The Czech Ministry of Finance has added Polymarket to its list of “Unauthorised Internet Gambling Games”. Under Czech law, internet service providers now have 15 days to block access to the platform. The decision puts Polymarket Czech Republic in line with a growing number of countries taking action against prediction markets.

• Czech authorities say prediction markets work much like traditional betting. Users put money on uncertain events such as elections, sports results, political decisions or even the weather, even if the platforms describe them as contracts instead of bets. Germany, Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and Brazil have already taken similar action against Polymarket.
• The Czech Institute for Gambling Regulation (https://www.iprh.cz) says changing the terminology does not change the nature of the product. It noted that regulators in the Netherlands, France and the UK have all concluded that prediction markets should fall under gambling rules. Jan Řehola, Director of the Institute, said: “If something looks like betting, works like betting and people can win or lose money on uncertain events, we cannot stop treating it as gambling simply because it is called a contract.”
• The Institute also pointed to the size of the market. It said Kalshi recorded around USD 238 billion in trading volume during 2025, while Polymarket handled about USD 220 billion. According to the Institute, products of this scale should be subject to the same rules on player protection, anti-money laundering and market oversight as licensed gambling operators. Polymarket Czech Republic is expected to remain part of that discussion.
• The Ministry’s decision is expected to serve as a reference point for future cases involving prediction markets. The Institute said other similar platforms are still available internationally and should also be reviewed under Czech gambling law where appropriate.

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