Argentina Moves to Restrict Polymarket, Calls It Illegal Gambling

Argentina has moved to restrict access to crypto-based prediction market platform Polymarket after a court in Buenos Aires ruled that the service operates as an unlicensed online gambling platform.

Argentina has ordered a nationwide block of crypto-based prediction market platform Polymarket. A Buenos Aires court directed telecom regulator ENACOM to restrict access through internet providers and instructed Google and Apple to remove the app from stores for Argentine users… pic.twitter.com/MqR3XJrsT6

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) March 17, 2026

According to local directives, the court ordered ENACOM to block access to the platform through internet service providers, effectively limiting user access across the country

In addition, tech giants Google and Apple have been instructed to remove the Polymarket app from their respective app stores for users in Argentina.

The ruling marks one of the most significant enforcement actions taken by Argentine authorities against a crypto-native platform, reflecting growing scrutiny of prediction markets that blur the line between financial speculation and gambling.

Polymarket allows users to bet on the outcomes of real-world events, ranging from politics to global economic trends, using cryptocurrencies

While the platform positions itself as an information market, regulators in multiple jurisdictions have raised concerns that such services function similarly to unregulated betting platforms.

It is worth noting that authorities in Argentina concluded that Polymarket had not obtained the necessary licenses required to operate as a gambling or betting service within the country

As a result, the court deemed its activities non-compliant with existing legal and regulatory frameworks.

The move also highlights a broader global trend, where regulators are increasingly targeting crypto platforms that fall outside traditional oversight structures

As digital asset adoption grows, governments are placing greater emphasis on ensuring that platforms offering financial or betting-like services adhere to local laws.

Available data suggests that enforcement measures such as ISP-level blocking and app store removals are becoming common tools for regulators seeking to curb unauthorized platforms without directly targeting blockchain infrastructure.

While it remains unclear whether Polymarket will challenge the ruling or seek regulatory approval in Argentina, the case underscores the tightening regulatory environment for crypto-based prediction markets worldwide.

Your web3 identity + services + payments in one single link. Get your pay3.so link today.