The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has acted decisively to halt access to the prediction market platform Polymarket in Ireland. This decision aligns with similar actions taken in France, where local authorities mandated Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to restrict access to Polymarket as part of regulatory compliance measures aimed at protecting consumers.
Under new gambling legislation effective July 1, 2026, any remote betting operators, including those running prediction market platforms, must secure a license from the GRAI to offer their services legally in Ireland.
In light of this, the GRAI has confirmed that it is investigating various cases of illegal gambling. Following the GRAI's intervention, Polymarket chose to implement geoblocking measures for users in Ireland, effectively restricting their access to the platform independently. The GRAI has not disclosed the identities of other involved companies in the investigation.
A spokesperson for the GRAI commented, "Following intervention by the GRAI, a major prediction market has geoblocked its service, which means that it has voluntarily restricted access to its platform from Ireland."
Polymarket is facing rising scrutiny from regulatory bodies across Europe, including those in Germany, Italy, and Spain. In addition, the platform has confronted various legal challenges in the United States from states such as Kentucky and Michigan, further complicating its operational landscape.
