In this guide
Key takeaway: Polymarket is unavailable in the United States, France, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and several other sanctioned or restricted territories. Most of Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia can access the platform — but local gambling or financial regulations may still apply.
A frequent inquiry among prospective market participants centres on this query: Does Polymarket operate in my jurisdiction? The resolution hinges upon both Polymarket's own territorial limitations and the regulatory framework governing gambling and financial services in your region.
Officially Blocked Countries
Polymarket enforces access restrictions (through IP geolocation and identity verification protocols) in these jurisdictions:
- United States — restricted following the 2022 CFTC settlement
- France — restricted owing to Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) regulatory concerns
- Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria — territories subject to OFAC sanctions
- Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk — sanctioned regions
- Myanmar, Belarus — supplementary prohibitions in place
Countries with Partial Access
Certain jurisdictions permit Polymarket access yet enforce their own domestic constraints:
| Country | Access | Local Restriction |
| UK | Yes | FCA may classify as regulated activity |
| Germany | Yes | GlüStV gambling treaty applies |
| Canada | Yes | Provincial gaming rules vary |
| Australia | Limited | Interactive Gambling Act restrictions |
| India | Yes | State-level gambling laws vary |
| Japan | Yes (not blocked) | Gambling Code may prohibit participation |
Countries Where Polymarket Works Without Major Issues
Traders across the following regions typically enjoy unrestricted access: remaining EU member states (France excepted), Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
What About VPNs?
Certain American traders attempt to circumvent restrictions through virtual private networks. This strategy presents substantial hazards: Polymarket's identity-verification requirements mandate official documentation, and submitting a US passport or state driver's licence whilst routing traffic through a VPN creates a regulatory inconsistency. Polymarket maintains authority to restrict account activity should VPN deployment be identified during identity recertification procedures.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram replicates Polymarket's order-book depth and delivers a tailored experience with regulatory transparency and efficient fund-redemption mechanisms. Start trading on PolyGram →