Argentina joins growing list of countries blocking Polymarket access

Policy Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Argentina joins growing list of countries blocking Polymarket access The ruling directs internet providers to block access to the site, and Apple and Google to remove or restrict Polymarket's mobile apps. By Francisco Rodrigues | Edited by Stephen Alpher Mar 17, 2026, 12:44 p.m. Make us preferred on Google (Angelica Reyes/Unsplash/Modified by CoinDesk) What to know : Argentina has ordered a nationwide block on prediction market Polymarket, citing that it was operating without local approval and exposed users to gambling-related risks. The ruling directs internet providers to block access to the site, and Apple and Google to remove or restrict Polymarket's mobile apps. The move is part of a broader crackdown on Polymarket, which already restricts or blocks access to users in over 30 countries, including France, Germany, and Australia. Argentina has ordered a nationwide block on prediction market Polymarket after a Buenos Aires court found the platform was operating without local approval and exposed users to gambling-related risks. The ruling directs internet providers across the country to block access to the site and its related domains, according to local media . It also ordered Apple and Google to remove or restrict Polymarket’s mobile apps for users in the country. The measure is being carried out through ENACOM, Argentina’s communications regulator. The case was pushed by the City of Buenos Aires Lottery, or LOTBA, and backed by casino industry group Câmara Argentina de Salas de Casinos, Bindos y Anexos (CASCBA). Prosecutors said Polymarket presents itself as a prediction market but works in practice like a betting platform, where users stake money on yes-or-no outcomes tied to politics, inflation, wars and other headline events. The probe gained attention after Polymarket appeared to point to Argentina’s February inflation figure shortly before the official INDEC release. That market saw a major swing ahead of the data’s official release, suggesting some acted on privileged information. Still, authorities said they centered their case on the platform’s legal status and consumer safeguards. Officials said the site allowed funding through crypto and credit cards, did not apply strong identity or age checks and let users open accounts within minutes. Prosecutors argued that the setup made it easier for minors and other vulnerable users to access gambling products. The move follows a plethora of other countries treating Polymarket as an unlicensed gambling platform. The prediction market already restricts or blocks access to users in more than 30 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Poland. In some markets, regulators have gone further. Ukraine ordered internet providers to block the site earlier this year, as part of a wider crackdown on online betting. There’s currently no legal way for Polymarket to operate in that country , according to Dmitry Nikolaievskyi, chief legal officer at the Project Office for the Development of Ukraine's Digital Economy at the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Polymarket Argentina Prediction Markets More For You SEC drops lawsuit against BitClout’s Nader Al-Naji By Olivier Acuna | Edited by Sheldon Reback Mar 16, 2026 The regulator ended its civil enforcement case accusing the DeSo creator of wire fraud and selling unregistered crypto securities. What to know : The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission permanently ended its civil enforcement action against BitClout founder Nader Al-Naji, citing the specific facts and circumstances of the case. The decision, approved in a joint stipulation filed March 12 in the Southern District of New York, bars the SEC from refiling the same securities claims tied to BitClout and its BTCLT token. The case had accused Al-Naji of raising about $257 million through unregistered securities and misusing more than $7 million of investor funds, while also naming several related entities and individuals as relief defendants. Read full story Latest Crypto News Mastercard agrees to purchase BVNK for up to $1.8 billion 23 minutes ago PayPal expands its stablecoin into 70 markets 46 minutes ago Bitcoin hits a wall at $75,000 while onchain energy markets run hot 1 hour ago Cango is selling off its bitcoin stash to pay down debt and fund an AI makeover 1 hour ago Bitcoin consolidation seen with BTC remaining 'overbought' after pullback 2 hours ago Equity, oil and bond markets have freaked out. Bitcoin traders have not. 2 hours ago Top Stories OpenSea delays highly anticipated token launch, citing challenging crypto market conditions 15 hours ago Man accuses wife of using CCTV cameras to steal $172 million bitcoin from his hardware wallet 14 hours ago Bitcoin hits rare 8-day winning streak – but 2022 bear market saw one too 3 hours ago Ethereum Foundation’s new mandate sparks debate about its role, priorities 20 hours ago