Indonesia blocks Polymarket over gambling
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported May 25, 2026 · Last updated May 25, 2026
The blocking of Polymarket>>> in Indonesia>>> and other countries signals increasing regulatory scrutiny on prediction markets, potentially impacting the broader crypto and fintech industries. This could lead to reduced market access for similar platforms and increased compliance costs, affecting investor sentiment towards these innovative but often unregulated financial tools.
Indonesia>>> has blocked access to the prediction market platform Polymarket>>> following its hosting of a wager on whether President Prabowo Subianto>>> would leave office before his term expires in 2029. The Indonesia — Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs>>> classified Polymarket>>> as an online gambling platform, violating Indonesian law which prohibits betting and speculation on uncertain outcomes. This action by Indonesia>>> adds to a growing list of countries, including Brazil>>>, India>>>, Argentina>>>, Colombia>>>, and Romania>>>, that are treating crypto-based prediction markets as illegal gambling products rather than forecasting tools. The move highlights increasing global regulatory pressure on platforms like Polymarket>>> and Kalshi>>>, raising concerns about market manipulation, insider trading, and the need for clearer federal regulations, particularly in the United States>>>.
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