Brazil Issues Sweeping Ban Against Prediction Market Platforms

In brief

• Brazil blocked access to prediction market platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket, citing investor protection concerns.
• Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the platforms violated betting regulations approved by Congress and lacked proper regulatory oversight.
• The central bank prohibited derivatives contracts based on sports, gaming, political events, and other non-economic benchmarks.

Brazil's Finance Ministry blocked access to prediction market platforms Thursday, targeting major platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi that traders use to bet on outcomes.

Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the platforms violated betting regulations approved by the Brazilian Congress, and that prediction markets weren't legal or regulated in the country. He added that blocking them would protect citizens' savings amid government efforts to reduce debt levels.

“We have advocated for stricter enforcement and very rigorous regulation, which will continue to advance, so that we can curb the negative externalities and social harm that unregulated gambling causes to the Brazilian population,” Durigan said.

Reuters reported that both Polymarket and Kalshi were inaccessible in the country as of Friday afternoon.

Banco Central do Brasil issued a resolution prohibiting derivatives contracts based on sports events, virtual gaming, political outcomes, and other non-economic benchmarks. The central bank cited risks to investor protections and market integrity.

Chief of Staff Miriam Belchior said the measure aims to "protect income, prevent financial losses, and reduce families' exposure to unsafe practices."

The Brazilian crackdown reflects mounting global pressure on prediction markets. Portugal restricted Polymarket access in January, while multiple U.S. states have taken action. Most recently, Wisconsin filed lawsuits against Kalshi, Robinhood, Coinbase, Polymarket, and Crypto.com on Friday, alleging their sports event contracts violate the state's commercial gambling ban.

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