The Dutch gambling regulator has issued an order to Polymarket, halting its operations in the Netherlands based on the country’s gambling laws. According to a ruling made on January 20, 2026, the Kansspelautoriteit found that Adventure One QSS Inc., the operator of polymarket.com, enabled Dutch users to register, deposit funds, and place bets without the requisite local gambling license.
The investigation confirmed that individuals in the Netherlands could easily create accounts and deposit €10 via a Dutch bank using Mastercard, allowing them to wager on various political scenarios, including predictions related to Dutch elections. This finding led the Kansspelautoriteit to conclude that the platform violates the Dutch Gambling Act, specifically under Article 1(1)(a), which strictly prohibits the operation of unlicensed games of chance.
Polymarket now faces a significant deadline. They must cease operations for Dutch users within four weeks or incur fines of €420,000 per week, with a total potential penalty reaching €840,000. In its defense, Polymarket argued that its services operate as financial prediction markets rather than gambling. However, the regulator rejected this standpoint, emphasizing that the payouts depend on uncertain external events, thus fitting the statutory definition of a game of chance.
Polymarket, alongside similar platforms, has not only faced scrutiny from Dutch regulators but has also encountered enforcement actions in various other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and multiple European nations. This extensive scrutiny highlights the growing regulatory challenges these platforms face globally, making it essential for investors and users to understand the legal implications of engaging with online prediction markets.