{
  "id": 1880509,
  "title": "Korea moves to block Polymarket over illegal gambling",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/korea-moves-to-block-polymarket-over-illegal-gambling",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-19T06:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260819/korea-moves-to-block-polymarket-over-illegal-gambling"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Korea Media and Communications Standards Commission has mandated internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, an overseas prediction market platform, due to concerns that it promotes gambling. This decision was reached after a review by the commission's telecommunications subcommittee on Tuesday. The subcommittee determined that Polymarket presents information that facilitates gambling or establishes a venue for gambling under the Criminal Act. Additionally, the platform offers information that could encourage activities akin to sports betting under the National Sports Promotion Act. The regulator explained that Polymarket's winner-take-all format fosters gambling behavior, as users may experience substantial variations in financial outcomes based on results beyond their control. Polymarket permits users to trade contracts centered around various subjects such as politics, the economy, international relations, sports, elections, and weather. The commission highlighted domestic issues as examples, including a contract on Seoul's rainfall in August, as proof that the platform contributes to gambling activities.",
  "summary": "The Korea Media and Communications Standards Commission has ordered domestic internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, an overseas prediction market platform, after determining that the service promotes gambling. The commission’s telecommunications review subcommittee made the decision at a meeting Tuesday, concluding that Polymarket contains information intended to facilitate…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korea's Media and Communications Standards Commission ordered blocking of Polymarket.",
    "Commission deemed platform promotes gambling per Criminal Act and National Sports Promotion Act.",
    "Polymarket allows trading contracts on diverse topics including politics and elections."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Korea's move to block Polymarket signifies a stricter enforcement of its gambling laws, targeting online platforms that facilitate or encourage betting activities, and marks a win for the country's anti-gambling regulations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea moves to block Polymarket over illegal gambling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/korea-moves-to-block-polymarket-over-illegal-gambling-1882390",
        "published": "2026-08-19T07:02:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}