Dutch Regulator Orders Polymarket to Halt Unlicensed Betting Operations

The Netherlands Playing Authority has moved in opposition to prediction markets platform Polymarket, ordering its Dutch affiliate, Journey One, to cease providing wagering providers to residents with out a allow.

Key Takeaways:

• Dutch regulators ordered Polymarket’s affiliate to halt operations for providing unlicensed betting to residents.
• Authorities stated prediction market wagers are unlawful within the Netherlands, even for licensed playing operators.
• The case displays wider world regulatory strain on event-based contracts and prediction platforms.

In a discover launched Tuesday, the regulator stated the corporate should “stop its actions instantly” or danger penalties of as much as $990,000.

Officers stated the platform allowed customers within the Netherlands to put bets prohibited below nationwide regulation, together with contracts tied to native elections, and had failed to answer earlier requests from authorities to deal with the problem.

Prediction Markets Not Permitted Beneath Dutch Nationwide Playing Guidelines

“Prediction markets are on the rise, together with within the Netherlands,” stated Ella Seijsener, the authority’s director of licensing and supervision.

She added that such operators present wagers that aren’t allowed within the Dutch market below any circumstances, even for licensed playing firms.

Earlier this yr, the corporate’s chief authorized officer Neal Kumar stated the agency was open to discussions with regulators whereas US federal courts take into account questions over oversight of prediction markets.

The dispute mirrors broader regulatory rigidity round event-based contracts. In the US, platforms providing related merchandise have drawn scrutiny from state authorities, lots of which argue the providers resemble sports activities betting.

On the similar time, management on the Commodity Futures Buying and selling Fee has pushed again in opposition to state intervention, asserting federal jurisdiction over prediction market exercise.

The enforcement motion additionally comes as Dutch lawmakers debate tighter guidelines affecting digital property.

The nation’s Home of Representatives just lately superior a proposal introducing a 36% capital positive aspects tax on sure investments, a measure anticipated to cowl cryptocurrencies if enacted.

Ought to the Senate approve the plan, the tax may take impact as early as 2028.

For now, the regulator’s order locations Polymarket’s operations within the Netherlands on maintain, highlighting how quickly rising prediction markets are colliding with nationwide playing frameworks throughout a number of jurisdictions.

Dutch Oblique Crypto Investments Hit €1.2B

As reported, Dutch publicity to cryptocurrency by way of monetary securities has grown quickly over the previous 5 years, reaching about €1.2 billion by October 2025, in response to De Nederlandsche Financial institution (DNB).

The rise largely displays rising costs of main digital property fairly than a surge of latest investor cash.

Holdings stood at roughly €81 million on the finish of 2020, displaying how valuation positive aspects have expanded crypto-linked investments throughout households, establishments and firms.

Regardless of the soar, direct possession of cryptocurrencies stays comparatively restricted for a lot of buyers.

Even with the expansion, crypto securities symbolize solely about 0.03% of the Netherlands’ total funding market, indicating conventional property nonetheless dominate portfolios.

Final yr, Dutch crypto agency Amdax raised €30 million ($35 million) to launch Amsterdam Bitcoin Treasury Technique (AMBTS), a devoted Bitcoin treasury firm that plans to build up as much as 1% of the full BTC provide, or roughly 210,000 Bitcoin.

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