Indonesia Blocks Polymarket Access in Online Gambling Crackdown

Indonesia has blocked access to prediction-market platform Polymarket as part of a crackdown on online gambling, extending a broader regulatory push against prediction markets and crypto-based betting services.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said on May 25 that it had blocked access to Polymarket over allegations that the platform operated online gambling in the form of a prediction market, according to state news agency Antara.

“We will not allow any form of online gambling in Indonesia,” Alexander Sabar, the ministry’s director general for digital space oversight, said.

He said services such as Polymarket encourage betting and speculation on uncertain outcomes, in violation of Indonesian law. Prediction markets are platforms where users trade contracts tied to the outcomes of future events, including elections, economic trends and sports matches. They generally use blockchain technology or cryptocurrencies.

Indonesian authorities said Polymarket should be classified as online gambling because it effectively facilitates monetary bets on event outcomes. They said they had blocked access to the platform and were also tracking social media accounts linked to Polymarket.

Authorities said the measure was intended to protect the public, especially young digital users. Similar platforms offering prediction market-style services could also face access restrictions.

Antara said Indonesia’s move is in line with regulatory action in several other countries. Sabar said Singapore, Brazil and India have officially blocked access to Polymarket. Taiwan, Thailand, China and Japan have also imposed restrictions on Polymarket and similar prediction-market platforms under their domestic laws.

The Indonesian government urged the public not to access or participate in speculative digital betting activities involving cryptocurrencies. Authorities said such activity could lead to financial losses and violate Indonesian regulations.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said it would continue working with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to monitor digital platforms. The goal, it said, is to keep Indonesia’s digital ecosystem safe, healthy and productive.