Hungary Blocks Access to Kalshi Following Regulatory Action on Prediction Markets
Hungarian users have lost access to Kalshi, a U.S.-based prediction market platform, following a regulatory decision by Hungary’s Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH). The move comes shortly after the country restricted access to another major prediction platform, Polymarket, amid broader enforcement of online gambling laws.
Kalshi Restricted for Hungarian Users
According to official notices published on January 21, 2026, Kalshi Inc. and its domain kalshi.com — along with all associated subdomains — have been added to Hungary’s list of inaccessible online services. The decision, referenced under case number 621/5/2026, cites unauthorised gambling operations as the basis for the restriction. As a result, Hungarian IP addresses attempting to reach Kalshi’s platform are now redirected or blocked entirely by local internet service providers.
The SZTFH has characterized Kalshi’s services as falling within the scope of prohibited gambling activity without a proper domestic licence, triggering enforcement under national gambling legislation. While the authority’s official language focuses on “illegal gambling organisation,” the announcement does not suggest a voluntary withdrawal by Kalshi from the Hungarian market.
Kalshi’s Position and Market Context
Kalshi, founded in 2018 and regulated in the United States as a designated contract market overseen by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), allows users to trade contracts based on the outcomes of real-world events. Its markets cover a wide range of topics, including economic indicators, weather events and political outcomes. Unlike some peer platforms, Kalshi operates within a regulated framework in the U.S., a distinction noted in industry analysis of its business model.
Despite this regulated status in the U.S., Kalshi has faced legal challenges domestically as well. Courts in several U.S. states have scrutinized its operations under local gambling laws, resulting in injunctions against certain products and ongoing regulatory disputes.
Broader Regulatory Dynamics in Hungary
Hungary’s action against Kalshi follows a similar measure taken earlier this week against Polymarket, another prediction market platform blocked under allegations of organising unlicensed gambling. In the case of Polymarket, Hungarian authorities temporarily blocked the domain and subdomains for local users, citing prohibited activity under national law.
These moves reflect Hungary’s heightened enforcement of online gambling and betting regulations. The SZTFH has expanded its toolkit in recent years to block access to foreign gambling services that operate without local licences, as part of an effort to protect consumers and ensure compliance with national legal frameworks for gaming and wagering.
Effect and Outlook
The restrictions on both Polymarket and Kalshi apply solely to users accessing the platforms from Hungarian IP addresses. The services remain accessible internationally and continue to operate where not subject to similar enforcement measures. For Hungarian users, the block underscores the regulatory challenges facing cross-border digital services that combine elements of finance, betting and speculative trading.
It remains unclear if these restrictions will be reversed or if Kalshi will pursue formal licensing or legal avenues in Hungary. However, the latest actions signal continuing regulatory scrutiny in the country toward prediction markets and crypto-related platforms alike.