Argentina has initiated a nationwide block on Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction market, following a court decision delivered on March 16, 2026. The ruling, issued by Buenos Aires Judge Susana Parada, compels the National Communications Entity (ENACOM) to restrict access to the platform via all internet service providers in the country. Additionally, Google and Apple must remove Polymarket’s apps from their respective digital stores for users within Argentina.
Regulatory Action Triggered By Local Complaints
This enforcement follows a complaint raised by the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires (known as LOTBA), an organization responsible for regulating gaming and lotteries in the city. LOTBA, supported shortly after by the Argentine Chamber of Casinos, Bingos, and Annexes (CASCBA), presented the case to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling (FEJA). Technical assistance was provided by the Judicial Investigations Corps during the process.
Authorities argued that Polymarket was operating as an unlicensed entity, offering an online prediction market that falls under existing gambling laws. After investigation, the court concluded that the platform’s activities amounted to an unauthorized and unregulated digital venue that could be accessed by minors due to insufficient user verification standards.
Security And Compliance Concerns Drive Judicial Order
The court decision was largely anchored in Polymarket’s admission processes. Registration required neither age nor identity verification, and users could deposit both cryptocurrencies and credit cards without robust background checks. Regulators found this setup posed a significant risk, particularly for underage users.
Judge Parada emphasized these vulnerabilities, noting that the unrestricted access and lack of oversight represented a substantial danger to participants. Coverage of the ban includes all iterations of the Polymarket platform across digital access points in the country.
Judge Parada pointed to the lack of age and identity verification as factors that “significantly increase the risks for users.”
Despite the order, the Polymarket platform was reportedly still accessible inside Argentina as of the afternoon on March 16, but the regulatory instructions are expected to be enforced soon.
Polymarket is best known for its crypto prediction markets on world events, including elections and economic indicators, and has gained significant traction since its launch.
Argentina now joins Colombia as the second country in Latin America to implement a comprehensive ban against Polymarket. Both nations’ actions set a precedent for regulatory responses to decentralized prediction markets throughout the region.
Observers note that the timing of the restriction followed a recent incident where Polymarket offered predictions on the release of Argentina’s February inflation numbers before official publication, escalating concerns among local authorities.
The regulatory climate in the United States has followed a different path, with authorities exploring a framework for cryptocurrency-based prediction platforms rather than imposing sweeping bans. Polymarket’s presence grew considerably during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with the platform reporting higher odds for Donald Trump compared to traditional polling firms, contributing to its international prominence.
