WLA Calls For Prediction Markets To Be Treated As Gambling

Switzerland.– June 09, 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com The World Lottery Association (WLA) has called for prediction markets to be regulated under the same framework applied to sports betting and gambling products. The organisation argues that any product offering a financial return based on the outcome of an event should be treated as a betting product regardless of how it is marketed.

Overview

The rapid expansion of prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket has triggered growing regulatory debate worldwide. In response, the WLA has issued a position paper warning that these products carry risks similar to those associated with traditional betting and should therefore be subject to equivalent licensing, oversight and consumer protection requirements.

Representing more than 150 state-authorised lotteries and regulated operators globally, the WLA’s position is expected to carry significant influence within the ongoing discussion surrounding prediction markets.

Details / Context

According to the association, regulatory gaps currently allow some operators to offer contracts linked to sporting, political and economic outcomes without being subject to the obligations imposed on licensed betting operators.

The WLA is urging gambling regulators and financial authorities to work together to close these gaps and ensure that functionally equivalent products face equivalent regulatory requirements.

Specific Topics

Sports integrity

The association identifies sports integrity as one of its principal concerns. Unlike licensed betting operators, many prediction market platforms are not required to monitor suspicious activity or report unusual transactions to integrity bodies.

Consumer protection

The WLA argues that prediction markets should be subject to the same safeguards found within regulated gambling, including identity verification, self-exclusion tools, anti-money laundering controls and responsible gambling measures.

Global regulation

Different jurisdictions continue to adopt different approaches. While some regulators classify prediction markets as financial products, others treat them as gambling products, creating a fragmented global landscape.

Future Perspective

As prediction markets continue their rapid expansion, pressure is growing on regulators to define more clearly where financial trading ends and gambling begins. The WLA’s intervention adds significant weight to that debate and could influence future regulatory reforms around the world.

🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com