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German gambling regulator warns against social betting
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⚠️ Risks Identified by the GGL
Manipulation risk: Lack of transparency and decentralized nature make these platforms harder to monitor or regulate.
Content concerns: Some markets involve sensitive or inappropriate topics, such as betting on the outcome of the war in Ukraine.
Market growth: The GGL notes a sharp increase in both regional and national use of social/prediction betting platforms.
🌍 Global Context
🇺🇸 United States
Platforms like Polymarket have argued that prediction markets are not gambling but are tools for information gathering or forecasting.
Some U.S. platforms have managed to operate by navigating regulatory gray areas or obtaining limited exemptions (e.g., CFTC no-action letters).
🇪🇺 Europe
France has already taken enforcement action against similar platforms.
Germany is now doing the same, clearly signaling that social/prediction betting is not welcome under current law.
