Criminal, Misdemeanor and Offenses Court No. 31, presided over by Judge Susana Parada, ordered the blocking of Polymarket—the world’s largest prediction market platform—throughout Argentina, after determining that the site operated as an unauthorized betting system. The measure was promoted by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling (FEJA), under the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) of the City of Buenos Aires.
With this ruling, Argentina becomes the first Latin American country to achieve this type of block, which, according to the MPF, marks a regional milestone in online gambling regulation and could impact other similar platforms operating without a license in the country. Polymarket hosts bets on any future event, from a football match to a global economic crisis.
The case began following a complaint filed by the City of Buenos Aires Lottery (LOTBA), which detected that the platform was operating without authorization across Argentina. As a result, prosecutor Juan Rozas, head of FEJA, launched the investigation that led to the court’s ruling.
Expert reports, which included technical intervention by the MPF’s Judicial Investigations Body (CIJ), established that the site functioned as an online betting system disguised as “prediction markets.”
According to the investigation, the platform displayed characteristics that significantly increased risks for users. It allowed transactions via cryptocurrencies and credit cards, did not require identity or age verification, and enabled account creation within minutes.
In practice, this meant that anyone—including minors—could access the platform and begin betting without any form of control.
Blocking measures
To implement the decision, the National Communications Authority (ENACOM) was instructed to coordinate the block through internet service providers.
The ruling also included a particularly significant measure: ordering Google Inc. and Apple Inc. to remove and restrict access to the platform’s mobile apps on their Android and iOS systems across Argentina, including for users who already had active accounts in the country.
According to FEJA authorities, the judicial decision was the result of coordinated work among various bodies involved in gambling regulation.
While LOTBA filed the initial complaint, the Association of State Lotteries of Argentina (ALEA) confirmed that the platform had no authorization in any jurisdiction in the country, providing key evidence to establish the illegality of its operations at a federal level.
Meanwhile, the Argentine Chamber of Casino, Bingo Halls, and Annexes (CASCBA) also filed a separate complaint, contributing relevant information about the irregular operations and the lack of identity and age controls.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/03/18/118127-argentina-court-blocks-access-to-leading-prediction-market-platform-polymarket
