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 entering the prediction-market space: Can I use Polymarket where I live? The answer hinges on both Polymarket's geographical blocking measures and the regulatory environment within your own jurisdiction.
Officially Blocked Countries
Polymarket enforces access restrictions (through IP geolocation and identity verification) across these regions:
- United States — restricted following the 2022 CFTC settlement
- France — restricted owing to Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) regulatory concerns
- Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria — countries subject to OFAC sanctions
- Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk — territories under international sanctions
- Myanmar, Belarus — subject to further compliance restrictions
Countries with Partial Access
Certain jurisdictions permit Polymarket access yet maintain their own regulatory frameworks:
| 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 enjoy unrestricted platform access: the broader European Union (France excepted), Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Kenya, and Ghana.
What About VPNs?
Certain American participants attempt circumvention through virtual private networks. This strategy presents substantial legal exposure: Polymarket's identity verification demands official 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 suspend or liquidate accounts if VPN activity surfaces during identity re-screening.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram replicates Polymarket's order-book depth and delivers a region-specific experience featuring compliance clarity and streamlined fund transfers. Start trading on PolyGram →