Polymarket has joined the banned online gambling websites list after a report from Crikey appeared. The online gambling authority in Australia gave orders for internet providers to block Polymarket, following a Crikey investigation that showed the betting site was focusing on Australian users. On Wednesday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced four “illegal online gambling sites,” with Polymarket included, making the total list almost 1,300 sites already blocked.
Breach of Australian Gambling Laws
“Investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2007,” the ACMA notice stated, while Crikey reported the agency’s probe earlier in May. The Telecommunications Act 1997 requires each Australian internet service provider to block websites when the ACMA asks, such as for breaking the Interactive Gambling Act by giving gambling options to users in Australia who do not have licences. Already blocked in France, Switzerland, and Belgium, Polymarket is a business that lets users bet cryptocurrency in “prediction markets” about subjects like political races or sports.
Targeting Australian Users Ahead of 2025 Election
As the 2025 Australian federal election gets closer, Crikey reported Polymarket paid Instagram and TikTok influencers in Australia to encourage bets on topics about Australia to their viewers. Polymarket does use geoblocking to restrict Australian access, but these blocking methods can be bypassed with a VPN. Numerous betting accounts seen on Australian-focused betting markets looked like they were run by people in Australia.
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