SBC News

Spain’s La Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) has become the latest gambling regulator in Europe to launch disciplinary proceedings against prediction market operators Polymarket and Kalshi.

The regulator has accused both companies of operating in the country without the required gambling licenses.

In a notice published in Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE), the DGOJ confirmed it has also ordered the precautionary blocking of both websites in Spain while the proceedings are ongoing.

The regulator said prediction markets fall within Spain’s gambling framework whereby users can wager on future events, meaning operators must hold a specific administrative authorisation to legally offer the products in the country.

The DGOJ stressed that unlicensed platforms do not comply with Spain’s regulatory safeguards, including identity verification controls, protections preventing access by minors and self-excluded users, and broader consumer protection standards.

Spanish autho..

he Republic of Armenia is moving ahead with tightening controls on digital betting, payments and advertising as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government confirmed that he will apply a new compliance framework for gambling licensees.

Applied from 1 May onwards, the technical commands will be overseen by Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan and State Revenue Committee chief Rustam Badasyan, who seek to tighten financial supervision, reinforce legal gambling channels and squeeze offshore operators out of Armenia’s market.

Driving the political agenda is Civil Contract MP Hayk Sargsyan, who has become the leading parliamentary voice behind the overhaul.

At the centre of the strategy sits payments enforcement. Armenian authorities are looking to block financial transfers to unlicensed operators while tightening anti-money laundering and know-your-customer obligations across licensed gambling businesses.

The government will simultaneously advance the roll-out of a centralised monitor..