Indonesia blocks Polymarket after bets on president’s exit

[freedomgo]

With what I know about the culture and religion there is that, most of the people there muslim. And that's not allowed for all who are in the same religion because that's haram.

So it makes sense for a muslim country to prohibit gambling despite that there's a lot of revenue that they're missing.

They're valuing more the welfare of their people and the importance of their culture and beliefs of their heritage that they need to preserve.

It has already been illegal for a long time, but they recently updated the law because the old one mainly covered physical casinos and was already outdated.

With the growing popularity of online casinos and prediction markets, they probably felt the need to remind people that accessing these platforms is illegal, while also warning those who offer or promote them. From what I understand, both offering and accessing these services may now be treated as criminal offenses under the updated law.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

~
we now have more than 8 countries that has banned them and the number will still increase because of how they are getting exposed of insider trading.

If someone is seriously using Polymarket and other decentralized alternatives, the lack of KYC makes it easier to bypass these restrictions. As long as Polymarket is not restricting your country in its sanctioned jurisdictions, there is nothing to worry about, as they have already restricted access from 34 countries.

Yea, you are right but the possibility of still using the prediction market in those regions is if there's no harsh rules that threatens the well being of any individual caught using those website, but if that's not the case, then people can still freely use the platform without trouble I guess. Although I guess too that some law abiding citizens will also cease from using the platform because their government kicks against it.

[Lida93]

Does it mean the government of Indonesia didnt know that Polymarket was also or has some element of gambling or should we call it betting, before they initially allowed the platform to operate in their country? And beside, If Indonesia will ban Polymarket on the ground that the platform is a gambling market disguised as a prediction market, does it mean that gambling is not allowed in Indonesia?

Indonesia is one of those Asian countries with ban on gambling and it's not the type of ban that's limited to it's citizens alone but even to foreigners entering the country.

To your question, government in some cases avoid making rash decisions, it could be that they weren't so sure at first if they could categorise the polymarket as a gambling site because even polymarket doesn't agree to it that they're a gambling site. The Indonesia authority may have done a scrutiny to see how they operate and comparing it to what traditional gambling is, which could have being that they believe there's no difference, so the need to place a ban. Nevertheless, this ban wouldn't completely stop ardent polymarket patronizers since it's a no KYC site they can always access it  without having their identity revealed.

[Smartprofit]

In my country, there's a really good movie about political censorship and authoritarian rule. It's called "To Kill the Dragon." In it, the police boarded up the windows of houses with plywood so people couldn't see what was happening outside. When one of the main characters asked a passerby, "What did you see outside?" the man replied, "These days, everyone decides for themselves what they see!" 🙋

In my opinion, the Polymarket platform is a huge problem for governments. And this isn't just limited to Indonesia. Polymarket is essentially a mirror showing people the truth. Few in power would appreciate this...

In my opinion, in a country where gambling is officially banned and severely punished, making political predictions on a prediction platform is suicide. No VPN will save you from persecution by the political police. As for me, I'd like to live in a world with as few bans and restrictions as possible. For me, both gambling and prediction platforms are completely normal.  And I would like people to be able to gamble freely and bet on political events without fearing for their freedom. 🧖

You have a good point here. However, I myself have been wondering too why Polymarket seems to be getting on the wrong side of the government, judging from the several bans in different countries. One reason which I feel is reasonable enough is that Polymarket doesn't have a limit to what they allow their customers to predict on. Oftentimes, I've seen some very sensitive and confidential topics being open for prediction, which gives some people room to sell out insider information that is very confidential. This is the problem with Polymarket and other prediction sites that do not regulate and limit what they allow the public to make predictions on. To me, it is not entirely about hate from the government, but the tendency for people to give out sensitive information for some profit.

I believe the Bitcoin blockchain is the perfect analogy for what a 22nd-century bureaucracy should look like. 🙋

Complete transparency, complete control, clarity, and precision... What secrets could officials keep from the people? Why would they hide anything from them?

That's why I'm writing about Polymarket being a mirror that reflects the essence of our world. If we live in capitalism, then why can't officials sell the secrets and mysteries they themselves have created? Everyone is free to sell the product of their labor. We're not surprised when a blacksmith sells metal products, are we?

In general, a funny situation arises... Officials simultaneously want and don't want to ban Polymarket. On the one hand, they don't like it, but on the other, they probably consider it the greatest invention of the 21st century, because it perfectly monetizes their activities.💁

[Warkop]

With what I know about the culture and religion there is that, most of the people there muslim. And that's not allowed for all who are in the same religion because that's haram.

So it makes sense for a muslim country to prohibit gambling despite that there's a lot of revenue that they're missing.

They're valuing more the welfare of their people and the importance of their culture and beliefs of their heritage that they need to preserve.

It has already been illegal for a long time, but they recently updated the law because the old one mainly covered physical casinos and was already outdated.

With the growing popularity of online casinos and prediction markets, they probably felt the need to remind people that accessing these platforms is illegal, while also warning those who offer or promote them. From what I understand, both offering and accessing these services may now be treated as criminal offenses under the updated law.

Yes, casinos were legalized during the reign of Ali Sadikin, Governor of Jakarta (1966–1977), who also served as Minister of Sea Transportation (1963–1966) and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs (1964–1966) under President Sukarno.

Despite widespread criticism from the Betawi community and religious leaders, Ali Sadikin continued to allow casinos to operate in central Jakarta. He argued that legalizing casinos in the capital would attract tourists and boost the city's economy at the time. However, while gambling is currently illegal in Indonesia, it is highly contrary to the strong traditions and culture of the region. Although the world has shifted to technology, it is very difficult for the government to block access to gambling. It is no surprise that Indonesia has issued laws that impose penalties on those caught playing or establishing casinos without proper permits.

[cryptoaddictchie]

With the growing popularity of online casinos and prediction markets, they probably felt the need to remind people that accessing these platforms is illegal, while also warning those who offer or promote them. From what I understand, both offering and accessing these services may now be treated as criminal offenses under the updated law.

While its being banned, there are still some of my colleagues even Muslim on Indonesia that still do some of gambling site and even the prediction market. Even the OP is true, it seems some still violates it.

Cause I heard from a colleague of mine whose an Indonesian he still accesing it. Knowing its haram its hard for them to stop what they have been used to. I still remember when we are still working they are using it. Surprisingly until now kek!

[sunsilk]

With what I know about the culture and religion there is that, most of the people there muslim. And that's not allowed for all who are in the same religion because that's haram.

So it makes sense for a muslim country to prohibit gambling despite that there's a lot of revenue that they're missing.

They're valuing more the welfare of their people and the importance of their culture and beliefs of their heritage that they need to preserve.

It has already been illegal for a long time, but they recently updated the law because the old one mainly covered physical casinos and was already outdated.

With the growing popularity of online casinos and prediction markets, they probably felt the need to remind people that accessing these platforms is illegal, while also warning those who offer or promote them. From what I understand, both offering and accessing these services may now be treated as criminal offenses under the updated law.

So that's the law for them and that's very strict. By just accessing means a criminal offense to the people from there.

That's the good rule if they really are strict to the rules about gambling because of the values they have as per religion and culture.

If the other countries who are also very strict with this following, they should do the same but felt bad for the citizens there who have been used to gambling.

[KiaKia]

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) announced the block on Friday, describing Polymarket as an “online gambling site disguised as a prediction market.

Yiu can read about it on https://cointelegraph.com/news/indonesia-blocks-polymarket-bets-presidents-exit

Is there any topic about this? The last I remember was South Korea after I brother India.

I guess more countries will ban Polymarket.

But will people in these countries will not continue to use the site because it has no KYC?

Polymarket isn't the only prediction market available, how are we going to know that these countries that are banning prediction markets don't want anything of such or they only just hate polymarket.

Because it looks like the hate is on polymarket only, if any other prediction platform is been banned in the same way it would have been available on the news already or maybe I am not just aware of that?

Polymarket deserves what is happening to them, polymarket is an example of prediction platform where everything can go wrong.

[Hispo]

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) announced the block on Friday, describing Polymarket as an “online gambling site disguised as a prediction market.

Yiu can read about it on https://cointelegraph.com/news/indonesia-blocks-polymarket-bets-presidents-exit

Is there any topic about this? The last I remember was South Korea after I brother India.

I guess more countries will ban Polymarket.

But will people in these countries will not continue to use the site because it has no KYC?

Polymarket isn't the only prediction market available, how are we going to know that these countries that are banning prediction markets don't want anything of such or they only just hate polymarket.

Because it looks like the hate is on polymarket only, if any other prediction platform is been banned in the same way it would have been available on the news already or maybe I am not just aware of that?

Polymarket deserves what is happening to them, polymarket is an example of prediction platform where everything can go wrong.

Polymarket is getting all this hate and scrunity because it is leading entity on the betting market and prediction markets as we know it, so it makes sense governments who like to keep a close regulation and control over betting and gambling will go after Polymarket first, instead of chasing smaller entities with a neglectable volume (when compared to polymarket).

What I wonder if what Binance is going to do, since they have also started to offer prediction markets together with other financial products on their trading application.
It is less likely though, regulators to ask for a full ban on Binance, due to how relevant it has become as companies and "wallet" within countries who need to face inflation...

[YOSHIE]

I guess more countries will ban Polymarket.

On the one hand, prediction market sites like Polymarket are good, they have betting features that are good for those who want to gamble, unfortunately prediction sites are not changeable, they continue to make bets for top officials/officials/elections and those related to the government, that is their weakness, if they continue to use betting features in general such as sports I think sites like Polymarket are not in trouble.

I think the Indonesian government has done the right thing to block prediction market sites, it is a firm action against gambling sites that make unreasonable bets, such as the president's resignation being an unreasonable bet.

[Fiatless]

While its being banned, there are still some of my colleagues even Muslim on Indonesia that still do some of gambling site and even the prediction market. Even the OP is true, it seems some still violates it.

Cause I heard from a colleague of mine whose an Indonesian he still accesing it. Knowing its haram its hard for them to stop what they have been used to. I still remember when we are still working they are using it. Surprisingly until now kek!

Observing religious laws should be voluntary. Except the country has been Islamised, people shouldn't be forced to stop gambling. There are also non-Muslims in Indonesia, so they should also be considered. I know my Muslim friends who drink alcohol. I know it is forbidden, but its their life and maybe dont see it anything serous. This can also be applied to gambling.

There are many ways to access restricted websites or platform, so I am not suprise that are still accessing Polymarket.

[BRINIRHA]

Gambling in Indonesia is indeed very strict because it is related to culture and religion but in the end this does not make the situation to be hindered just like that because so many corrupt people have even been caught behind the scenes so that even though the ban continues to occur but there is always a way that can be used so that gambling continues to occur.

With what I know about the culture and religion there is that, most of the people there muslim. And that's not allowed for all who are in the same religion because that's haram.

So it makes sense for a muslim country to prohibit gambling despite that there's a lot of revenue that they're missing.

They're valuing more the welfare of their people and the importance of their culture and beliefs of their heritage that they need to preserve.

Nope. The government in Indonesia just wants to show a good image of the matter of culture and religion so that gambling remains banned on the surface but in the end in the application is not all like that.

The fact is that today there are still many officials who are even caught gambling even when there are large meetings that discuss statehood occur. In addition there are still many corrupt who make this a strategic move for personal gain where they work behind the scenes to keep this gambling well done even though on the surface gambling remains illegal.

This will probably always be said as unscrupulous but what I feel now unscrupulous in our country is too much because they not only work individually but in groups and mutual attachment between one institution and another.

[disbil]

Nope. The government in Indonesia just wants to show a good image of the matter of culture and religion so that gambling remains banned on the surface but in the end in the application is not all like that.

The fact is that today there are still many officials who are even caught gambling even when there are large meetings that discuss statehood occur. In addition there are still many corrupt who make this a strategic move for personal gain where they work behind the scenes to keep this gambling well done even though on the surface gambling remains illegal.

This will probably always be said as unscrupulous but what I feel now unscrupulous in our country is too much because they not only work individually but in groups and mutual attachment between one institution and another.

Right, Indonesian government not allow yet about gambling platform website and exactly all kinds of gambling block without any permission yet, have been longer time the Indonesian government block all gambling website as local or foreign platform gambling. I am come from Indonesia but right now the Polymarket website can access easily without using VPN regarding my IP unique or not but since banned after bet on president exit last month without long term not trouble for accessing to Polymarket website.

In my opinion, Polymarket block not regarding the kinds of gambling platform but the defend President reputation after bet on president exit, I believe the government won't their citizen place bet for president exit its make them loss reputation.

[viljy]

Soon it will be easier to name countries where the Polymarket is not blocked... The dumbest thing is that the Polymarket itself implements all these prohibitions, instead of ignoring them, because the country that adopted the ban should block the site, and not the Polymarket itself (since it is subject to another jurisdiction).

Of course, you can interact directly through the blockchain, but why? If there are plenty of alternative prediction markets. So it looks like the blockages will still affect the loss of customers for the Polymarket.

[xenomorfo]

Soon it will be easier to name countries where the Polymarket is not blocked... The dumbest thing is that the Polymarket itself implements all these prohibitions, instead of ignoring them, because the country that adopted the ban should block the site, and not the Polymarket itself (since it is subject to another jurisdiction).

Of course, you can interact directly through the blockchain, but why? If there are plenty of alternative prediction markets. So it looks like the blockages will still affect the loss of customers for the Polymarket.

true and they are good, i myself have written a lot of times that i advise you not to use it, it is now rigged
Only people write to us who illegally know in advance how it will end in order to make money
This is not a healthy way to play or have fun, stay away from it.

[Furious 7]

-snip-

This is in the end what happened with gambling sites because the ban that occurred was not followed by firm and thorough action because there were still a lot of corrupt officials so a few days in ban in the end everything went back to running including Polymarket because now I can easily access it even though it was previously in ban and its category became gambling not a prediction market.

LOL, yeah, just guess how many Komdigi employees are active on Polymarket, that’s why they made it so easy to access again. Because before, when I tried to open Polymarket, there was a warning not to visit the site because it was blocked, but now it’s so easy to access. I think they slipped "polymarket" in when they unblocked Reddit, so it's accessible again now without any issues 

Looks like we live in the same country full of chaos because of corrupt officials lol.

This will happen sooner or later because looking at the movements of the current government everything is clear, they will still say that gambling is something illegal in order to have a good image because it continues to eradicate gambling sites but the ban does not always happen because within a certain period of time in the end the ban and block the site will be left alone so as to make gambling sites open again.
This is a scheme that is always going to be controversial the purpose is to show that they continue to work but on the one hand they also benefit from restoring the gambling site (behind the scenes) so that they can get personal benefits from it.