Argentine court orders nationwide block of Polymarket apps and site

A Buenos Aires court on March 11 ordered Argentina’s communications regulator, ENACOM, to block access nationwide to the crypto-based prediction market Polymarket and instructed Google and Apple to remove or restrict the platform’s mobile apps in Argentina. The order was issued by the Buenos Aires Court of First Instance in Criminal, Contravention and Minor Offenses No. 31 and stems from a criminal investigation into alleged unauthorized gambling.

The case began after the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA) filed a complaint that Polymarket was operating gambling services without the required permits. Prosecutor Juan Rozas of the Specialized Gaming Prosecutor’s Office (FEJA) opened the probe that led to the court order. The judge directed ENACOM to carry out the block directly or through internet service providers and to inform the court or prosecutors promptly if technical or other obstacles prevent full compliance.

Authorities raised concerns about the platform’s identity and age verification procedures. Investigators wrote that “in practice, this meant that anyone — including children and adolescents — could access and start betting without any control.” The order covers the platform’s website and its variants across Argentina and includes removing app access for existing users.

Some local users have discussed technical workarounds such as virtual private networks. The court noted the restriction originates from a city-level tribunal rather than national legislation. ENACOM has been asked to report any enforcement limitations reported by internet providers or app distributors.

Polymarket previously drew attention in Argentina after prediction markets tied to the country’s inflation figures closely matched official statistics, prompting questions about possible insider trading. Polymarket did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The court order does not end the criminal investigation. Prosecutors will continue examining whether Polymarket offered gambling services without authorization while monitoring ENACOM’s enforcement and any technical issues reported by providers or app stores as the case proceeds.

As we reported earlier, Utah’s legislature passed HB243 narrowing proposition bets to specific in-game events and sent the bill to Governor Spencer Cox, who intends to sign it, which would bar Kalshi, Polymarket and similar platforms from offering sports proposition bets in the state; Kalshi has sued in federal court claiming its event contracts are derivatives under the Commodity Exchange Act and fall under CFTC jurisdiction, a contention tested after a judge in Ohio denied Kalshi an injunction and the CFTC asserted authority over prediction markets.