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.
Among the questions most frequently posed by those new to the platform: Does Polymarket operate in my jurisdiction? The response hinges on both Polymarket's own geographical limitations and the regulatory framework governing gambling and financial services in your location.
Officially Blocked Countries
The platform enforces access restrictions (through IP-based filtering and identity verification) across these territories:
- 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 — further limitations in place
Countries with Partial Access
Certain jurisdictions permit Polymarket usage but enforce their own regulatory 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
The vast majority of participants across these regions experience unimpeded access: remaining EU member states (France excepted), Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Kenya, Ghana, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Hong Kong.
What About VPNs?
Certain traders based in the US attempt to circumvent restrictions through virtual private networks. This strategy introduces substantial legal exposure: Polymarket's identity verification demands government-issued credentials, and submitting a US passport or state ID whilst routing traffic through a VPN creates a regulatory mismatch. Polymarket explicitly states it may lock accounts if VPN activity surfaces during subsequent KYC checks.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram replicates Polymarket's order book depth and delivers a tailored interface with clear regulatory frameworks and simple fund withdrawal mechanisms. Start trading on PolyGram →