Gibraltar Hosts Europe’s First Prediction Markets Summit as New Licensing Regime Takes Effect

Gibraltar will host the first dedicated Prediction Markets Summit Europe on 9–10 November 2026, just months after its Prediction Market Regulations 2026 entered into force on 13 July. The summit, organised by Eventus International, will be opened by Gibraltar’s Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, Nigel Feetham, and is expected to draw regulators, platform operators, investors, legal and compliance experts, and technology providers.

Regulatory Framework

The new regime creates a standalone licensing category for prediction markets, explicitly stating that operating within this framework does not automatically classify the activity as betting, gaming or a lottery. Operators are prohibited from self-certifying markets, and supervisors hold powers to suspend contracts. Markets must be clearly defined and designed to resist manipulation, while contracts covering sensitive areas—including death, serious injury, terrorism, war and criminal conduct—can be prohibited. The regulations also permit digital asset payments, including stablecoins, for account funding, collateral, settlement and withdrawals.

“Gibraltar has always been prepared to act where others hesitate,” Feetham said. “We took a deliberate decision to create a licensing framework for prediction markets because we recognise the enormous opportunity they represent.”

Summit Agenda

The two-day event will focus on the practical implementation of prediction market regulation. Discussions will cover European regulatory classification, the implications of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, cross-border licensing, event resolution, market integrity, blockchain and artificial intelligence, and institutional participation. Eventus International will also host a LinkedIn Live webinar, “Prediction Markets Under the Regulator’s Lens,” on 22 July 2026.

Broader European Context

Gibraltar’s approach contrasts with the fragmented stance across Europe. On 3 July, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) stated that whether an event contract qualifies as a financial instrument depends on the underlying question, and that binary-outcome contracts would fall under existing national product-intervention measures on binary options. ESMA also acknowledged that such contracts may qualify as bets under national gambling law. National regulators have taken divergent positions: France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux has deemed prediction-market platforms unauthorised and illegal, while Britain’s Gambling Commission has said current models would generally appear to fall within the country’s betting intermediary framework.

Market Development

Gibraltar had already begun licensing prediction-market operators before the dedicated regulations took effect. Predict Street Ltd, trading as ADI Predictstreet, received approval in March 2026 under the Gambling Act 2005 and was licensed as a betting intermediary. The platform subsequently became FIFA’s official prediction-market partner for the 2026 World Cup and has since expanded beyond football. WagerWire has also received approval in principle for its prediction-market subsidiary, with additional applicants expected. Feetham noted that the government’s focus is on attracting credible, regulated operators that will contribute to Gibraltar’s long-established financial services ecosystem.