TITLE: Nine European Gambling Regulators Issue Joint Declaration on Prediction Markets During Football World Cup
BODY:
On June 17, 2026, the gambling regulators of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland issued a joint declaration addressing prediction markets ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The declaration highlights concerns about unregulated prediction market platforms and commits the nine authorities to enhanced cross-border cooperation to enforce compliance with local regulations.
The regulators identified prediction markets as a rapidly growing form of gambling, particularly among young adults, which presents significant addictive characteristics. These platforms allow users to bet on the outcomes of political, sporting, and geopolitical events. The authorities expressed concern that unregulated prediction market platforms operating in their jurisdictions lack consumer protections, including 24-hour accessibility without integrated betting limits, inadequate age and identity verification, and no time-restriction mechanisms. The regulators noted that prediction markets carry serious risks of illegality, fund blocking, insider trading fraud, and financial volatility. The declaration emphasizes that unregulated platforms in most jurisdictions can create severe gambling addiction problems.
The nine authorities committed to close collaboration during the World Cup and beyond to ensure gambling operators comply with advertising regulations, betting integrity requirements, and player protection standards. The regulators stated they will take enforcement action against prediction market platforms that fail to comply with local regulations. The declaration also calls on sports organisations, including federations, leagues, and teams, to verify the legality of prediction market platforms in their territories before entering major partnerships. The regulators will strengthen cross-border cooperation through information and expertise sharing, and most will intensify social media activity during the competition to promote safe gambling practices.