TITLE: Spain's Gaming Authority and European Regulators Issue Joint Statement on Prediction Market Risks During FIFA World Cup 2026
BODY:
On June 18, 2026, Spain's Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), an agency under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and 2030 Agenda, signed a joint declaration with gaming regulators from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland addressing risks associated with prediction market platforms during the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup.
Prediction market platforms allow users to buy and sell positions on the outcomes of sporting, political, or geopolitical events. The nine regulators identified significant consumer protection concerns, noting that these platforms operate without authorization and outside safeguards required of regulated gaming operators in most European jurisdictions. The platforms present addictive features including 24-hour availability, absence of spending or time limits, and insufficient identity verification mechanisms. The regulators also highlighted risks of illegality, fund blocking, fraud through insider information, and financial volatility. The declaration emphasizes that prediction markets have grown increasingly popular among young adults, creating a significant addictive cycle through their visibility, accessibility, and viral nature.
The signatory authorities committed to intensifying international cooperation during the tournament and taking action against prediction market platforms that breach local regulations. The regulators will coordinate on information exchange, expertise sharing, and best practices, with most increasing social media activity to promote safe gambling. The declaration also reminds sports federations, leagues, and clubs to verify the legality of prediction market platforms within their jurisdictions before entering commercial partnerships with them. The joint statement applies across all nine participating jurisdictions and covers the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and beyond.