The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has intervened in a case that forced Polymarket to stop allowing access to the platform in Ireland, joining the list of countries in Europe banning the platform.
This move comes after a similar decision was made in France. Local authorities ordered the ISPs to block access to Polymarket any way to protect customers and comply with the regulations.
According to the new gambling law in Ireland effective since July 1, 2026, all operators of remote betting, including prediction market platforms, must obtain a license from GRAI in order to provide the services legally.
The GRAI confirmed that it is conducting several investigations into illegal gambling and that Polymarket has decided to geoblock Irish users on its own after the GRAI intervened. The GRAI did not reveal which company was involved.
The GRAI spokesperson said:
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.
The platform continues to be under increasing pressure from Regulatory Authorities across Europe such as Germany, Italy, and Spain and in the USA, where Polymarket has experienced legal issues with different states, for example, Kentucky and Michigan.