Where Is Polymarket Legal? Countries That Allow and Block Access

Polymarket is legal in 100+ countries as of May 2026, including the United States (CFTC-regulated since November 2025), Japan, South Korea, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, India, and the Netherlands. Roughly 14 countries are blocked: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, China, Portugal, Hungary, and Ontario in Canada. Full country-by-country list below.

🎉 Update — November 2025: Polymarket is fully available in the United States with CFTC regulatory approval after acquiring CFTC-licensed exchange QCX LLC. U.S. residents can legally trade in all 50 states.

⚠️ New Bans in 2026:

• Portugal — SRIJ gambling regulator ordered shutdown in January 2026
• Hungary — Nationwide block in January 2026
• France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, UK — Blocked under national gambling laws
• Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, China — Blocked across Asia-Pacific
• Canada (Ontario only) — Provincial gambling restrictions

Always verify current availability at docs.polymarket.com before attempting to access the platform.

Quick Answer: Is Polymarket Available & Legal in My Country?

Polymarket is available in many countries worldwide, but with important restrictions. Below is the full list of Polymarket restricted countries, banned regions, and supported jurisdictions as of August 2026:

✅ Major Markets Available:

• 🇺🇸 United States - NOW AVAILABLE! CFTC-approved since November 2025
• 🇨🇦 Canada (except Ontario province)
• 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
• 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, 🇮🇳 India
• Most Latin American countries
• 100+ countries worldwide

❌ Restricted Countries:

• 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇵🇱 Poland - Blocked (EU gambling regulations)
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom - Blocked (gambling regulations)
• 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇼 Taiwan, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇦🇺 Australia - Blocked (Asia-Pacific gambling regulations)
• 🇨🇳 China - Website inaccessible (Great Firewall)
• 🇨🇦 Canada (Ontario only) - Provincial gambling restrictions
• OFAC Sanctioned Countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia)
• Other specific jurisdictions with regulatory restrictions

⚠️ Important: Geographic restrictions change frequently due to regulatory requirements. Always check Polymarket's official documentation for the most current information.

Polymarket Terms of Service: Restricted & Prohibited Jurisdictions

According to Polymarket's Terms of Service, users from certain jurisdictions are explicitly prohibited from using the platform. These are referred to as "restricted jurisdictions" or "prohibited jurisdictions" in the ToS.

Key points from Polymarket's Terms of Service:

1. Prohibited Jurisdictions: Users located in, incorporated in, or citizens of OFAC-sanctioned countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia) and specific regions (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk) are strictly prohibited.
2. Geo-Blocked Countries: Countries where Polymarket has implemented IP-based blocking due to local gambling or securities regulations — including France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, and China.
3. User Responsibility: The ToS places the burden on users to ensure they are legally permitted to use the platform under their local laws.
4. VPN Prohibition: Using VPNs or other tools to circumvent geographic restrictions is a violation of the Terms of Service and may result in account suspension.

For the official and most current ToS, visit Polymarket's website directly.

How Polymarket Determines Geographic Restrictions

Polymarket implements IP-based geo-blocking to comply with regulatory requirements:

1. IP Address Detection: When you access the platform, your IP address is checked against restricted regions.
2. Automatic Blocking: Users from restricted countries cannot access the trading interface.
3. Terms of Service: Circumventing these restrictions violates Polymarket's ToS.

Polymarket Restricted Countries List 2026: All Blocked & Banned Countries

The following countries/regions CANNOT access Polymarket (updated August 2026):

| Region | Blocked Countries/Areas | Reason | |--------|------------------------|--------| | 🇪🇺 Europe | France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, United Kingdom | National gambling regulations | | 🌏 Asia-Pacific | Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, China | Gambling laws & regulations | | 🇨🇦 Canada | Ontario province only | Provincial gambling restrictions | | 🌍 OFAC Sanctions | Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, Crimea | U.S. sanctions compliance |

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Complete List of Polymarket Banned & Restricted Countries (Detailed)

1. United States (USA) - NOW AVAILABLE ✅

Status: ✅ Fully Available and CFTC-Regulated (as of November 2025)

Major Update: Polymarket has successfully returned to the U.S. market with full regulatory approval!

Timeline:

• July 2025: Polymarket acquired QCX LLC, a CFTC-registered derivatives exchange, for $112 million
• November 2025: Received CFTC's revised Designated Contract Market (DCM) license, authorizing regulated operations in the U.S.

What Changed:

• ✅ Full CFTC compliance achieved through QCX acquisition
• ✅ Polymarket now operates as a regulated exchange in the United States
• ✅ U.S. residents can legally trade on Polymarket in all 50 states
• ✅ No VPN needed - direct access for U.S. users

What U.S. Users Can Now Do:

• ✅ Create accounts and verify identity (KYC required)
• ✅ Deposit funds (USDC via blockchain)
• ✅ Trade on all available prediction markets
• ✅ Withdraw winnings
• ✅ Full platform access with regulatory protections

Regulatory Framework:

• Licensed and overseen by the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission)
• Subject to U.S. anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements
• Operates under Designated Contract Market regulations

Why Does Polymarket Need Your SSN?

U.S. users completing identity verification are asked to provide a Social Security Number. This is a federal compliance requirement, not unique to Polymarket.

The reason: As a CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market, Polymarket must verify the identity of all U.S. customers under federal anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) rules. SSN is the standard identity method for U.S. residents — the same requirement applies to every regulated U.S. exchange.

Is it safe? Entering your SSN through the official KYC flow on polymarket.com is standard for regulated U.S. financial platforms. Never enter your SSN via a link in an email, SMS, or any site other than the official polymarket.com URL.

Non-U.S. users are not asked for an SSN. For other accepted identity documents, see Polymarket KYC & Verification.

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2. OFAC Sanctioned Countries

Status: ❌ Fully Restricted

The following countries are sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). As a U.S.-based regulated platform, Polymarket must comply with these sanctions:

Country	Reason	Status
Cuba	U.S. Embargo	❌ Blocked
Iran	OFAC Sanctions	❌ Blocked
North Korea	OFAC Sanctions	❌ Blocked
Syria	OFAC Sanctions	❌ Blocked
Russia	Ukraine-related Sanctions (2022+)	❌ Blocked
Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk	Disputed territories	❌ Blocked

3. Restricted European Union Countries

Status: ❌ Fully Restricted

Several EU countries have blocked Polymarket due to national gambling regulations:

Country	Reason	Status
France 🇫🇷	ANJ (gambling regulator) blocked access in November 2024	❌ Blocked
Germany 🇩🇪	National gambling regulations	❌ Blocked
Italy 🇮🇹	National gambling regulations	❌ Blocked
Belgium 🇧🇪	National gambling regulations	❌ Blocked
Poland 🇵🇱	National gambling regulations	❌ Blocked
Portugal 🇵🇹	SRIJ gambling regulator ordered shutdown (January 2026)	❌ Blocked
Hungary 🇭🇺	Nationwide block under gambling law (January 2026)	❌ Blocked

Important: These restrictions are enforced through IP-based geoblocking. Portugal and Hungary joined the list in January 2026, and more EU countries may follow as MiCA enforcement ramps up in July 2026.

4. Restricted Asia-Pacific Countries

Status: ❌ Fully Restricted

Several Asia-Pacific countries have blocked or restricted Polymarket due to gambling regulations:

Country	Reason	Status
Singapore 🇸🇬	GRA (Gambling Regulatory Authority) blocked access in January 2025	❌ Blocked
Taiwan 🇹🇼	Gambling regulations - IP-based blocking	❌ Blocked
Thailand 🇹🇭	Gambling laws and cryptocurrency restrictions	❌ Blocked
Australia 🇦🇺	National gambling regulations	❌ Blocked
China 🇨🇳	Great Firewall - Website inaccessible	❌ Blocked

Recent Developments:

• Singapore: Blocked by GRA in January 2025. Violations can result in fines up to SGD $10,000 or 6 months imprisonment.
• Taiwan: Actively enforces IP-based geoblocking.
• Thailand: Technology Crime Suppression Division announced blocking in January 2025.

5. Other Restricted Regions

United Kingdom 🇬🇧: Based on reports, UK IPs may also be geoblocked due to gambling regulations.

Canada 🇨🇦: While most of Canada can access Polymarket, Ontario province specifically is restricted due to provincial gambling laws.

6. Other Potentially Restricted Regions

Some jurisdictions may have partial or temporary restrictions:

• Afghanistan - Limited access due to sanctions
• Belarus - Sanctions-related restrictions
• Venezuela - Certain sanctioned entities
• Myanmar - Ongoing sanctions

Polymarket Allowed Countries List 2026 (100+ Jurisdictions)

⚠️ Important Notice: The lists below reflect known geoblocking as of August 2026. However, many popular markets are now blocked, including:

• All of Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, China
• UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland
• Ontario, Canada

If you're in any of these regions, you will not be able to trade on Polymarket.

Europe (Partially Supported - Many Countries Blocked)

Available European Union Countries (Some EU countries are restricted - see section 3 above):

Country	Status	Notes
🇦🇹 Austria	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇧🇬 Bulgaria	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇭🇷 Croatia	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇨🇾 Cyprus	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇨🇿 Czech Republic	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇩🇰 Denmark	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇪🇪 Estonia	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇫🇮 Finland	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇬🇷 Greece	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇭🇺 Hungary	❌ Blocked	Gambling regulations (January 2026)
🇮🇪 Ireland	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇱🇻 Latvia	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇱🇹 Lithuania	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇱🇺 Luxembourg	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇲🇹 Malta	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇳🇱 Netherlands	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇵🇹 Portugal	❌ Blocked	SRIJ gambling regulator ordered shutdown (January 2026)
🇷🇴 Romania	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇸🇰 Slovakia	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇸🇮 Slovenia	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇪🇸 Spain	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇸🇪 Sweden	✅ Available	No restrictions

Non-EU European Countries:

Country	Status	Notes
🇬🇧 United Kingdom	❌ Blocked	Gambling regulations
🇨🇭 Switzerland	✅ Available	Crypto-friendly
🇳🇴 Norway	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇮🇸 Iceland	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇷🇸 Serbia	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇺🇦 Ukraine	✅ Available	High activity
🇹🇷 Turkey	✅ Available	Growing market
🇦🇱 Albania	✅ Available	No restrictions

Which EU countries still allow Polymarket? Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Greece, Czech Republic, Romania, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Malta, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, and Cyprus all remain accessible as of September 2026. France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Poland are blocked under national gambling laws. Outside the EU, Norway and Switzerland have no restrictions; the UK is blocked.

Asia & Pacific (Partially Supported - Many Countries Restricted)

Country	Status	Trading Activity
🇯🇵 Japan	✅ Available	High activity
🇰🇷 South Korea	✅ Available	High activity
🇭🇰 Hong Kong	✅ Available	Active market
🇻🇳 Vietnam	✅ Available	Growing
🇵🇭 Philippines	✅ Available	Active
🇮🇩 Indonesia	✅ Available	Growing
🇲🇾 Malaysia	✅ Available	Active
🇮🇳 India	✅ Available	Very active
🇵🇰 Pakistan	✅ Available	Growing
🇧🇩 Bangladesh	✅ Available	Active
🇳🇿 New Zealand	✅ Available	Active

Americas (Including USA)

Country	Status	Notes
🇺🇸 United States	✅ Available	CFTC-regulated (since Nov 2025)
🇨🇦 Canada	⚠️ Mostly Available	All provinces except Ontario (blocked)
🇲🇽 Mexico	✅ Available	Growing rapidly
🇧🇷 Brazil	✅ Available	High activity
🇦🇷 Argentina	✅ Available	Very active (crypto adoption)
🇨🇱 Chile	✅ Available	Active
🇨🇴 Colombia	✅ Available	Growing
🇵🇪 Peru	✅ Available	Active
🇺🇾 Uruguay	✅ Available	Growing
🇪🇨 Ecuador	✅ Available	Active
🇨🇷 Costa Rica	✅ Available	Popular

Middle East & Africa

Country	Status	Notes
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates	✅ Available	Popular (Dubai)
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia	✅ Available	Growing
🇮🇱 Israel	✅ Available	Active tech market
🇪🇬 Egypt	✅ Available	Growing
🇿🇦 South Africa	✅ Available	High activity
🇳🇬 Nigeria	✅ Available	Very active
🇰🇪 Kenya	✅ Available	Growing

Country-by-Country Guides: Check Your Specific Country

Below are detailed guides for 64 countries. Each covers current availability, local payment methods, tax treatment, and step-by-step access.

Available — full guides:

Argentina · Austria · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Brazil · Bulgaria · Canada · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Croatia · Czech Republic · Denmark · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · Egypt · Finland · Ghana · Greece · Hong Kong · Hungary · India · Indonesia · Ireland · Israel · Japan · Kenya · Kuwait · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Morocco · Netherlands · New Zealand · Nigeria · Norway · Pakistan · Peru · Philippines · Portugal · Qatar · Romania · Saudi Arabia · South Africa · South Korea · Spain · Sri Lanka · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey · United Arab Emirates · United States · Vietnam

Blocked or restricted — what your options are:

Australia · Belgium · France · Germany · Italy · Poland · Russia · Singapore · Thailand · United Kingdom · Venezuela

Can You Use a VPN to Access Polymarket?

The Reality

Many users from restricted countries use VPNs to access Polymarket. However:

❌ Officially: Using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions violates Polymarket's Terms of Service.

⚠️ Risks:

1. Account Suspension: Polymarket can freeze or restrict accounts detected using VPNs from blocked regions.
2. Fund Lock: In extreme cases, funds could be locked pending investigation.
3. Legal Risk:
   • EU users (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland): May violate national gambling laws
   • OFAC-sanctioned countries: Serious legal consequences possible
4. No Support: If you encounter issues while using a VPN, Polymarket support will not assist you.

Note for U.S. Users: VPNs are no longer needed! U.S. users can now access Polymarket directly and legally since November 2025.

If You Choose to Use a VPN

Disclaimer: We do not recommend violating Polymarket's ToS. This information is educational only.

Tips for VPN users (at your own risk):

• Use a premium VPN with residential IPs (avoid data center IPs)
• Choose a consistent location (don't switch countries)
• Clear browser cookies before connecting
• Use private/incognito mode
• Be aware that on-chain activity can still be traced

Detection Methods

Polymarket uses multiple methods to detect VPN usage:

• IP address reputation databases
• Browser fingerprinting
• Time zone mismatches
• Payment method location checks

How to Check If Polymarket Is Available in Your Country

Method 1: Official Website Test

1. Visit polymarket.com from your regular internet connection
2. If you see the trading interface, you're in a supported region
3. If you see a "service unavailable" message, you're restricted

Method 2: Check Your IP Location

Use a tool like whatismyipaddress.com to verify your IP shows a supported country.

Method 3: Contact Polymarket Support

For ambiguous cases, email support@polymarket.com with your country.

Why These Restrictions Exist

Regulatory Compliance

1. U.S. Regulatory Success: After a 2022 CFTC settlement that temporarily blocked U.S. users, Polymarket successfully acquired CFTC-licensed exchange QCX LLC in July 2025 and received full DCM (Designated Contract Market) approval in November 2025. U.S. users can now trade legally under CFTC oversight.

2. EU Gambling Regulations: Several EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland) have national gambling laws that prohibit unlicensed prediction market platforms. France's ANJ (National Gambling Authority) specifically ordered geoblocking in November 2024.

3. OFAC Sanctions: Companies must comply with OFAC sanctions, which prohibit transactions with certain countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia).

4. Licensing Requirements: Each jurisdiction has different requirements for prediction markets and financial derivatives. Polymarket's CFTC license in the U.S. represents a major regulatory milestone for the prediction market industry.

Recent Changes (2024-2025)

Major Milestones:

• ✅ U.S. Re-Launch (November 2025): Full CFTC approval granted, U.S. trading now available
• ✅ QCX Acquisition (July 2025): $112M purchase of CFTC-licensed exchange
• ❌ Singapore Blocked (January 2025): GRA gambling regulator ordered geoblocking
• ❌ Thailand Blocking (January 2025): Technology Crime Suppression Division announced restrictions
• ❌ France Blocked (November 2024): ANJ gambling regulator ordered geoblocking
• ❌ Taiwan Blocked: IP-based geoblocking enforced
• ❌ Australia Blocked: National gambling regulations enforcement
• ⚠️ Several EU countries (Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, UK) enforce gambling license requirements
• Ongoing regulatory discussions in multiple jurisdictions

Future Expansion

Polymarket's availability may change based on:

• Obtaining gambling/betting licenses in restricted countries
• Regulatory frameworks evolving for prediction markets
• Changes in international sanctions policy
• Court decisions or regulatory challenges

⚠️ Always verify current availability by checking Polymarket's official documentation before attempting to access the platform.

What If You're Traveling?

Temporary Travel to Restricted Countries

If you're a user from a supported country but traveling to a restricted country:

• Your account status doesn't change based on your physical location
• However, IP-based blocking will prevent access while you're in that country
• Solution: Most travelers use VPNs to maintain access (technically against ToS)

Moving Permanently

If you move from a supported to a restricted country:

• Your existing positions remain accessible (via blockchain)
• You cannot place new trades from the restricted location
• Consider closing positions before moving

Is Polymarket Legal in My Country? (FAQ by Country)

Here are quick answers for the most commonly searched countries:

Is Polymarket Legal in Hong Kong?

Yes. Polymarket is available and accessible in Hong Kong. There are currently no geo-restrictions for Hong Kong users.

Is Polymarket Legal in Spain?

Yes. Polymarket is available in Spain. Unlike France, Germany, and Italy, Spain has not blocked access to the platform.

Is Polymarket Legal in Turkey?

Yes. Polymarket is accessible from Turkey with no current restrictions.

Is Polymarket Legal in Japan?

Yes. Polymarket is available in Japan, though Japanese financial regulations around prediction markets may evolve.

Is Polymarket Legal in Denmark?

Yes. Denmark has not blocked Polymarket. The platform is accessible without restrictions.

Is Polymarket Legal in Norway?

Yes. Polymarket is available in Norway with no geo-blocking. Norwegian users can access the platform directly, deposit USDC on Polygon, and trade without additional restrictions. For local tax treatment and regulatory context, see the Norway country guide.

Is Polymarket Legal in Finland?

Yes. Finnish users can access Polymarket without restrictions.

Is Polymarket Legal in Indonesia?

Yes. Polymarket is currently accessible in Indonesia, though regulations around crypto and gambling vary.

Is Polymarket Legal in Czech Republic?

Yes. Czech Republic users can access Polymarket without restrictions.

Is Polymarket Legal in Greece?

Yes. Polymarket is available in Greece with no current blocks.

Is Polymarket Legal in Ireland?

Yes. Ireland has not implemented any restrictions on Polymarket access.

Is Polymarket Legal in South Africa?

Yes. Polymarket is available in South Africa.

Is Polymarket Legal in Nigeria?

Yes. Nigerian users can access Polymarket without restrictions.

Is Polymarket Legal in Pakistan?

Yes. Polymarket is currently accessible from Pakistan.

Is Polymarket Legal in Mexico?

Yes. Polymarket is fully available in Mexico with growing user activity.

Is Polymarket Legal in Malta?

Yes. Malta, known for its crypto-friendly regulations, has no restrictions on Polymarket.

⚠️ Note: "Legal" in this context means Polymarket is accessible and not geo-blocked. Users should still verify compliance with their local laws regarding prediction markets and cryptocurrency.

Alternatives If Polymarket Is Unavailable

If Polymarket is restricted in your country (mainly OFAC-sanctioned countries), consider these alternatives:

For All Users:

• Kalshi - CFTC-regulated prediction market (U.S. and international)
• PredictIt - Limited to $850 per market (U.S. focused)
• Manifold Markets - Play-money prediction market

International Users in Restricted Countries:

• Azuro - Decentralized sports betting
• Gnosis Prediction Markets - Ethereum-based
• Augur - Decentralized oracle-based predictions

Summary

Polymarket is available in 100+ countries, including the United States, but with significant restrictions in many regions:

✅ Available Countries:

• ✅ United States (all 50 states) - CFTC-regulated since November 2025
• ✅ Canada (except Ontario province)
• ✅ Several EU countries (Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, etc.)
• ✅ Some Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia)
• ✅ Most of Latin America, Africa
• ✅ New Zealand

❌ Restricted/Blocked Countries:

• ❌ Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, United Kingdom - Gambling regulations
• ❌ Asia-Pacific: Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, China - Gambling regulations & firewall
• ❌ Canada: Ontario province only (other provinces available)
• ❌ OFAC-sanctioned: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia

Key Takeaways:

1. 🎉 U.S. Trading Now Legal: After acquiring CFTC-licensed exchange QCX in July 2025 and receiving DCM approval in November 2025, Polymarket operates as a fully regulated platform in the United States
2. 🚫 Major Asia-Pacific Markets Blocked: Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Australia have all implemented geoblocking due to gambling regulations (Singapore blocked January 2025)
3. 🇪🇺 Multiple EU Countries Restricted: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, and UK are blocked due to national gambling laws
4. 🇨🇦 Canada Partially Available: All provinces accessible except Ontario
5. Geographic restrictions are actively enforced through IP-based geoblocking
6. VPN usage to bypass restrictions violates Terms of Service and may violate local laws
7. Always check official sources: Visit docs.polymarket.com for current restrictions

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: Geographic restrictions change frequently due to regulatory developments. This information was accurate as of August 2026, but always verify current availability through Polymarket's official channels before attempting to access the platform.

Always ensure you're complying with both Polymarket's Terms of Service and your local jurisdiction's laws before trading.

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