European Regulators Warn on Prediction Market Risks for FIFA World Cup 2026

Joint Statement

The document focuses on the risks associated with so‑called prediction markets, platforms that allow buying and selling positions on the outcome of sporting, political, or geopolitical events and which, in most European jurisdictions, operate without authorization and outside the safeguards required of regulated gambling operators.

The nine regulators warn that these platforms present characteristics that may encourage addictive behavior, particularly due to their permanent availability, the absence of time or spending limits, and insufficient identity verification mechanisms. They also highlight risks related to the illegality of these activities, the blocking of funds, insider‑information fraud, and high financial volatility.

In this context, the signatory authorities commit to intensifying international cooperation during the World Cup and to taking action, when necessary, against prediction market platforms that fail to comply with the regulations in each country. Likewise, they remind sports federations, leagues, and clubs of the need to verify the legality of these platforms before entering into commercial agreements with them.

Gambling regulators of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland

"It is now the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup. 

We recognize that this is one of the most important and high-profile tournaments in the world and that we are therefore likely to see an increase in betting activity. 

During this competition, alongside consumer protection issues, a form of gambling that is relatively new to many jurisdictions is sure to be the talk of the town: prediction market platforms. They have become increasingly popular over the last few years, particularly for young adults. 

By allowing users to place bets on the outcome of political, sporting or geopolitical events, prediction markets have several addictive features, which are worsened by the fact that, , in those countries where these platforms are not licensed they don’t offer any safeguards: platforms are open 24 hours a day, there are no built-in betting limits apart from the amounts staked, no time limits, light identity checks to verify that users are of legal age, etc. The combination of visibility, accessibility and the viral nature inherent to this type of platform creates a significant addictive cycle. 

As regulators, we have a key role to play in ensuring player protection throughout the tournament and that prediction markets must operate in accordance with the licensing and regulatory requirements of a given jurisdiction. It is important to emphasize that this type of platform involves serious risks of illegality, fund blocking, fraud through insider information, and financial volatility. Furthermore, because they are unregulated in most countries, they can create serious addiction problems. 

We will therefore be working closely together on this issue during this period; and in doing so we will not only ensure that gambling operators comply with regulations on advertising, betting integrity and player protection, but also act, where necessary, against prediction markets platforms that fail to comply with our local regulations. 

We would also like to remind the various stakeholders in the sporting world, particularly sports federations, leagues and teams, to ensure that these platforms are lawful within their jurisdiction before entering into major partnerships with them. 

Of course, throughout the tournament and beyond, we will be developing greater cross-border cooperation, particularly through the exchange of information, expertise and best practice, and most of us will step up our social media activity during the competition to promote safe gambling."