Indonesia has blocked access to the prediction market platform Polymarket, after it hosted wagers on whether President Prabowo Subianto would leave office before his term ends.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs announced the block on Friday, describing Polymarket as an “online gambling site disguised as a prediction market.”
“The government will not allow any form of online gambling in Indonesia,” ministry official Alexander Sabar said, adding that activities like Polymarket involve betting on uncertain outcomes, violating Indonesian law.
The action came after Polymarket opened a wager tied to Prabowo’s presidency, allowing users to bet on whether he would leave office before dates like May 31, June 30, and Dec. 31, 2026, even though his term runs until October 2029. The market recorded over $46,000 in trading volume, with traders pricing an 18% chance of him leaving by the end of 2026.
Indonesia joins a growing list of jurisdictions - now over 30 - that have restricted access to Polymarket, as global scrutiny of prediction markets intensifies.