Prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi have restricted access for users in Ireland following warnings from the country’s gambling regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which threatened High Court enforcement action. The GRAI confirmed to Gambling Insider that it had warned major prediction market platforms operating without a license that they must block Irish users or face legal consequences.
The GRAI’s intervention targets platforms that offer event-based wagering without holding a license under Ireland’s gambling laws. Both Polymarket and Kalshi have now added Ireland to their lists of restricted jurisdictions, effectively barring Irish residents from placing bets on their platforms. The regulator’s stance underscores its authority to enforce compliance even against offshore operators that do not have a physical presence in the country.
Prediction markets, which allow users to bet on outcomes of events ranging from elections to sports, have faced increasing scrutiny from regulators worldwide. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, these platforms often operate in a legal gray area, with some jurisdictions treating them as financial instruments rather than gambling products. The GRAI’s move aligns with a broader trend of regulators asserting jurisdiction over online gambling activities that target local consumers without proper authorization.
The action by the GRAI signals that Ireland is taking a proactive approach to regulating emerging forms of wagering, particularly those that operate outside the traditional licensing framework. For Polymarket and Kalshi, the restriction removes a small but potentially significant market, while for Irish users, it limits access to a popular alternative betting platform. The development also serves as a warning to other unlicensed operators that the GRAI is prepared to use court orders to enforce compliance.
Industry observers will watch for further enforcement actions by the GRAI against other unlicensed platforms, as well as potential responses from Polymarket and Kalshi, which may seek to obtain licenses in Ireland or challenge the regulator’s jurisdiction.