Romania Blacklists Polymarket, Orders ISPs to Block Access Over Unlicensed Gambling

Overview

• Romania’s National Office for Gambling said Polymarket fits the legal definition of counterparty betting rather than event trading and therefore requires a gambling license.
• The regulator reported that more than $600 million flowed through election-related markets in Romania, intensifying scrutiny during the country’s presidential and local votes.
• ONJN ordered internet service providers to block the site after adding Polymarket to its list of unauthorized operators.
• Authorities criticized the platform for lacking required anti‑money‑laundering controls, player‑protection systems, and Romanian tax reporting.
• Even as Romania restricts access, Polymarket pursues a U.S. return via an acquired exchange that received a CFTC no‑action letter, with media reporting a limited, sports‑focused relaunch by late November and a recent $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange.