may’t market to youngsters, pays state taxes, protects sport integrity & reviews suspicious exercise to regulation enforcement. Prediction markets do none of that in any respect https://t.co/3dMAnS44Ex
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) February 5, 2026
Prediction Markets as Monetary Infrastructure or Playing Platform?
These actions replicate a rising consensus amongst European regulators. Authorities more and more classify prediction markets as playing after they function with out licenses.
Nevertheless, Polymarket’s creator, Shayne Coplan, has constantly rejected that classification. He argues that prediction markets operate as monetary infrastructure, much like derivatives markets, fairly than playing platforms.
Coplan maintains that prediction markets assist combination data and forecast real-world occasions. Regulators throughout Europe disagree.
Consequently, Europe has change into one of many strictest areas globally for prediction market platforms. The Netherlands’ menace of direct monetary penalties alerts that enforcement is shifting past entry blocks towards sustained authorized strain.
