Argentina has ordered a nationwide block on prediction market platform Polymarket after a Buenos Aires court ruled it was operating as an unlicensed gambling service.
The decision requires internet providers to restrict access while Apple and Google have been instructed to remove or limit the app, effectively cutting off local users.
The ruling followed an investigation led by Prosecutor Juan Rozas into alleged breaches of gambling regulations and compliance failures.
Authorities said Polymarket allowed users to trade on real-world outcomes without identity or age verification, raising concerns over unrestricted access including by minors.
The platform was also found to support crypto and card payments without applying controls required under regulated betting frameworks, according to prosecutors.
The case was triggered by a complaint from the Buenos Aires city lottery regulator, which confirmed Polymarket did not hold a licence in Argentina or other recognised jurisdictions.
Trading activity on the platform also drew scrutiny after volumes tied to Argentina’s February inflation data surged to about $91,000 shortly before official figures were released.
The crackdown reflects a broader global trend, with regulators in multiple countries increasing pressure on prediction market platforms over compliance and oversight risks.