Where Is Polymarket Available? Supported & Restricted Countries Explained

Polymarket's global availability is one of the most frequently asked questions by new users. Understanding where you can legally access Polymarket is crucial before creating an account or depositing funds.

🎉 Major Update (November 2025): Polymarket is now fully available in the United States with CFTC regulatory approval! After acquiring CFTC-licensed exchange QCX LLC, U.S. users can now legally trade on the platform.

⚠️ Important Geographic Restrictions:

• Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, UK are blocked
• Asia-Pacific: Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, China are blocked (Singapore blocked January 2025)
• Canada: Ontario province only (other provinces available)

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

Quick Answer: Is Polymarket Available in My Country?

Polymarket is available in many countries worldwide, but with important restrictions:

✅ Major Markets Available:

• 🇺🇸 United States - NOW AVAILABLE! CFTC-approved since November 2025
• 🇨🇦 Canada (except Ontario province)
• 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇳🇱 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.

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.

Quick Reference: All Blocked Countries & Regions

The following countries/regions CANNOT access Polymarket:

| 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 |

---

Complete List of Restricted Countries & Regions (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

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

Important: These restrictions are enforced through IP-based geoblocking. More EU countries may be added to this list as national gambling regulators review prediction market platforms.

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

Complete List of Supported Countries (100+ Jurisdictions)

⚠️ Important Notice: The lists below reflect known geoblocking as of January 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	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇮🇪 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	✅ Available	No restrictions
🇷🇴 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	✅ Available	Popular market
🇨🇭 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

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

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

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)
• ✅ Most EU countries (Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, 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 January 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.

---