Published on: June 19, 2026, at 11:42h.
Updated on: June 19, 2026, at 11:42h.
- Nine European gambling authorities caution that prediction markets lack critical consumer safeguards.
- Regulators are actively monitoring betting activity during the World Cup and may take enforcement actions against non-compliant prediction market platforms.
- Despite assertions of enhanced payouts, the odds for World Cup winner via prediction markets are similar to conventional sportsbooks.
Prediction markets pose significant risks, including elevated chances of financial loss, as stated by a coalition of European gambling regulators.
In a collaborative statement, gaming authorities from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland are alerting the public to the risks of betting on the World Cup through prediction markets. They indicate that these platforms lack essential consumer protections and responsible gaming measures compared to traditional bookmakers.
“These platforms operate without licenses, lack protective features, and are accessible 24/7. They do not impose betting limits other than the staked amounts, nor do they conduct identity verification checks to ensure legal age. The combination of visibility, ease of access, and the inherently viral nature of these platforms creates a considerable risk for addiction,” the statement expressed.
“It is crucial to highlight that these platforms carry significant risks of illegal activity, fund confiscation, insider fraud, and financial instability. Additionally, due to their unregulated nature in many nations, they can lead to serious addiction issues,” the statement continued.
World Cup: A Betting Extravaganza
Worldwide betting on the 2026 World Cup is projected to surpass $60 billion in legitimate, regulated markets.
When counting unregulated betting platforms, including offshore sportsbooks and local bookmakers, the total volume could approach $600 billion. These estimates come from Gaming Compliance International, a consultancy aiding governments and tribal nations in regulatory compliance and illicit gaming.
A substantial portion of this betting activity will occur on new prediction markets that facilitate trading on sports results, covering all 104 World Cup matches. Notably, the World Cup features an official prediction market on Predictstreet, a platform licensed in Gibraltar and supported by an organization based in Abu Dhabi.
“We will collaborate closely throughout this period, ensuring that gambling operators adhere to regulations concerning advertising, betting integrity, and player safety, and we will take necessary actions against any prediction market platforms that do not comply with our regulations,” the regulators stated.
Illustrating the World Cup’s impact on betting activity, DraftKings Predictions, the prediction market affiliated with the leading iGaming and sports betting platform, reported nearly a 90% increase in trading volume since the tournament commenced on June 11.
Do Prediction Markets Provide Superior Odds?
Some traders argue that prediction markets can deliver better payouts due to the absence of substantial state sports betting taxes; however, this is not evident for the outright victor of the World Cup.
France is currently regarded as the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup. On Kalshi, shares for France are trading at implied odds of 19%. A $100 investment at this rate would yield $498. Conversely, on DraftKings, France is listed at +400, or implied odds of 20%, where a $100 wager would return $500.
However, the Kalshi payout will be subject to the platform’s trading fees.