GGL Probe into FIFA Partner ADI Predictstreet Spotlights European Regulatory Pushback on Prediction Markets

“As a result of the supervisory measures and the official intervention, the provider has since reacted and blocked access to its service for users from Germany.”

This statement from a Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) spokesperson confirms the immediate outcome of a regulatory investigation into ADI Predictstreet. The United Arab Emirates-based prediction market operator gained worldwide attention through its FIFA partnership during the World Cup but holds no licence to operate in Germany.

As reported by Focus Gaming News, the GGL is examining whether ADI Predictstreet permitted German residents to place World Cup bets and whether its promotions violated national advertising rules. The company secured a gambling licence in Gibraltar ahead of the tournament.

Probe Targets Access and Advertising Compliance

The GGL which oversees gambling regulation across Germany’s federal states launched the investigation after observing ADI Predictstreet’s heavy visibility. The platform appeared on pitch-side LED boards, stadium screens, press conferences and television broadcasts.

German law bars promotion of unlicensed gambling services. It also imposes strict rules on addiction prevention, youth protection, spending limits and self-exclusion. After the probe began ADI Predictstreet restricted German access. Users now see the message “Access from your location (DE) is restricted (Country DE is blocked).”

Joint Warning from Nine European Regulators

The case aligns with broader European scepticism toward prediction platforms. Nine regulators from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland issued a joint warning to the public about using these platforms to bet on the World Cup.

The authorities pledged to coordinate enforcement. They cited risks of consumer harm, market manipulation and fraud. Several operators including Kalshi and Polymarket have already received blocking orders in parts of Europe.

The statement pulled no punches. “These platforms are not licensed. They don’t offer any safeguards and are open 24 hours a day. There are no built-in betting limits apart from the amounts staked, no time limits, identity checks to verify that users are of legal age, etc. The combination of visibility, accessibility, and the viral nature inherent to this type of platform creates a significant addictive cycle.”

The statement added: “It is important to emphasise that this type of platform involves serious risks of illegality, fund blocking, fraud through insider information, and financial volatility. Furthermore, because they are unregulated in most countries, they can create serious addiction problems.”

ADI Predictstreet Maintains Expansion Plans

Despite the pressure ADI Predictstreet continues its international push. The company recently announced a partnership with Kalshi that includes co-branded World Cup content and joint marketing across stadiums, broadcasts and digital platforms.

In the United States the Commodity Futures Trading Commission treats prediction platforms as financial products rather than gambling. ADI Predictstreet has an arrangement with Fanatics there. FIFA has stated that its partnership followed governance procedures though it has issued no public comment on the GGL investigation.

The Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner has defended the licence approval. These licensing mismatches create exactly the friction that slows commercial rollouts across borders.

Where the Exposure Lies

The core limitation sits in the gap between global visibility and local authorisation. ADI Predictstreet built massive exposure through the FIFA deal yet lacked the necessary German licence. Regulators moved quickly once the promotions drew attention.

This pattern repeats. Platforms secure approval in one jurisdiction such as Gibraltar then encounter immediate blocks elsewhere. The joint warning from nine regulators signals tighter coordination ahead. Operators cannot treat European markets as a single regulatory zone.

The Strategic Calculus

This probe sends a clear signal to any platform weighing similar high-profile partnerships. Secure market-specific licences before heavy promotional pushes or prepare for swift access restrictions and public warnings. The fragmented European landscape demands precise jurisdictional mapping well before kickoff. Those who treat compliance as an afterthought will spend the tournament on the sidelines.

Reporting: FIFA prediction platform partner faces regulatory probe in Germany (focusgn.com)