The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued Polymarket with a cease-and-desist notice for offering “illegal gambling” in the market.
The regulator has ordered the prediction markets platform to shutter operations in the Netherlands with immediate effect.
Should Polymarket fail to comply with the order, the KSA said it will issue the company with a weekly fine of €420,000 (£367,112), capped at a maximum of €840,000.
The KSA confirmed it had previously contacted Polymarket regarding its involvement in the Dutch market, yet no change was implemented to date.
The regulator’s investigation into Polymarket first began in July 2025.
An individual was able to sign up to Polymarket and make a deposit, before being able to put money on a ‘yes or no’ outcome, which the KSA classes as a game of chance.
It was noted there were no protocols in place to stop Polymarket from targeting Dutch players.
A KSA statement read: “Although Polymarket itself states that prediction markets do not fall under the category of gambling, the Netherlands Gambling Authority has taken a different stance.
“After contacting the company about its illegal activities on the Dutch market, there has been no visible change, and the offering remains available.
“The Netherlands Gambling Authority is therefore now imposing this order, subject to a penalty. A turnover-related fine may also be imposed at a later date.”
Ella Seijsener, KSA director of licensing and supervision, added: “Prediction markets are on the rise, including in the Netherlands.
“These types of companies offer bets that are not permitted in our market under any circumstances, not even by licence holders.
“Besides the social risks of these kinds of predictions (for example, the potential influence on elections), we conclude this constitutes illegal gambling.
“Anyone without a KSA licence has no business in our market. This also applies to these new gambling platforms.”
So far this year, the KSA has handed out more than €5m worth of fines to several operators for various violations.
The regulator issued Starscream Limited with a €4.2m penalty for providing illegal gambling offerings to Dutch players.
ComeOn Group received a €750,000 sanction from the KSA for perceived duty of care failings between December 2023 and September 2024.
LeoVegas was also hit with a €500,000 penalty for duty of care failings, while bet365 was given a binding instruction to become compliant with regulations for similar violations.
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The post Dutch regulator issues Polymarket with cease-and-desist order first appeared on EGR Intel.
KSA orders prediction markets platform to shutter operations under the threat of a fine which could reach as high as €840,000
The post Dutch regulator issues Polymarket with cease-and-desist order first appeared on EGR Intel.