TheBlock
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital has blocked access to Polymarket, the crypto-native prediction market, framing the platform's activity as "betting and speculation on uncertain outcomes" in violation of national gambling law. Director General of Digital Space Supervision Alexander Sabar announced the block on Friday, with the ministry also tracing social media accounts affiliated with Polymarket to enforce comprehensive access restrictions and planning to widen the block to similar services.
The trigger was a contract predicting when President Prabowo Subianto would be "out as president" — despite his term running through 2029 — which opened on May 21, one day after Prabowo unveiled plans to centralize control of key commodity exports including coal and palm oil. Reuters reported the contracts on Monday; the ministry moved within days.
Why it matters
Indonesia adds to a 2026 blacklist of major emerging markets moving against event-contract platforms. Brazil blocked Polymarket and Kalshi in April alongside roughly 28 other betting platforms; Argentina ordered a nationwide block in March after a Buenos Aires court directed ISPs, Google, and Apple to enforce access restrictions. The legal framing is consistent across all three: unlicensed betting without adequate identity and age verification, dressed in a derivatives or prediction-market wrapper.
The pressure is also spreading inside the US. On May 22, a Ninth Circuit panel rejected bids by Kalshi and Polymarket to halt gambling-related enforcement actions in Nevada and Washington, where state authorities argue sports-event contracts amount to unlicensed gambling products. Polymarket's international expansion, including a push into the Japanese market, has hit local restrictions on political betting under national law.
Market impact
For Polymarket, the practical effect is access restriction plus a precedent that political-event contracts on sitting heads of state trigger a fast government response in jurisdictions where gambling is broadly illegal.
Frequently asked questions
-
Why did Indonesia block Polymarket?
The Ministry of Communication and Digital said Polymarket's activity amounts to "betting and speculation on uncertain outcomes" in violation of national gambling law, and announced the block on Friday via Director General Alexander Sabar.
-
What contract triggered the Indonesia block?
A Polymarket market predicting when President Prabowo Subianto would be "out as president," opened on May 21 despite his term running through 2029, appeared one day after Prabowo unveiled plans to centralize control of coal and palm oil exports.
-
Which other countries have blocked Polymarket in 2026?
Brazil moved against Polymarket and Kalshi in April alongside roughly 28 other betting platforms, and Argentina ordered a nationwide block in March after a Buenos Aires court directed ISPs, Google, and Apple to enforce access restrictions.
-
What is the status of Polymarket in the United States?
On May 22, a Ninth Circuit panel rejected bids by Kalshi and Polymarket to halt gambling-related enforcement actions in Nevada and Washington, where state authorities argue sports-event contracts amount to unlicensed gambling products.
-
Could Indonesia's block extend beyond Polymarket?
Yes. The ministry said it plans to widen the block to "similar services" suspected of facilitating prediction-market practices, and is tracing social media accounts affiliated with Polymarket to enforce comprehensive access restrictions.
CoinDesk
CryptoSlate
WatcherGuru