Polymarket Blocked in Indonesia over Illegal Gambling Concerns
JAKARTA – Indonesian authorities have blocked access to Polymarket after classifying the prediction market platform as illegal online gambling.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, known as Komdigi, said the crypto-based platform operated like an “online gambling site disguised as a prediction market”. The ministry also said it was tracing social media accounts linked to the platform and could take action against similar services.
The move followed scrutiny of Polymarket contracts allowing users to bet on whether President Prabowo Subianto would leave office before the end of his term in October 2029. Those markets reportedly appeared on May 21 and covered possible exit dates in May, June and December 2026.
Indonesia Says Crypto Does Not Change Gambling Status
Alexander Sabar, Komdigi’s Director General for Digital Space Supervision, said the use of cryptocurrency or blockchain infrastructure does not prevent a platform from being treated as gambling under Indonesian law.
The government will not provide space for any form of online gambling in Indonesia. Activities like Polymarket contain an element of betting money and speculation on events with uncertain outcomes, and therefore violate Indonesia’s applicable laws.
The ministry said the block was intended to protect digital users, particularly young people, from platforms that could encourage gambling through crypto assets.
Indonesia prohibits gambling and has taken an increasingly strict approach to online betting sites. Since Prabowo took office in October 2024, Komdigi has blocked millions of websites accused of facilitating gambling activity.
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Political Markets Triggered Scrutiny
Although the ministry did not directly name the Prabowo-related contracts in its formal explanation, the timing of the block points to rising concern around political event markets.
Reports said one Polymarket contract on Prabowo’s political future drew more than $46,000 in trading volume. Traders were able to buy positions tied to whether the president would leave office by specific dates, despite his official term running until 2029.
Komdigi framed the issue more broadly, saying platforms that let users stake money on uncertain outcomes fall within Indonesia’s illegal gambling rules.
Polymarket Faces Wider Global Pressure
Indonesia is the latest jurisdiction to move against Polymarket as regulators across several markets question whether prediction platforms are trading venues, gambling products or both.
Authorities in countries including Singapore, Brazil, India, Taiwan, Thailand, China, and Japan have also introduced restrictions or enforcement action against Polymarket or similar platforms. The company has previously faced blocks or regulatory limits in Romania, Portugal, Argentina and Ukraine.
India recently blocked Polymarket after classifying it as prohibited online money gaming. Brazil has also moved against prediction market platforms, including Polymarket and Kalshi, as part of a wider push to restrict event contracts tied to politics, sport and social outcomes.
Despite mounting international pressure, Polymarket is still seeking a return to the US market. The company has reportedly held talks with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission after its deal involving the QCEX exchange.
Indonesia’s decision adds to the global regulatory divide over prediction markets, with some authorities treating them as financial products and others viewing them as gambling platforms operating outside local betting laws.
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