Czech Republic block on Kalshi takes effect today, Oct. 15, joining Polymarket blocked since July

Czech blocking deadline arrives

The Czech Republic’s block on Kalshi takes effect today, 15 October 2026, bringing the US prediction-market platform alongside Polymarket, which has been blocked in the country since July.

According to infobets.com, citing SBC News, the Czech finance ministry placed Kalshi on its register of unauthorised gambling operators on 30 September. Internet providers were given 15 days from the prohibition notice to implement the block, with conventional access due to end on 15 October 2026.

The deadline marks implementation of an earlier regulatory decision, rather than a newly announced prohibition. Infobets.com’s report, written by Barry Healy, was published on 2 October 2026 at 20:02 CEST.

European expansion meets licensing constraints

According to infobets.com, Czech regulators classify prediction markets as gambling rather than accepting their presentation as investment products—a position the outlet describes as shared across much of Europe. Under that approach, describing contracts as financial instruments does not remove gambling-licensing requirements.

The restriction comes amid substantial reported activity at Kalshi. In its 2 October report, infobets.com said the platform had reportedly traded around $60bn last month while pursuing a $40bn valuation.

Kalshi’s Chief Risk Officer Udesh Jha has expressed interest in European expansion, according to infobets.com. The outlet identified a dedicated licensing process as a potential route to watch, noting that Gibraltar has already established one for prediction markets.

What it means for prediction markets

• Access is the immediate issue: The Czech deadline concerns internet-provider blocking and conventional access to Kalshi, following the earlier restriction on Polymarket.
• Classification remains consequential: The Czech decision illustrates how gambling rules can determine market access regardless of how a platform presents its contracts.
• Licensing is the next development to monitor: Whether Kalshi seeks a dedicated European licence remains an open question; the supplied reporting does not establish that it has done so.