Google Bans Real-Money Prediction Market Extensions in Chrome

The policy shift aligns with intensifying legal pressure against platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, which have drawn scrutiny from state regulators over the classification of event-based contracts. While Google did not cite specific platforms, the new rules target extensions that bridge browser functionality with financial bets on future events. Developers have until the August deadline to bring their tools into compliance with the updated Developer Program policies.

This regulatory tightening follows a period of heightened friction between prediction markets and established entities. For instance, Spotify recently challenged the unauthorized use of its brand on prediction sites, while New York state authorities secured a court victory against Kalshi. Judge Analisa Torres ruled that the company’s sports-related contracts fall under state gambling laws, a decision New York Governor Kathy Hochul heralded as a warning to operators attempting to bypass local regulations. As state officials broaden their legal focus to include other major firms like Coinbase and Gemini, Google’s decision ensures that the browser ecosystem remains insulated from the ongoing disputes over unlicensed gambling businesses.