Polymarket has been added to a banned list of online gambling websites following a Crikey report.
Logo for Polymarket and example of bets the website offers (Image: Private Media/Polymarket)
The gambling regulator has ordered internet providers to block Polymarket in Australia, after a Crikey investigation found the betting platform appeared to be targeting Australian users.
On Wednesday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) published the names of four “illegal online gambling sites”, including Polymarket, that it is adding to a list of nearly 1,300 previously blocked websites.
“Investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2007,” ACMA’s notice said. Crikey first reported the regulator’s investigation back in May.
Under the Telecommunications Act 1997, Australian internet service providers are obliged to block access to websites requested by ACMA for reasons such as breaching the Interactive Gambling Act by offering gambling services to Australians without a licence.
Already banned in countries including France, Switzerland and Belgium, Polymarket is a company that allows people to bet cryptocurrency on “prediction markets” about everything from sports to politics.
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In the lead-up to the 2025 Australian federal election, Crikey reported that Polymarket was paying Australian Instagram and TikTok creators to promote betting on Australian-related markets to their audiences.
Polymarket does try to limit Australian users via geoblocking. However, these measures are easily circumvented using a VPN. Many accounts betting on Australian-related markets appeared to belong to Australians.
Polymarket has been contacted for comment.
Polymarket has been added to a banned list of online gambling websites following a Crikey report.
Logo for Polymarket and example of bets the website offers (Image: Private Media/Polymarket)
The gambling regulator has ordered internet providers to block Polymarket in Australia, after a Crikey investigation found the betting platform appeared to be targeting Australian users.
On Wednesday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) published the names of four “illegal online gambling sites”, including Polymarket, that it is adding to a list of nearly 1,300 previously blocked websites.
“Investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2007,” ACMA’s notice said. Crikey first reported the regulator’s investigation back in May.
Under the Telecommunications Act 1997, Australian internet service providers are obliged to block access to websites requested by ACMA for reasons such as breaching the Interactive Gambling Act by offering gambling services to Australians without a licence.
Already banned in countries including France, Switzerland and Belgium, Polymarket is a company that allows people to bet cryptocurrency on “prediction markets” about everything from sports to politics.
Independent. Irreverent. In your inbox
Get the headlines they don’t want you to read. Sign up to Crikey’s free newsletters for fearless reporting, sharp analysis, and a touch of chaos
By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
In the lead-up to the 2025 Australian federal election, Crikey reported that Polymarket was paying Australian Instagram and TikTok creators to promote betting on Australian-related markets to their audiences.
Polymarket does try to limit Australian users via geoblocking. However, these measures are easily circumvented using a VPN. Many accounts betting on Australian-related markets appeared to belong to Australians.
Polymarket has been contacted for comment.
