Argentina Issues Nationwide Ban on Polymarket

Argentina has blocked access to Polymarket across the entire country after a Buenos Aires court ruled that the prediction market platform operates as an illegal, unregulated gambling service. The court order, issued on March 16, 2026, directs the national telecom regulator ENACOM to work with internet service providers to block Polymarket's website and domains. Apple and Google have also been ordered to remove the Polymarket app from their stores for Argentine users.

The ban makes Argentina roughly the 34th country to fully restrict the platform and the second in Latin America after Colombia. But this was not just a routine regulatory crackdown. The court action came directly after reports of suspicious trading activity tied to Argentina's official inflation data, raising questions about insider access and market manipulation.

What Triggered the Ban?

The ban traces back to one specific contract: Polymarket's "Argentina Monthly Inflation - February" market.

On March 13, just minutes before Argentina's national statistics agency INDEC published the official February 2026 inflation figure of 2.9%, the odds on Polymarket shifted sharply. The actual number came in above the 2.6% to 2.8% range forecast by most private analysts, and the market appeared to price in the correct result before it was public.

Argentine journalist Andres Lerner of Ámbito Financiero flagged the anomaly publicly. He pointed to concentrated bets from accounts that had previously traded small, diversified positions but suddenly loaded up on the exact 2.9% outcome in the hours before the release. Total volume on the inflation contract surged to nearly $91,000 before the data dropped. For a regional economic indicator market, that level of activity stood out.

The incident drew formal complaints from two significant bodies: the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA) and the Argentine Chamber of Casinos and Bingos (CASCBA). Both organizations pushed gambling regulators and the Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate. Authorities moved quickly.

Why Did the Court Call It Gambling?

The court's ruling rests on a straightforward argument. Polymarket has no age gates, no user checks, and no licensing. Users can fund bets with crypto or credit cards. Under Argentine gambling and consumer protection laws, that combination makes the platform an unregulated betting operation, plain and simple.

The court specifically described Polymarket as "concealed online betting" rather than a legitimate financial tool or forecasting platform. That distinction matters because it puts Polymarket in the same regulatory bucket as unauthorized casinos and sports betting sites, not fintech products.

Authorities also raised concerns about minors accessing the platform. Without any verification requirements, there is no mechanism to prevent underage users from placing bets. That point gave regulators additional legal footing to justify the nationwide block.

How Is the Ban Being Enforced?

The enforcement is already underway at the ISP level, according to multiple reports. ENACOM is coordinating directly with Argentine internet providers to block access to Polymarket's domains. On the app side, the court order requires Apple and Google to pull the Polymarket apps from their respective stores for users located in Argentina. Some reports indicate that existing installations may also be affected.

Argentine users will effectively lose both web and app access to the platform. Polymarket has not issued a public response to the ban as of publication.

Is This Part of a Bigger Trend?

Argentina is not acting in isolation. Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are facing increasing scrutiny across Latin America and beyond. Brazil has been examining similar restrictions. In the United States, the regulatory picture remains fragmented, with some states pushing back against prediction markets while federal agencies continue to debate classification.

The core tension is the same everywhere: are prediction markets financial instruments, gambling products, or something entirely new? Different jurisdictions are landing on different answers, but the trend in Latin America is clearly leaning toward the gambling classification.

For Polymarket specifically, each new country ban narrows its global footprint. At roughly 34 countries and counting, the list of places where the platform operates freely is getting shorter.

Sources:

• Bitcoin.com Detailed reporting on the court order, ENACOM enforcement directive, and the inflation contract insider trading trigger
• Buenos Aires Times Local English-language coverage including the $91,000 contract volume figure and timeline of the inflation data controversy
• BeInCrypto Confirmation of enforcement actions and context on Polymarket being restricted in approximately 34 countries