Google to Ban Real-Money Prediction Market Extensions from Chrome Web Store by August 2026

Google will prohibit browser extensions that facilitate or promote real-money prediction markets from the Chrome Web Store, with the ban taking effect on August 1, 2026. The policy update, announced as an expansion of the Developer Program Policies, explicitly includes predictive markets among prohibited products.

What the Ban Covers

Extensions linked to platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket are expected to be affected, particularly those offering real-time contract prices, alerts, or simplified order placement while users browse. Simulated products that involve no cash prizes may remain available, provided they clearly state that users cannot win real money. The updated policy also tightens data collection rules: extensions may only gather information required for their core function, and developers must disclose what data is collected, why it is used, whether it is shared, and how long it is retained. Any subsequent changes to data practices must be communicated directly to users.

Google’s Statement and Broader Context

“We are expanding our language to explicitly include predictive markets as prohibited products,” Google said in a released statement. “Extensions that facilitate or enable real-money transactions on predictive outcomes are not allowed. Building and maintaining user trust is paramount.” The company further noted that the move ensures the Chrome Web Store remains “an honest, useful and secure platform.”

This extension ban mirrors Google’s November 2025 tightening of advertisement policies related to social games, which prohibited marketing of all sweepstakes casino gameplay. Separately, the company also updated its gambling and games advertisements policy to expand certification requirements to all categories in the sector, with a planned rollout on September 14. As part of that update, Google reiterated that websites hosted on free subdomains are ineligible for certification, as the domain must be owned and controlled by the certified business.

Industry and Regulatory Pressures

The policy change comes as prediction markets face heightened regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. and abroad over whether event contracts should be classified as financial instruments or gambling products. In a related development, on July 14, Brazil’s Ministry of Justice notified both Apple and Google after identifying betting apps in their stores that allegedly failed to comply with Brazilian law, including a lack of effective age verification and operators without the necessary federal license.

Notably, Google’s extension ban does not affect its integration of prediction market odds. In November 2025, Google Finance began displaying odds from Kalshi and Polymarket alongside traditional market data, a feature that remains unchanged under the new policy.