Argentina Court Orders Polymarket Block Over Inflation Bets
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March 16, 2026: A Buenos Aires court ordered a nationwide block of crypto prediction market Polymarket, instructing ISPs and app stores to restrict access and assigning enforcement to ENACOM after prosecutors said it operated without authorization. The move followed about $91,000 of wagers on Argentina’s February inflation before the INDEC release; authorities allege unauthorized betting tied to sensitive economic data and potential breaches of local gambling licensing and KYC/age-verification rules. The ruling heightens regulatory scrutiny of prediction markets and DeFi betting platforms in Argentina (following similar European actions), increasing legal, compliance and adoption risks for Polymarket and related crypto services.
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A Buenos Aires court has ordered a nationwide block on prediction market platform Polymarket after authorities said it operated without authorization and enabled online betting tied to sensitive economic data.
The ruling, issued on March 16, 2026, followed an investigation led by local prosecutors. Reports indicate the court instructed internet service providers to restrict access, while app stores were asked to remove or limit availability in Argentina.
The decision places the platform under immediate legal scrutiny and raises broader questions about how prediction markets operate in jurisdictions that classify them as gambling services.
Buenos Aires Court Targets Polymarket Over Inflation Bets
Authorities moved after users placed wagers on Argentina’s February inflation rate before the official release by INDEC. Reports said total bets reached about $91,000, which drew attention from regulators.
Prosecutors argued that such activity could resemble unauthorized betting tied to non-public or market-sensitive information. As a result, the court reviewed whether the platform violated local gambling and financial regulations.
Judge Susana Parada approved measures to block access nationwide. Enforcement responsibility was assigned to ENACOM, which oversees telecom and internet services.
Legal Status and Licensing Concerns Expand Review
The case also focuses on whether Polymarket held any license to operate in Argentina. Local regulators, including city gambling authorities, reportedly supported the complaint, citing lack of authorization.
Officials described the platform as a “clandestine online betting system,” according to local coverage. In addition, authorities are examining whether identity and age verification controls met local requirements.
At the same time, the ruling adds Argentina to a growing list of jurisdictions reviewing or restricting prediction markets. Earlier actions in Europe signaled similar concerns about classification, compliance, and consumer protection.
The court order has not yet been published in full through official channels. However, statements from prosecutors and multiple local reports confirm that access restrictions are already being implemented.
Further legal clarification is expected as authorities determine whether additional enforcement or regulatory steps will follow.
