Following a global trend of tightening rules around online gambling and prediction sites, Indonesia is now blocking access to platforms like Polymarket. This action came after a bet involving the Indonesian President gained attention online.
Indonesia Blocks Access To Polymarket
Indonesia recently blocked Polymarket, a platform where people make predictions on events, after a popular bet about Prabowo Subianto potentially not finishing his term as president spread online.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has officially banned something, stating that the decision is to keep people safe, especially young people and those online.
Alexander Sabar, the head of digital space oversight, stated that platforms where people bet real money on events – even those calling themselves “prediction markets” and using technologies like blockchain or cryptocurrency – are considered gambling.
The Indonesian government has firmly stated it will not allow any online gambling. Alex explained that platforms like Polymarket, which involve betting money on events with unpredictable results, break Indonesian law.
Officials will block access to any other prediction market platforms believed to be involved in illegal online gambling. They are also monitoring social media to find and shut down accounts connected to Polymarket, making sure the ban is fully enforced everywhere.
The Ministry is advising people to avoid all forms of online betting, even those using cryptocurrency, as these activities are illegal in Indonesia and could lead to financial harm.
Global Regulatory Pressure Mounts
Indonesian officials explained that their block of Polymarket is in line with regulations in other countries. The government stated that several jurisdictions have taken action against Polymarket and similar prediction markets, believing they function much like online gambling.
In the last two years, Taiwan, Thailand, China, and India have limited Polymarket’s operations due to their own laws. Singapore, Colombia, and India have gone further, completely blocking access to the platform.
Last March, Argentina blocked access to Polymarket across the country following its predictions about inflation rates. According to Bitcoinist, a court in Buenos Aires instructed internet providers, Google, and Apple to prevent users from reaching the platform, claiming it functioned as an illegal, unlicensed gambling site.
In March, Brazil’s central bank prohibited prediction markets and betting sites like Polymarket and Kalshi. Officials stated these platforms didn’t follow Brazilian rules for trading derivatives and worried about protecting investors and maintaining a fair market.
Prediction markets in the US are under increasing pressure from regulators. Last week, Congressman James Comer began a formal investigation into two platforms, Polymarket and Kalshi, after unusual trading activity was detected related to sensitive US military information and important global events.
The legislator stated he’d written to the heads of both companies, requesting details about how they catch and stop illegal insider trading. He also asked how they confirm user identities and block users from countries where their services aren’t allowed. Meanwhile, both companies suffered setbacks in their attempts to prevent legal action related to gambling in Nevada and Washington.
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2026-05-26 11:12