Gibraltar becomes the first jurisdiction in the world to adopt a dedicated regulatory framework for prediction markets.

Posting on LinkedIn: Nigel Feetham KC MP Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry said: I am proud that we have delivered on a commitment I made just a few months ago.

Earlier this year, during a visit to Hong Kong, I identified a clear commercial opportunity to further diversify Gibraltar’s economy through the emerging prediction markets sector.

On my return, I introduced Gibraltar’s new gambling legislation in Parliament, enabling the licensing of prediction markets as betting exchanges.

I then travelled to Miami, where I announced Gibraltar’s intention to introduce the world’s first bespoke regulatory framework for prediction markets. Since then, I have engaged extensively with industry leaders internationally to better understand the technology, market infrastructure and regulatory considerations underpinning this rapidly evolving sector.

Today, that commitment becomes a reality.

We will shortly license the first prediction market operator under this new regime. We have also granted an Approval in Principle to a second operator and expect to issue a further Approval in Principle in the coming weeks.

This framework is the result of months of close collaboration with industry participants, whose expertise and engagement have helped shape a regime that is both innovative and robust.

More importantly, it provides regulatory certainty for a rapidly developing global industry while creating new opportunities to attract investment, support high-value employment and further diversify Gibraltar’s economy.

This is more than a new regulatory framework; it is a statement of intent. My ambition is to position Gibraltar as a leading jurisdiction for responsible digital innovation and for the development of new markets underpinned by high regulatory standards.

This is also the second major regulatory framework I have introduced in as many weeks, following the tokenisation legislation announced recently. Together, they demonstrate Gibraltar’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of innovation by developing forward-looking frameworks that enable new sectors to grow with confidence.

I look forward to continuing to work with industry as we build on this vision.