Indonesia’s Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry has blocked access to Polymarket, treating the prediction market platform as part of its wider online gambling crackdown. Polymarket allows users to place money on uncertain outcomes through prediction markets, including events linked to politics, economics and sport. That brings the platform under Indonesia’s online gambling restrictions, even though Polymarket presents itself as a prediction market rather than a sportsbook.
Ministry targets prediction markets
Indonesia has taken a strict position on online gambling. The government does not permit digital betting activity, and authorities have been blocking gambling websites, payment routes and promotional channels.
Polymarket was blocked after the ministry reviewed how the platform works. Users can buy and sell contracts linked to future events, with payouts based on whether the chosen outcome happens.
The ministry also plans to trace social media accounts linked to Polymarket. That step is aimed at stopping the platform from reaching Indonesian users through online promotion, not only through its main website.
Crackdown covers sites, payments and promotion
Indonesia’s gambling enforcement has moved across websites, payment accounts, social media promotion and organised gambling networks. The country has also used artificial intelligence tools to detect gambling content online as part of digital monitoring by the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry.
Police action has continued alongside online blocking. Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities arrested hundreds of foreign nationals in Jakarta during a raid on an alleged online gambling operation.
Indonesia keeps expanding online gambling controls
Indonesia has blocked large numbers of gambling-related websites and online accounts in recent years. Authorities have also pressured digital platforms, telecom providers and financial institutions to act faster against gambling content and transactions.
The Polymarket block shows that Indonesia’s crackdown is not limited to traditional casino or sportsbook websites. Prediction markets can also be targeted when authorities view the activity as users risking money on uncertain outcomes.
