Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN) has officially prohibited access to Polymarket, declaring the crypto-based prediction market platform illegal for Romanian citizens. The regulatory action targets what authorities classify as unlicensed gambling operations facilitated through cryptocurrency mechanisms.
The prohibition follows coordinated international regulatory scrutiny, with multiple jurisdictions including the United States, France, Belgium, Poland, Singapore, and Thailand taking similar enforcement measures. Global financial watchdogs have consistently raised concerns about prediction markets operating outside established gambling licensing frameworks.
Polymarket’s platform enables users to speculate on real-world events using cryptocurrency, with recent political developments attracting significant trading volume. Market data indicates approximately $600 million in wagers surrounding various global election outcomes, drawing increased regulatory attention to the prediction market sector.
Romanian officials emphasized that all gambling services offered within national borders must comply with local licensing requirements and consumer protection standards. The blacklisting prevents domestic internet service providers from directing users to Polymarket’s digital infrastructure.
This enforcement action reflects broader international efforts to establish regulatory clarity for blockchain-based financial products and prediction markets. Financial authorities worldwide continue to monitor emerging crypto platforms that potentially overlap with traditional gambling regulations.
