Google has officially introduced a direct ban on hosting extensions for prediction markets in the Chrome Web Store. According to updated developer policies, starting August 1, 2026, a full block will be enforced on all tools that allow real-money transactions based on predictions of various events. This is a significant blow to platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, which actively use browser extensions to attract users.
The new rules take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply not only to trading event outcomes. Extensions are now permitted to collect only the information critically necessary to perform a single pre-declared function. Developers must clearly and openly inform users about data collection methods and promptly note any changes to their privacy policies. Additionally, tools designed to bypass security mechanisms in AI-powered services have been banned. In an official statement, Google explained the measures as necessary to strengthen user trust, stating that "the extension ecosystem must be built transparently and responsibly."
This policy contradicts Google's own decisions. In the fall of 2025, Google Finance began loading data from Polymarket and Kalshi. Now, the company uses industry figures while simultaneously blocking trading tools. This dual stance raises questions about real motives—user protection or eliminating competitors?
Rapid Growth—New Restrictions
The ban targets a sector at its peak activity. According to Dune, by June 22, the total monthly transaction volume reached $291.38 billion. Despite these figures, regulatory pressure worldwide is only intensifying. In March, Argentine authorities imposed a nationwide block on Polymarket, adding to a list of over 30 countries. Simultaneously, Google and Apple promptly removed the platform's official mobile apps for Argentine users.
In the United States, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is defending the market in court, filing lawsuits over strict measures against prediction markets in Kentucky, New York, and Wisconsin. However, capital inflow continues: Kalshi expects a valuation of $40 billion just months after securing $1 billion during its Series F round. Meanwhile, an analysis by The Wall Street Journal showed that most Polymarket users lose money—losses are recorded in over 70% of accounts, with 67% of all profits concentrated in just 0.1% of accounts.
Expert opinion: "Google's ban is not just a technical change but a signal that even decentralized prediction markets are not immune to Big Tech pressure. In a context where 70% of users lose money and regulators tighten control, the future of such platforms depends on their ability to adapt to new realities, not on volume growth."