Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has restricted public access to Polymarket, a US-based platform that operates as a prediction market using blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The decision, announced on May 22, 2026, underscores the government’s firm stance against any form of speculative betting disguised as innovative financial tools.
Ministry officials classified Polymarket as an online gambling operation, noting that it enables users to place monetary wagers on the outcomes of uncertain future events, such as political developments, economic shifts, or sports results.
Despite its use of advanced crypto infrastructure, authorities emphasized that these activities fall squarely under prohibited gambling practices according to Indonesian law.
Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Supervision, stated that the government will not tolerate any space for such platforms, highlighting their potential to cause financial harm, particularly to younger users navigating the digital environment.
The block came shortly after Polymarket hosted a market allowing bets on whether President Prabowo Subianto would leave office before the end of his term in 2029.
This specific contract gained significant traction on Indonesian social media, prompting swift regulatory action.
While the official statement avoided direct reference to the presidential betting market, it broadly addressed the platform’s facilitation of speculation on inconclusive events as a clear legal violation.
Beyond cutting off the main website, the ministry has initiated a thorough review of all social media accounts linked to Polymarket to prevent promotion and access through alternative channels.
This comprehensive approach aims to create a safer digital environment and protect citizens from the risks associated with unregulated speculative activities.
The government has also signaled it will target similar prediction market services that attempt to operate under the same model.
This development fits into Indonesia’s broader campaign against online gambling, which has involved heightened monitoring, public awareness efforts, and coordination with law enforcement.
Gambling remains strictly illegal in the country, and regulators have ramped up initiatives to curb its spread through digital means, including the use of technology for detection and user protection programs focused on youth and vulnerable groups.
Internationally, Indonesia joins a growing list of nations scrutinizing or restricting access to Polymarket and comparable platforms.
Countries such as Singapore, Brazil, and India have implemented full blocks, while others like Taiwan, Thailand, China, and Japan have introduced targeted limitations aligned with their domestic regulations.
These actions reflect ongoing global debates about how to classify and oversee crypto-based prediction markets, which blend elements of trading, information aggregation, and betting.
For Indonesian internet users, the restriction means the platform is no longer directly accessible without circumvention tools like VPNs, though officials warn that engaging in such activities could still carry legal risks.
The ministry continues to urge the public to steer clear of digital betting schemes involving crypto assets, stressing the importance of maintaining a productive and secure online ecosystem.
This latest enforcement highlights the tension between emerging financial technologies and traditional regulatory frameworks. As prediction markets gain popularity worldwide for their potential to forecast events through crowd wisdom, governments like Indonesia’s are prioritizing consumer safeguards and legal compliance over unrestricted access.