Indonesia has blocked access to crypto prediction platform Polymarket through ISP-level restrictions. The move cites anti-gambling and unlicensed-content regulations as the reason. Regulators classify real-money prediction markets as online gambling requiring special licensing exemptions.
How Gambling Laws Apply
Indonesian authorities view staking funds on uncertain outcomes for potential gain as gambling. The country requires specific licensing for such activities. Polymarket hasn't sought those exemptions. This classification makes its operations illegal without approval.
Regulatory Overlap in Practice
Four agencies handled the block. Kominfo managed the ISP restrictions. Bappebti oversees crypto and commodities. Bank Indonesia regulates payment systems. OJK protects financial consumers. Their overlapping jurisdictions created a multi-agency enforcement path. The platform got no single point of contact for compliance.
U.S. Precedent Followed Here
The CFTC took action against Polymarket in 2022. That led to immediate geoblocking of U.S. users. Indonesia's move mirrors this approach but uses local gambling frameworks. The platform now faces similar restrictions in a key Southeast Asian market. Its blockchain-based operations using USDC stablecoin settlements remain unaffected globally. Only Indonesian access points are cut off.
Polymarket users in Indonesia now see block pages when attempting to access the site. The company hasn't announced plans to seek local licensing. Any resolution would require navigating all four regulatory agencies simultaneously. No deadline for compliance exists under current rules.
