Traditional Casinos Team Up to Take Down Polymarket: Argentina Issues National Ban

Author: Tim Alper

Translation: Deep潮 TechFlow

Deep潮 Introduction: Argentina’s traditional casino industry association and the National Lottery Bureau jointly sued Polymarket, successfully convincing the Buenos Aires court to issue a nationwide ban — on the grounds of “operating unlicensed gambling platforms.”

This is not just a regulatory action by one country but a standard operation manual used by traditional gambling interest groups to crack down on crypto prediction markets, with France and Romania having taken similar steps earlier.

Full text below:

Buenos Aires Court Orders Nationwide Ban on Polymarket

Prosecutor Claims Polymarket Operates Without Gambling License

Buenos Aires Legislative Body Discusses Bill to Fully Ban Cryptocurrency Gambling

Argentina’s gambling regulator and casinos successfully persuaded the court to issue a nationwide ban on the crypto-driven prediction market platform Polymarket.

The Buenos Aires court issued this nationwide ban following two formal complaints from the Buenos Aires Lottery Agency and the Argentine Casino, Bingo, and Related Associations Chamber (CASCBA).

The city lottery agency is a state-owned enterprise responsible for regulating, licensing, and taxing all active gambling operators within Buenos Aires. CASCBA is an industry association representing land-based gambling operators in Argentina, including casinos and bingo halls.

“Internet service providers have been instructed to take necessary measures to enforce the ban,” reported Argentine media Pagina 12, citing the Buenos Aires Prosecutor’s Office.

The ban comes after criticism of Polymarket last week for allowing bets on Argentina’s inflation data — with some opinions suggesting that certain users may have accessed relevant information before the official data was released.

This marks yet another setback for Polymarket and other crypto prediction markets, which have previously faced resistance from courts and gambling regulators in the U.S. In January, a Massachusetts court banned Polymarket’s competitor Kalshi for “non-compliance” with sports betting regulations.

“Unlicensed Sports Betting”

The legal cases from the Buenos Aires Lottery Agency and CASCBA revolve around the same core claim: Polymarket allows Buenos Aires residents to place bets on an unlicensed platform.

The complaint was supported by the prosecutor, who assigned a team specializing in gambling cases to handle the matter.

The prosecutor informed the court that “the platform operates as a clandestine online betting system” and does not require users to complete identity or age verification.

“This means anyone, including children and teenagers, can access the platform and start betting without any regulatory mechanisms,” the prosecutor told the court.

Crypto Gambling Controversy

The prosecutor also accused Polymarket of allowing Argentine users to bet using cryptocurrencies and credit cards.

In Buenos Aires, gambling companies can offer crypto and credit card betting services but must obtain a special license from the city lottery agency.

However, the legislative body has expressed strong opposition to companies allowing customers to gamble with credit or cryptocurrencies.

Members of the Argentine Congress are currently discussing a private member’s bill seeking to completely ban online casinos and other gambling sites from using cryptocurrencies and credit cards.

Polymarket has previously been blocked by courts in France, Romania, and other European countries.

The platform still offers odds on several Argentina-related markets, including whether the country will adopt the U.S. dollar before the June 30 deadline. It also provides odds on whether President Javier Milei can complete his full term before the 2027 elections.

Polymarket did not immediately respond to requests for comment.