Argentina Blocks Polymarket Over Illegal Gambling

 

An Argentine court has ordered a nationwide block on the prediction market platform Polymarket over unauthorized gambling activities.

 

The ruling, issued by the Criminal, Misdemeanor and Offenses Court No. 31 in Buenos Aires, directs the country’s national communications and media regulator, the Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENACOM), to block access to Polymarket and its variants.

 

 

In the ruling, Judge Susana Beatriz Parada, the presiding judge of the court, instructed ENACOM to carry out all possible blocking measures, directly, indirectly, or through internet service providers (ISPs), and to promptly inform the court of any obstacles that could prevent full compliance with the ruling.

 

In addition to the nationwide ban, the court ordered the removal of the Polymarket application from Android and iOS stores, effectively preventing existing users from accessing it.

 

While the ruling appears severe, it follows an investigation into a complaint filed by the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA), the government agency responsible for regulating legal gambling activities in Argentina’s capital.

 

After receiving the complaint, the court, presided over by Judge Susana Parada, instructed Juan Rozas, head of the City’s Specialized Gambling Prosecutor’s Office (FEJA), to conduct an investigation that ultimately led to the decision.

 

According to Argentine authorities, Polymarket offers features that “significantly increase risks for users.” These include the ability to conduct transactions using cryptocurrencies and credit cards, as well as a lack of identity and age verification, allowing anyone to create an account within minutes.

 

Authorities say these features raise serious concerns about minors, who can easily access the platform and begin gambling without oversight.

 

 

Polymarket and Regional Bans

With this ban, Argentina joins more than 33 countries and regions that have restricted or prohibited the activities of Polymarket, many citing the company’s unlicensed gambling operations.

 

Colombia was the first South American country to block Polymarket. In late 2025, Coljuegos, the country’s gambling regulator, declared Polymarket’s activities illegal, stating that the company was offering unauthorized online betting.