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Events / Regulatory / Indonesia bans Polymarket
Regulatory regulatory ban

Indonesia bans Polymarket

Analysis based on 14 articles · First reported May 22, 2026 · Last updated May 28, 2026

Sentiment
-50
Attention
4
Articles
14
Market Impact
General
Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the Ergen Dashboard
Market Impact

The ban on Polymarket by Indonesia and other nations signals a growing regulatory crackdown on prediction markets, which could negatively impact the growth and valuation of companies in the decentralized finance and online betting sectors. Investors in Polymarket and similar platforms may face increased uncertainty and potential losses due to restricted market access and legal challenges.

cryptocurrency financial services gambling
Event Summary

Indonesia's Unknown — Ministry of Communication and Digital has blocked access to the blockchain-based prediction market platform Polymarket, classifying it as an illegal online gambling service. This action is part of a broader crackdown on online betting in Indonesia, which prohibits nearly all forms of gambling. The ban was prompted partly by a bet opened on Polymarket regarding the tenure of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Indonesia joins over 30 other jurisdictions, including Argentina, Brazil, Singapore, India, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Japan, the Netherlands, and Ukraine, that have restricted or banned Polymarket due to similar concerns. While Polymarket and its competitor Kalshi argue their products are financial instruments, regulators globally are applying existing gambling laws to these platforms, impacting their global expansion and operations. The United States — United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the United States, however, has a differing stance, permitting trading on authorized platforms under a regulated framework.

Entities Involved
priv
Polymarket
Polymarket is the central entity in this event, facing bans and restrictions in multiple countries due to its classification as an illegal online gambling service. This significantly impacts its global expansion plans and operational reach.
Importance 100.0 Sentiment -70.0
cnt
Indonesia
The government of Indonesia>>> blocked access to Polymarket>>> due to concerns over online gambling, impacting its digital economy and regulatory stance.
Importance 90.0 Sentiment -10.0
govactor
Unknown — Ministry of Communication and Digital
The Unknown — Ministry of Communication and Digital is the primary government agency in Indonesia responsible for implementing the ban on Polymarket and similar platforms, actively monitoring and blocking access.
Importance 80.0 Sentiment 0.0
govactor
Indonesia — Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs
The Indonesia — Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs>>> in Indonesia>>> officially announced and enforced the block on Polymarket>>>.
Importance 80.0 Sentiment 0.0
per
Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang, Director General of Indonesia's Digital Space Supervision, has publicly stated the government's position on Polymarket, emphasizing its violation of Indonesian law and the commitment to eliminate online gambling.
Importance 60.0 Sentiment 0.0
per
Prabowo Subianto
A prediction market on Polymarket>>> regarding Prabowo Subianto>>>'s presidency prompted the ban in Indonesia>>>. His administration's economic policies are under investor scrutiny.
Importance 60.0 Sentiment -5.0
govactor
United States — United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The United States — United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the US has a differing stance on prediction markets, defending aspects of federally regulated platforms, which highlights the global regulatory divergence.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Argentina
Argentina previously ordered a nationwide block of Polymarket, citing concerns about unlicensed online betting, demonstrating a similar regulatory approach to Indonesia.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Brazil
Brazil enacted a sweeping ban on prediction markets, including Polymarket, classifying event-based contracts as derivatives outside authorized financial activity.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
exch
Kalshi
Kalshi is a rival prediction market platform that has also faced bans and restrictions in countries like Brazil, indicating a broader regulatory scrutiny of the prediction market industry.
Importance 10.0 Sentiment -10.0
cnt
Taiwan
Taiwan has imposed restrictions on Polymarket in accordance with its national laws, contributing to the platform's global regulatory challenges.
Importance 10.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Colombia
Colombia>>> restricted Polymarket>>> due to unauthorized gambling activity.
Importance 10.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Japan
Japan has imposed restrictions on Polymarket, despite Polymarket's aim to make a major push into the Japanese market, highlighting regulatory hurdles for its expansion.
Importance 10.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Singapore
Singapore has officially blocked Polymarket, aligning with other countries in restricting access to prediction market platforms.
Importance 10.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Netherlands
The Netherlands imposed a penalty order on Polymarket, threatening fines if it continued serving Dutch users, further illustrating the global regulatory crackdown.
Importance 10.0 Sentiment 0.0
+ 15 more entities View on Dashboard
Relationships
Polymarket regulated ↔ United States — United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission Polymarket operates as a prediction market under the regulatory oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. T
Polymarket related ↔ Brazil
Polymarket competitor ↔ Kalshi Polymarket is a direct competitor to Kalshi, with both platforms vying for market share in the emerging prediction marke
Indonesia related ↔ Prabowo Subianto
Indonesia related ↔ Argentina
Indonesia related ↔ Brazil
Prabowo Subianto related ↔ Brazil
United States — United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission related ↔ Kalshi
Argentina related ↔ Brazil
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