TLDR Ireland’s gambling regulator, GRAI, told Polymarket and Kalshi to block Irish users or face High Court enforcement. Both platforms added Ireland to their restricted jurisdictions as of July 21. The move follows similar bans in France, Czechia, and several Canadian provinces. France ordered internet providers to block Polymarket entirely, citing addictive features and no self-exclusion tools. Irish officials have also raised concerns about suspicious bets and possible money laundering on prediction markets.
Ireland’s gambling regulator has told prediction market platforms to block access for Irish users or face legal action.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, known as GRAI, confirmed the warning to Gambling Insider this week.
Polymarket and Kalshi have both added Ireland to their lists of restricted countries.
Polymarket updated its list on July 21. Kalshi already listed Ireland as restricted in its user agreement.
GRAI said any company offering remote betting services to Irish users needs a license under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
The regulator said prediction markets that offer betting activities count as remote betting services under Irish law.
What Happens If Platforms Don’t Comply
GRAI said unlicensed operators must stop Irish users from accessing their platforms.
If they don’t, the regulator said it will ask the High Court for orders to force compliance.
GRAI said one prediction market platform already stopped new signups. It also blocked existing Irish accounts from making deposits or opening new positions.
A second platform agreed to block Irish access by July 21.
The regulator called unlicensed prediction markets a top focus of its investigations into black market gambling.
GRAI added that some cases could lead to prosecutions.
Other Countries Are Taking Similar Steps
Ireland’s move follows France, which ordered internet providers to block Polymarket on July 16.
French regulators said Polymarket lacked self-exclusion tools and