ONJN has included Polymarket on the blacklist for conducting gambling activities without a license in Romania, in the context of increasing its activity during the election period for the Capital City Hall.

The National Office for Gambling (ONJN) decided, in the meeting on October 29, to include the Polymarket platform on the blacklist of operators conducting gambling activities without a license in Romania. This measure was taken following a significant increase in the platform's activity, especially during the election period, when transactions exceeded 600 million dollars. ONJN emphasizes that, although Polymarket presents itself as an 'event trading' platform, its activity actually corresponds to the definition of gambling, having all the necessary elements to be considered a form of betting.

The institution warns that presenting these activities as 'trading' allows for the circumvention of legal regulations, exposing users and the state to risks. Polymarket has also been banned in other countries, including the United States, where it was required to pay penalties for conducting unauthorized activities. According to Romanian legislation, participation in unlicensed gambling is an offense, and ONJN reaffirms that only licensed operators can organize such activities. The updated list of unauthorized sites will be sent to internet providers to block access for users in Romania.