The Polymarket ban was announced on 22 October 2025 by Italy ’s Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), prompting ISPs to begin blocking access as the platform considers an appeal.
Why did ADM ban Polymarket in Italy?
Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) is the Italy’s authority that regulates online gambling and maintains an official blocked domains registry.
Listing a domain imposes obligations on ISPs under national rules and the relevant decree (Decreto Direttoriale n. 2011/30053/Giochi/UD), which ADM cites when ordering technical inibitions. See our background on ADM enforcement for context: ADM regulation overview.
What is Polymarket as a prediction market blockchain platform?
Polymarket is a crypto-based prediction market where users trade on event outcomes using tokens. The platform faced enforcement attention abroad, including a 2022 action by the CFTC in the United States (CFTC press releases), which previously forced limits on US user access. Read our earlier coverage of the incident: Polymarket past coverage.
Will ISPs enforce the adm blocked domains list and how fast? In brief:
Italian ISPs have begun implementing domain blocks after ADM included Polymarket on its registry; rollout depends on carrier procedures and can take hours or several days. Technical filtering prevents direct access from Italian IPs but does not change on‑chain contract code.
In brief, users should expect immediate access restrictions in Italy while legal and administrative challenges proceed.
Can Polymarket appeal the decision and what legal paths exist?
Under Italian procedure, Polymarket has 60 days to lodge an administrative appeal against an ADM listing and may seek judicial review thereafter.
Cross‑border legal arguments are possible but complex; platforms typically combine legal defence with technical mitigations such as geofencing and temporary market freezes to limit exposure. For legal analysis, see: Italian gambling law explainer.
The CFTC has reiterated its enforcement posture, noting that “we continue to take action to protect U.S. customers from unlawful trading activity” (CFTC press releases).
Note: appeals can be lengthy and outcomes uncertain; companies often propose compliance fixes to avoid prolonged bans.
What polymarket alternative platforms can Italian users consider?
After blocks, some users look to smaller prediction markets or decentralized protocols, but regulatory status varies widely. Consider platform registration, custody arrangements and withdrawal limits before depositing funds; reliance on unregulated venues increases counterparty and legal risk. For alternatives and risks, see our DeFi guide: blockchain decentralization and DeFi.