Indonesia blocks Polymarket, citing online gambling law — and it's hunting affiliated social accounts too!

Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital has blocked access to Polymarket, classifying the crypto-native prediction market as an illegal online betting platform under national law. Director General Alexander Sabar stated the platform involves "betting and speculation on uncertain outcomes," and the ministry has begun tracing all social media accounts affiliated with Polymarket to enforce comprehensive access restrictions.

The crackdown was accelerated after Indonesian users opened contracts last week predicting when President Prabowo Subianto would be "out as president" — markets that launched just one day after Prabowo announced plans to centralize control of key commodity exports including coal and palm oil. The ministry has also signalled it will block similar prediction market services going forward.