Argentina has ordered a nationwide block of Polymarket, a crypto-based prediction market platform.
The ban followed a court ruling on March 16, 2026. Buenos Aires Judge Susana Parada directed telecom regulator ENACOM to restrict access through all internet providers.
She also instructed Google and Apple to remove the platform’s app from their stores for Argentine users.
The decision followed a complaint from the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA), which led authorities to classify Polymarket as an unlicensed online gambling service.
No Age Checks, No Identity Verification
The court found that Polymarket operated in Argentina without local authorisation. It accepted cryptocurrencies and credit cards without requiring identity or age verification.
Users could create accounts within minutes. Regulators raised alarms about minors gaining unrestricted access.
Judge Parada stated the platform’s features “significantly increase the risks for users.”
The block covers Polymarket and all its variants. However, as of 1:05 pm on Monday, the platform remained accessible in Argentina.
A Regulatory Trigger: Predicting Inflation Data Early
The timing of the ban is notable. Just before the block, Polymarket predicted Argentina’s February inflation data 15 minutes before the national statistics agency INDEC published it.
The incident added pressure on regulators to act swiftly.
Latin America’s Second Polymarket Ban
Argentina is now the second country in Latin America to ban the platform, following Colombia. In October 2025, Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié stated that Polymarket “is illegal and does not have the necessary permits to operate online gaming in Colombia.” His office opened an investigation into those responsible.
The move fits into a wider global crackdown on prediction markets.
In the United States, Kalshi faced a lawsuit in Oregon in February 2026 for allegedly operating an illegal online gambling enterprise.
Argentina’s Broader Crypto Regulatory Push
The Polymarket ban is part of a wider effort to formalise Argentina’s digital asset sector.
Following the passage of Law 27,739 in March 2024, the National Securities Commission (CNV) introduced mandatory registration for all crypto businesses operating in the country.
The law created a formal Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) framework.
CNV President Roberto E. Silva has stressed the importance of balancing regulation with innovation.
He noted the rules were designed to align with the law while avoiding unnecessary costs to the industry.
Argentina has also signaled openness toward crypto in mainstream banking. The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) is considering lifting its ban on banks offering cryptocurrency services. New rules could be ready as early as April 2026.
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