Polymarket exits Ireland

[The Buzz]

Polymarket has geoblocked users in Ireland, becoming the second major prediction market to exit the country amid increased scrutiny from the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).

Ireland is now listed among the platform's 37 restricted jurisdictions, following a Dublin Central by-election that saw about €4 million ($4.6 million) wagered on the outcome across 12 candidates.

From Irish Examiner:

The GRAI has threatened High Court action to regulate prediction markets that currently operate without a licence in Ireland. As of July 1, 2026, any remote betting service operator must hold a GRAI license.

“The GRAI has a number of live investigations open in relation to black market gambling, with a view to potential prosecutions in due course," a spokesperson for the regulator said to the Irish Examiner.

“Following intervention by the GRAI, a major prediction market has geoblocked its service, which means that it has voluntarily restricted access to its platform from Ireland.

“Controls have been implemented to prevent the creation of new accounts by users located in Ireland, and accounts identified as located in Ireland are currently restricted from depositing funds or opening new positions."

Read more: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/c...-41883400.html

[Sherlock]

It is funny how blockchain betting platforms, who exist only to obfuscate the regulators, start with KYC and geoblocks once they became too big.

In the end they will end like everyone before them, e.g. Betfair. And someone else will try it again, with even frontend decentralised.