So what this article says is that Polymarket has been to the Polish Ministry of Finance blocked domain list. They block domains that are not officially registered and approved by the government.

Here's what you will see when you try to open Polymarket from Poland: https://www.finanse.mf.gov.pl/inne-podatki/podatek-od-gier-gry-hazardowe/komunikat

Apparently even participating in illegal gambling is a crime, and there are big fines you can get.

Not a fan of this law to say the least.

Here's what you will see when you try to open Polymarket from Poland: https://www.finanse.mf.gov.pl/inne-podatki/podatek-od-gier-gry-hazardowe/komunikat

Wait so they're like actually blocking the domain? They're blocking people from accessing the website? That's wildly inappropriate!

(Translated by Google Translate from Polish to English)

Participation in foreign gambling [1] or in a gambling game organized or conducted contrary to the provisions of the Gambling Act or the terms of the license or permit [2], is subject to a fine of up to 120 daily rates [3].

A participant in illegally organized gambling is also subject to a financial penalty [4] in height 100% of the winnings obtained without reducing the rates paid [5].

So this talks primarily about using Polymarket to gamble. IMO it's fine for the Polish government to have a narrow position on gambling. But Polymarket is useful way beyond just engaging in the site by gambling with your money!

For example, I only once used the site to "gamble" by betting money. I have, however, used the site many times to get information about world events. It's super useful to "interpret the news." This is a misuse of force in my opinion.

It's crazy to think that a European government would just outright domain block this. The EU proudly upholds its civil rights and EU politicians talk about "bringing the US back to a rules based order," but isn't this just plain censorship.

Lastly, I think we really have to demand from politicians that they apply law non-paternalistic unless explicitly demanded. E.g., if philosophically Polish people want to ban gambling, then why ban websites? Why not criminalize the act of participating in gambling so that it remands an individual choice to comply?

Wait so they're like actually blocking the domain? They're blocking people from accessing the website? That's wildly inappropriate!

Exactly! A few weeks ago whenever I tried to open the Polymarket website, it just loaded forever. Someone told me it could be because they have tons of traffic, but then I opened it with a different browser and saw this information.

So this talks primarily about using Polymarket to gamble. IMO it's fine for the Polish government to have a narrow position on gambling. But Polymarket is useful way beyond just engaging in the site by gambling with your money!

100%, I never made a bet on Polymarket and checked the website 50+ times at least. They should just ask ISP to inform you that using the website to gamble is illegal, but you are free to check it.

BTW this strong anti-gambling rule has been around for years but I don't think it has support among people. It's there because our government wants a monopoly on lotteries where they made billions per year plus we had some problems 10+ yrs ago with money laundering via gambling, but I don't think it's the case anymore as it's easy to launder money via different channels.