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 from traders entering the space: Does Polymarket operate in my jurisdiction? The response hinges on both Polymarket's internal geo-blocking mechanisms and the regulatory environment within your own territory.
Officially Blocked Countries
Polymarket enforces access restrictions (through IP-based filtering and identity verification) across these regions:
- United States — restricted following the 2022 CFTC agreement
- France — restricted owing to Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) regulatory concerns
- Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria — territories under OFAC sanctions
- Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk — sanctioned areas
- Myanmar, Belarus — further limitations in place
Countries with Partial Access
Certain jurisdictions permit Polymarket usage yet enforce their own local 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 these regions typically experience unobstructed platform access: the broader EU (France excluded), Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Poland, Egypt, Kenya, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos.
What About VPNs?
Certain traders based in the US attempt to circumvent restrictions through VPN services. This approach introduces substantial legal exposure: Polymarket's identity verification demands legitimate government-issued credentials, and submitting a US passport or state ID whilst routing traffic through a VPN creates a direct regulatory violation. Polymarket explicitly states it may seize accounts if VPN activity surfaces during subsequent KYC audits.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram replicates Polymarket's order book depth whilst delivering a jurisdiction-aware interface with clear compliance frameworks and seamless fund recovery options. Start trading on PolyGram →