Kalshi joins Polymarket on Czech Republic’s banned list
Kalshi reportedly traded around $60bn last month while chasing a $40bn valuation. Czech access cuts off 15 October.
The hit
The Czech Republic has ordered internet providers to block Kalshi within 15 days of the prohibition notice. The country’s finance ministry added the US prediction markets platform to its list of unauthorised gambling operators on 30 September, according to SBC News. Users lose conventional access from 15 October 2026.
Why it matters
Czech regulators treat prediction markets as gambling dressed up as investment, a view echoed across much of Europe. The ban signals that branding contracts as financial instruments won’t dodge licensing rules. Kalshi’s Chief Risk Officer Udesh Jha said the firm “would love to expand in Europe”.
The record
| Prohibition order published | 30 September 2026 (Czech Ministry of Finance) |
|---|---|
| ISP block deadline | 15 October 2026 (15-day legal window) |
| Polymarket banned in Czech Republic | July 2026 |
| Kalshi monthly trading activity | around $60bn / £45.3bn (DeFi Rate) |
| Kalshi target valuation | approximately $40bn |
What happens next
Watch whether Kalshi pursues a dedicated licensing route into Europe, the path Gibraltar has already set up for prediction markets.
Sources: Kalshi to be blocked in the Czech Republic
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