New Delhi: The Government of India is preparing to block access to US-based prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi, intensifying its crackdown on online betting and opinion trading platforms operating in the country despite regulatory restrictions.
According to reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is expected to issue a formal blocking order against Kalshi shortly, following a similar directive already sent to Polymarket. Both platforms have continued to remain accessible to Indian users, even after regulatory scrutiny tightened in recent months.
What are prediction markets?
Prediction markets are online platforms that allow users to place bets on the outcome of future events. These events can range from political developments and global economic trends to sports matches and corporate milestones.
Users essentially trade on probabilities — wagering money on whether a particular outcome will occur. For example, users on Polymarket have recently been placing bets on scenarios such as a potential US-Iran peace deal or the possibility of a major technology company launching an initial public offering.
Sports betting has also emerged as a significant component. During the Indian Premier League (IPL), these platforms reportedly saw substantial trading volumes. A single IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 7 is estimated to have generated trades worth around $27.7 million (approximately Rs 266 crore) across Polymarket and Kalshi. However, the exact share of participation from Indian users remains unclear.
Apart from these two platforms, several others such as Bitclout, Hedgehog and PlotX also operate in the broader prediction and opinion trading ecosystem.
Why the government is cracking down
The Centre’s action follows the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA), which marked a significant shift in India’s stance on online gaming involving real money.
Under the new law, even games previously considered skill-based — such as rummy, poker and fantasy sports — are now treated as prohibited online money games. This led to the exit of several domestic operators from the real-money gaming space.
The government has maintained that platforms allowing users to wager money on uncertain outcomes raise serious concerns. These include risks of addiction, financial distress, money laundering and even cases linked to mental health issues and suicides.
Prediction market platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi fall into a grey area but are increasingly being treated as online betting platforms due to their real-money trading features.
VPN warning and enforcement measures
In a related development, MeitY had issued an advisory on April 25, 2026, to virtual private network (VPN) service providers. The ministry warned that users were bypassing domestic restrictions to access blocked betting and prediction platforms.
The advisory specifically named Polymarket and similar services, stating that they were meant to be inaccessible through Indian internet service providers. VPN operators were cautioned that failure to prevent such access could expose them to legal consequences.
The government is expected to invoke Section 69A of the Information Technology Act to enforce the blocking orders. This provision empowers authorities to restrict access to websites, applications and online content in the interest of national security and public order. It has previously been used to ban several high-profile apps in India.
Non-compliance with orders issued under Section 69A can attract penalties, including imprisonment of up to seven years along with fines.
Platforms still accessible for now
Despite the regulatory push, both Polymarket and Kalshi remain accessible in India at present. Users are still able to sign up and participate in trading activities on these platforms.
Some internet service providers have reportedly begun restricting access to Polymarket, but users have been sharing methods such as modifying DNS settings to bypass these blocks. Online communities linked to these platforms have also circulated guides on accessing services despite restrictions.
Kalshi has indicated that it will comply with Indian regulations if formally directed. Meanwhile, Polymarket has stated that it is committed to adhering to applicable laws across jurisdictions and regularly updates its geo-blocking mechanisms where required.
Conclusion
India’s move to block Polymarket and Kalshi reflects a broader tightening of regulations around online real-money platforms. With PROGA already reshaping the domestic gaming landscape, international platforms operating in similar spaces are now facing increased scrutiny.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how effectively these restrictions are implemented and whether users continue to find ways around them. The government’s approach signals a firm stance against unregulated online betting, even as technology continues to challenge enforcement mechanisms.