A court in Argentina decided to impose a nationwide access ban on Polymarket, one of the prediction market applications. In line with the decision dated March 16, 2026, communications regulator ENACOM was instructed to immediately cut off access to this platform and its derivatives through all internet service providers. With this development, Argentina became the second country in Latin America, after Colombia, to completely ban access to Polymarket.
Concerns About Licensing and Data Sharing
The institution that initiated the court process was the Public Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires, LOTBA. In the institution’s complaint, it was stated that Polymarket operated without a local license and did not have user protection measures required by Argentine law, such as age verification and identity checks. The court declared the platform illegal, describing it as an online gaming service without a license.
One incident stood out in making the decision quickly. Polymarket’s 2.9 percent inflation forecast, about 15 minutes before the official statement of the national statistical agency INDEC, caused public reaction. The release of inflation data before the official announcement raised concerns that confidential government economic information was being leaked. This situation was effective in prompting regulatory authorities to take action.
Increasing Restrictions on a Global Scale
The court decision was not limited to the internet access ban. Users in Argentina were also prevented from accessing Polymarket mobile applications from Apple and Google stores. Thus, it is aimed to overcome the classical browser-based obstacle by alternative means.
The pressure on Polymarket is not limited to Argentina. In recent years, the platform’s operations have been completely stopped in major markets such as the USA, the UK, France, Germany and Australia. In 2026, Portugal, Hungary and Ukraine joined the countries that decided to completely block. Colombia was the first country in Latin America to implement this type of blocking.
In some countries, different restriction methods are preferred. In Singapore, Poland, Thailand and Taiwan, users are allowed to close existing positions but cannot open new trades. This model points to a cautious control approach rather than an absolute ban.
A Different Regulation Approach in the USA
The blocking of Polymarket in many countries has brought the discussions about the platform’s high accuracy in market forecasts to the agenda again. Although some countries, such as the United States, restrict access to the platform, there has been a recent trend towards incorporating prediction markets into the financial regulatory framework. This approach aims to subject platforms to legal supervision rather than banning them directly. It draws attention as a solution proposal different from the decision taken by the Argentine court.
The increase in restrictions in the countries where the platform operates has serious effects in terms of trade volume and liquidity. Polymarket, as a prediction market that stands out with its real-time data and forecasts, is known for its high accuracy rate, especially on important events such as economic indicators and elections. However, the legal uncertainty in many countries’ approach to the platform leads to different assessments of whether these services should be considered financial instruments or gaming products.
The rapid increase in the number of countries with access restrictions as of 2026 raises the question of whether Polymarket will be able to continue its operations on a global scale. Particularly due to liquidity requirements, remaining open markets are important to the viability of the platform.
