- Indonesia’s digital ministry blocked Polymarket, saying its prediction contracts violate national online gambling laws.
- Action followed a contract speculating on President Prabowo Subianto’s potential exit timeline, which gained public attention.
- The move aligns with global crackdowns as Brazil, Argentina, and others tighten restrictions on prediction market platforms.
Indonesia has blocked access to prediction market platform Polymarket following concerns over online gambling activity, according to Reuters. The restriction came from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs after authorities classified the platform as a gambling service under national law. Officials acted days after Polymarket drew attention for a contract tied to President Prabowo Subianto’s potential exit timeline.
Authorities Target Prediction Market Activity
According to ministry official Alexander Sabar, Polymarket involves betting and speculation on uncertain outcomes. He stated that this structure violates Indonesian gambling regulations. The government said the platform falls under online betting categories banned in the country.
The trigger involved a Polymarket contract launched on May 21, 2026. The market allowed users to speculate on when President Prabowo Subianto would leave office before his term ends in 2029. The contract generated social media attention in Indonesia shortly before the regulatory action.
Notably, authorities said they are reviewing social media accounts linked to Polymarket. Officials also indicated further restrictions may extend to similar platforms operating under comparable models.
Prabowo Contract Draws Market Attention
Reuters reported that the specific contract attracted trading activity based on potential exit dates in 2026. The platform allowed users to assign probabilities to political outcomes linked to the presidency timeline.
According to ministry statements, the activity was treated as gambling under Indonesian law. Alexander Sabar said the use of crypto infrastructure does not change the classification of prediction-based betting.
The government also stated that Polymarket has been included in broader enforcement efforts. Since 2024, Indonesia has blocked millions of websites connected to online gambling services.
Global Crackdown on Prediction Platforms Expands
Indonesia’s action aligns with a wider global trend targeting prediction markets. Brazil blocked multiple platforms in April 2026, citing derivatives and gambling concerns. Argentina also restricted access in March through court orders involving internet providers and app stores.
In the United States, state-level regulators continue to challenge prediction markets under gambling laws. Courts have rejected attempts by platforms to stop enforcement actions in specific jurisdictions.
Polymarket has now faced restrictions across multiple regions. Authorities in several countries have used similar legal reasoning, classifying prediction contracts as unlicensed betting activity rather than financial forecasting tools.
