The regulatory action comes after transaction volumes on the platform exceeded $600 million during Romania’s presidential elections, with an additional $15 million in trades related to Bucharest’s local elections. The ONJN stated these figures demonstrate a substantial level of unregulated betting activity operating outside fiscal, technical, and integrity controls.
The regulator emphasized that such operations bypass legal obligations required of licensed gambling providers, including player protection measures, anti-money laundering reporting, and payment of taxes and state contributions.
Legal Classification as Gambling
ONJN President Vlad-Cristian Soare clarified the regulatory basis for the decision.
"The decision to include Polymarket on the blacklist is not related to technology, but to the law," Soare said. "Regardless of whether you bet in lei or crypto, if you bet money on a future result, under the conditions of a counterpart bet, we are talking about gambling that must be licensed. ONJN will not allow the transformation of blockchain into a screen for illegal betting."
The regulator determined that while Polymarket presents itself as an "event trading platform" or "prediction market," it meets the legal and functional criteria of a counterparty betting service. Under Romanian law, such operations require prior licensing and supervision by the ONJN.
Regulatory Concerns and Enforcement
The ONJN warned that accepting the characterization of counterparty betting as "trading" would create a dangerous precedent, allowing operators to rebrand gambling activities as financial trading and circumvent strict gambling and capital markets regulations.
Romanian authorities noted the platform lacks essential safeguards including mechanisms for player identity verification, prevention of underage participation, and anti-money laundering controls—all mandatory requirements under national gambling legislation.
Following the blacklist designation, internet service providers across Romania are required to block access to Polymarket’s website and associated services. Users attempting to access the platform will receive warning or redirection notices.
Under Government Emergency Ordinance 77/2009, participation in or promotion of unlicensed gambling constitutes a misdemeanor, exposing both players and promoters to potential fines.
International Regulatory Landscape
Romania becomes the fourth European jurisdiction to take enforcement action against Polymarket, joining Belgium, France, and Poland. France’s National Gaming Authority geo-blocked French users from the platform in 2024, while Belgium’s Kansspelcommissie blacklisted the service in January 2025 after repeated non-compliance with national gambling legislation.
The platform was previously banned from operating in the United States after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) determined it had been conducting unauthorized derivatives trading. Polymarket subsequently blocked US users and paid a $1.4 million settlement in 2022.
Despite these regulatory challenges, Polymarket has continued expanding globally. The company recently acquired QCEX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange, and has stated its intention to relaunch limited trading operations in the US market by late 2025, focusing initially on sports-related contracts.
The platform has also secured significant institutional backing, reportedly receiving a $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the New York Stock Exchange, in late 2025.
Industry Implications
The Romanian ban reflects growing regulatory scrutiny of blockchain-based prediction markets across multiple jurisdictions. Regulators maintain that gambling laws apply regardless of the underlying technology used to facilitate betting activities.
The ONJN’s decision reinforces the position that platforms operating event-based wagering must comply with established gambling frameworks, including obtaining proper licenses, implementing player protection measures, and adhering to financial reporting requirements.
Polymarket did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Romanian regulatory action.
Source: Romanian National Office for Gambling (ONJN)
