Google has announced a significant change to its Chrome Web Store policies, prohibiting extensions that involve real-money prediction markets beginning in August 2026. This new regulation will ban extensions related to platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. However, extensions for simulated prediction markets will remain permissible, provided that users cannot win real money.
The decision follows a trend where regulators globally have shown increasing interest in overseeing prediction markets. While this policy prevents the use of prediction market extensions within the Chrome browser, users can still access prediction market platforms directly.
In recent actions, Google has already blocked access to Polymarket in certain U.S. states. This policy is part of a broader initiative by Google to improve the privacy and security of its Chrome ecosystem, particularly due to the extensive access browser extensions have to user data. As part of these changes, developers will face stricter regulations regarding data collection, including a requirement to inform users about the handling of their data.
