The Netherlands has blocked Dutch users from accessing Polymarket after the country's gambling regulator concluded the platform operated as an unlicensed gambling service.
The Kansspelautoriteit issued a formal penalty order on Jan. 20, threatening fines of €420,000 per week - up to a €840,000 ceiling - if the platform failed to comply.
Dutch users, who collectively placed an estimated €27 million in bets on the platform, are now restricted from participating. Polymarket did not respond to requests for comment.
What Happened
The Ksa determined that Adventure One QSS Inc., Polymarket's registered operator, allowed Dutch users to register, deposit funds via local banks, and place wagers on political outcomes - including Dutch elections - without holding a Dutch gambling license.
Regulators confirmed the access using a Dutch IP address during their investigation.
The regulator rejected Polymarket's argument that its products function as financial prediction markets rather than gambling.
"These types of companies offer bets that are not permitted in our market under any circumstances, not even by license holders," said Ella Seijsener, the Ksa's director of licensing and supervision.
Political betting is prohibited in the Netherlands regardless of licensing status.
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Why It Matters
The Dutch action adds to a growing list of jurisdictions that have moved against Polymarket and similar platforms.
Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, and the U.K. have already blocked the site. Polymarket was previously fined $1.4 million by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission for offering unregistered derivatives.
The broader prediction market sector has expanded rapidly, with combined monthly trading volumes on leading platforms exceeding $13.5 billion and more than 43 million transactions processed as of November 2025, according to a report by Dune and Keyrock.
Rival Kalshi is currently defending a class action in New York alleging it operates as an unlicensed sportsbook.
The central regulatory dispute remains unresolved: operators argue their products are financial instruments; regulators across multiple jurisdictions classify them as wagering on uncertain outcomes - the statutory definition of gambling in most legal frameworks.
