In this guide
Key takeaway: Polymarket operates legally across most territories, though it occupies regulatory ambiguity in numerous jurisdictions. American users face restrictions. Verify compliance with gambling and financial regulations in your region before engaging.
Is Polymarket legal? The response varies by location. Because Polymarket functions as a decentralised blockchain-based protocol, no single regulatory authority oversees it — yet national legislation still governs user conduct.
United States — Blocked
US-based individuals and residents cannot use Polymarket. Following a $1.4 million CFTC settlement in 2022 stemming from unlicensed event contract offerings, Polymarket exited the American market and enforces geoblocking on US internet addresses. Circumventing this restriction through VPN breaches the platform's user agreement.
United Kingdom — Grey zone
The UK Gambling Commission has neither formally authorised nor prohibited platforms like Polymarket for prediction trading. Access remains available to UK participants, though regulatory safeguards are absent. Revenue from such activity must be reported according to HMRC requirements.
Germany — Grey zone
The Glücksspielstaatsvertrag (GlüStV 2021) establishes Germany's online gambling framework. Prediction markets occupy an unclear legal position — neither formally licensed nor expressly prohibited. German participants can access Polymarket without impediment, though some legal uncertainty persists. See our detailed German legal guide.
Canada — Accessible
No national-level ban on consumer participation in prediction markets exists in Canada. Provincial gaming laws differ across regions, yet Polymarket remains widely available and actively utilised by Canadian market participants.
Australia — Grey zone
Australia's Interactive Gambling Act concentrates enforcement on platform operators rather than end-users. Australian participants engage with Polymarket with relatively limited legal exposure, though the regulatory framework remains incompletely defined.
⚠️ This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — consult a local lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
Tax obligations everywhere
Across virtually all jurisdictions, trading revenue must be reported to tax authorities. The UK typically applies Capital Gains Tax to such earnings. Germany levies income tax on comparable gains. Maintain comprehensive transaction records for all activity.
PolyGram supplies transaction history downloads to streamline tax filing procedures. Start trading on PolyGram →