Gibraltar Licenses ADI Predictstreet as Europe’s First Regulated Prediction Market in Strategic Policy Shift

Gibraltar licenses ADI Predictstreet as the first regulated prediction market in Europe, ahead of a major partnership with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:48 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from iGB

Gibraltar Establishes Regulatory Beachhead for Forecasting Platforms

The licensing of ADI Predictstreet marks a decisive transition for the European prediction market sector, which has historically operated within a legal grey area. Andrew Lyman, Gibraltar’s gambling commissioner and executive director, spearheaded the initiative to move the territory ahead of jurisdictions like the UK and Malta. By granting the license in record time, Gibraltar is attempting to define the confluence of financial derivatives and gambling through practical application rather than theoretical debate. According to Lyman, the territory possesses the agility to accommodate different models as they expand.

A Fragmented Regulatory Landscape Across the Continent

While Gibraltar has opted for a rapid entry strategy, other European regulators are taking a more structured approach to prediction market oversight. Malta is currently exploring a bespoke statutory framework designed to clearly distinguish between speculative betting and data-driven trading. This divergence highlights a broader split in Europe between jurisdictions using a regulatory sandbox model and those seeking long-term legal certainty through new legislation. According to industry observers, this fragmentation creates a complex environment where a license in one territory does not ensure cross-border access.

Strategic Partnership with FIFA for the 2026 World Cup

ADI Predictstreet has secured a massive commercial advantage by becoming the official prediction market partner for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This collaboration represents the first time FIFA has recognized prediction markets as a distinct commercial category. A spokesperson for ADI Predictstreet noted that the tournament offers a unique opportunity to scale the platform exponentially. The company is currently operating in a beta phase to ensure the product meets high standards before the global tournament begins, which officials believe will be the largest sporting event in history.