Norway Moves to Block Kalshi, Polymarket, and 60 Other Unlicensed Sites

Norway’s gambling regulator has moved to expand its crackdown on unlicensed operators, notifying 62 companies that their websites could soon be blocked for users in the country.

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Among the businesses targeted are prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket, which the regulator believes are offering services to Norwegian consumers in breach of national gambling laws. This marks the latest round of crackdowns in the country, with authorities having previously blocked 238 gambling websites.

According to the Norwegian Gaming Authority, the companies have been formally notified of planned DNS blocking measures and have until 15 October to respond before a final decision is made.

Director Atle Hamar said the notification process is a legal requirement before the regulator can proceed. “The way it works is that we must give notice before we make a decision. In practice, we have concluded,” he told TV 2.

If the blocking orders are confirmed, users attempting to access the affected websites from Norway will instead see a notice stating that the site has been blocked, together with an explanation from the Norwegian Gaming Authority. 

Hamar highlights insider trading concerns with prediction markets

While the regulator’s latest action covers a broad range of gambling websites, Hamar singled out prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket as a particular concern.

According to the director, the way these markets operate can create advantages for people who have access to information that other users do not. He pointed to research which, he said, shows that a small group of users account for most of the winnings on platforms of this type.

“Those who have inside information will always win, and an ordinary consumer in Norway will generally not sit on inside information,” he said. “It’s a perfect system for insider trading. And we don’t want that, which is why we notify DNS blocking.”

The regulator also believes Norway remains an attractive target for gambling operators. Hamar said the country’s high income levels, digital adoption and reliable mobile infrastructure make it a desirable market for companies looking to reach new customers.

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Despite the planned DNS blocks, Hamar acknowledged that determined users can still access restricted websites. Tools such as VPNs and changes to browser DNS settings can be used to bypass blocks and reach the affected platforms.

However, he argued that the measures are still effective in reducing participation among the wider public. “If you bother and spend enough time and resources, you can get by. But we know it works. When routing from the website becomes more difficult and payment services become more difficult, it has a good effect on the ordinary Norwegian consumer,” he stated.

Prediction markets continue to face scrutiny in Europe despite push for legalization 

Norway’s latest action adds to a growing list of restrictions facing prediction market operators across Europe and other major markets. Polymarket is already unavailable in several countries, including France, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal.

Despite those setbacks, Polymarket has continued to push for legal status across Europe. The company recently launched a legal challenge against its ban in the Netherlands

 and has also confirmed it will contest restrictions imposed by France’s gambling regulator through the courts.

At the same time, the operator has been working to convince European authorities that prediction market contracts should be treated as financial products rather than gambling products. Its plan is to secure oversight under financial services rules instead of navigating different gambling laws in each country.

So far, regulators have shown little sign of changing their stance. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has previously warned that prediction markets may carry increased insider trading risks.

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