Gibraltar Issues Europe’s First Prediction Market Licence

(AsiaGameHub) –   Gibraltar has awarded its first license to a prediction markets operator, putting the territory at the forefront of a sector that remains unregulated across most of Europe. The approval was granted to Predict Street Ltd, while officials also signaled their expectation of further growth in this industry vertical.

Good to Know

• Gibraltar granted a license to Predict Street Ltd on 26 March under the 2005 Gambling Act.
• Minister Nigel Feetham stated that prediction markets could develop into a significant growth area for Gibraltar.
• Malta is also developing a local regulatory framework, though Gibraltar appears to be the first European jurisdiction to issue a direct license for this type of operation.

Gibraltar Takes an Early Lead on Prediction Markets

The license was issued prior to the new Gambling Act taking effect, so Gibraltar utilized the older 2005 Gambling Act to secure the approval. During Tuesday’s parliamentary session, Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry Nigel Feetham remarked: “We anticipate this will become a major growth area for Gibraltar.” He further added: “A new license has been granted, notwithstanding that the new Gambling Act has not yet come into force and the new license had to be issued under the prior legislation. This marks record timing for the issuance of a regulatory license in Gibraltar.”

Per Gibraltar’s gambling registry records, Predict Street Ltd was licensed as a betting intermediary on 26 March. Predictstreet.io notes that it serves as the official prediction market partner for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and displays a countdown leading to its April 9 launch. The platform is powered by ADI Chain, a blockchain services provider based in Abu Dhabi.

The timing of this license is meaningful for Gibraltar. The territory has been seeking ways to strengthen its regulatory appeal after changes to UK gambling duties raised pressure on operators based there. Feetham shared that he has taken a more direct role in promoting Gibraltar’s regulatory offerings following those tax policy adjustments.

Europe Remains Divided Over the Prediction Market Sector

Gibraltar is now widely considered the first European jurisdiction to directly grant a license to a prediction markets operator. Malta is pursuing a similar regulatory path, but has not yet reached this milestone. On 26 March, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri stated that Malta is “actively exploring the emerging prediction market sector, an area seeing rapid global momentum which presents significant opportunities for innovation.” He also noted that any legislative changes would need to be “supported by a clear, forward-looking regulatory framework that enables responsible, large-scale development.”

Across the rest of Europe, the regulatory landscape is far more restrictive. Germany and the Netherlands maintain strict limits on novelty-style sports betting markets, while countries including France and the Netherlands have classified prediction markets as illegal gambling or unlicensed financial products. Both nations have blocked Polymarket.

This puts Gibraltar in a unique regulatory position. Rather than waiting for unified European guidelines, the territory has moved forward with issuing a license, giving Predict Street a competitive head start as European nations continue to debate how to classify prediction markets.