Румыния закрывает доступ к Polymarket из-за нелицензионной деятельности Translation: Romania blocks access to Polymarket due to unlicensed activities

The Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN) has blacklisted the platform Polymarket, deeming its operations unauthorized.

The regulatory body has mandated internet service providers in the country to restrict access to the site. This decision comes in light of a surge in cryptocurrency betting during the national elections. According to the ONJN, trading volume on Polymarket exceeded $600 million.

The agency described the platform’s operations as “counter bets,” where users wager against each other. The regulator asserts that this model constitutes gambling regardless of blockchain usage.

«This is about the law, not the technology,» stated head of the agency Vlad-Christian Soare.

He believes that betting in either cryptocurrency or fiat is still considered gambling and requires a license.

The ONJN expressed particular concern regarding the platform’s activity during local elections, with trading volumes in the market for the mayoral race in Bucharest exceeding $16 million.

The agency also noted the absence of fiscal reporting, player protection mechanisms, and AML procedures from Polymarket.

Romania is not the first country to restrict access to Polymarket. In 2022, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fined the platform for operating without registration.

In 2024, the French regulator announced an investigation into the prediction market and its compliance with the country’s gambling laws.

In 2025, the CEO of the platform, Shane Coplan, confirmed media reports about the closure of the investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

It’s worth noting that in July, Polymarket acquired the derivatives exchange QCEX, which is licensed by the CFTC. This transaction «marks a significant step» in expanding access for users from the U.S.