Romania Blacklists Polymarket for Unlicensed Crypto Gambling Operations

Romania's National Gambling Office (ONJN) has blacklisted prediction-market platform Polymarket, citing unlicensed operations. The October 31 decision underscores the country's strict stance on unregulated gambling—whether in fiat or crypto. ONJN classified Polymarket's contracts as counterparty bets, subject to existing gambling laws.

Globally, Polymarket faces mounting regulatory pressure. Belgium recently declared the platform illegal, while France ordered user restrictions. The company previously exited the U.S. market after regulatory actions. Romanian authorities emphasized that blockchain-based wagering doesn't exempt operators from compliance.

The crackdown coincides with increased election-related activity on prediction markets. Officials reaffirmed that all betting systems—traditional or crypto-native—require ONJN licensing. This MOVE reflects broader tensions between decentralized platforms and national regulatory frameworks.