Romania’s National Office for Gambling has officially designated prediction market platform Polymarket as an unlicensed gambling operation, requiring immediate regulatory compliance. The regulatory body issued a firm statement emphasizing it will “not permit blockchain technology to serve as a facade for unauthorized betting activities.” This enforcement action highlights growing global regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrency-based prediction markets, which allow users to speculate on real-world events using digital assets. While blockchain advocates argue these platforms represent innovative financial instruments, Romanian authorities maintain they fall under existing gambling legislation requiring formal licensing, consumer protections, and regulatory oversight. The blacklisting requires Polymarket to either cease operations targeting Romanian citizens or pursue proper licensing through established gambling regulatory channels. This development reflects broader tensions between decentralized finance platforms and traditional regulatory frameworks, as jurisdictions worldwide grapple with classifying and governing emerging blockchain-based financial services. The Romanian gambling regulator’s position signals that technological innovation won’t exempt platforms from complying with national gambling regulations designed to protect consumers and maintain market integrity.
