India blocks access to Polymarket amid prediction markets crackdown

Users in India have lost access to Polymarket after government authorities moved to restrict entry to prediction market platforms classified as prohibited online money gaming services under local law.

The decentralized prediction market's website now displays the message, "This site can’t be reached. Check if there is a typo in polymarket.com." Refreshing the page does not restore access.

The access restriction follows an April 25 advisory issued by India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to virtual private network (VPN) providers. The advisory stated that local users continued to access "illegal and blocked prediction market and online betting platforms" despite "domestic prohibitions."

Under the directive, internet service providers were instructed to block access to prediction market websites, with Polymarket among the platforms identified for enforcement action. Kalshi, a prediction market regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is reportedly set to be targeted next.

Local media reports citing an unnamed MeitY source said the ministry has "already issued a blocking order to Polymarket and is in the process of issuing an order to Kalshi as soon as Friday."

Regulatory classification drives restrictions

Prediction markets allow users to place real-money wagers on the outcomes of binary events, including elections, referendums, financial market movements, and other future developments.

The sector attracted significant public attention during the 2024 US presidential election, when prediction markets became widely used for trading and hedging positions tied to political outcomes.

Indian authorities, however, categorize participation on these platforms as online money gaming. Under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, such activities fall within a prohibited category.

Earlier this month, Yogonet held an exclusive interview with Vidushpat Singhania, Managing Partner at Krida Legal, on how India's new regulatory framework reshapes classification, compliance, and operational standards for gaming companies. Revisit it here.