Indonesia Blocks Polymarket Amid Online Gambling Concerns Following Bets on Prabowo’s Exit

Kuala Lumpur — The Indonesian government has blocked access to the prediction market platform Polymarket as part of its crackdown on online gambling.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has classified Polymarket as an unlicensed online gambling platform that violates Indonesian law, citing its offering of bets and speculation on uncertain future events.

According to ministry official Alexander Sabar, the platform engages in “betting and speculation on events that have yet to occur,” which contravenes Indonesia’s strict laws that prohibit all forms of gambling.

The blockade was implemented just days after Polymarket gained significant attention on Indonesian social media. The platform opened a prediction market on when President Prabowo Subianto would “exit as president,” despite his term only recently beginning and scheduled to end in 2029.

The controversial market was launched on 21 May — one day after President Prabowo announced major plans to centralize control over the country’s key commodity exports, including coal and palm oil. The move has drawn investor attention and sparked widespread speculation about his administration’s economic policies.

“The government is investigating all social media accounts related to Polymarket,” Sabar said in a statement released last Friday.

Polymarket is a blockchain-based prediction market that allows users to profit from correctly forecasting outcomes of sports events, elections, and various global happenings. While the platform has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry, it has faced criticism and bans in several countries for operating as unlicensed gambling.

As of now, Polymarket has not issued any official comment regarding Indonesia’s decision to block the platform.

This action aligns with the Indonesian government’s ongoing efforts to curb the spread of online gambling. Several other platforms have previously been blocked for similar reasons.

Although some users can still access the site using VPNs, the government is expected to continue monitoring and enforcing the restrictions.