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 query among those entering the prediction-market space: Can I use Polymarket where I live? The response hinges on both Polymarket's own territorial limitations and the regulatory framework governing gambling and financial services in your jurisdiction.
Officially Blocked Countries
Polymarket enforces access restrictions (through geolocation analysis and identity verification) in 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 subject to OFAC sanctions
- Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk — sanctioned regions
- Myanmar, Belarus — further access limitations
Countries with Partial Access
Certain jurisdictions permit Polymarket usage yet enforce their own local rules:
| 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 areas typically experience unrestricted functionality: the bulk of continental Europe (barring France), Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Cambodia.
What About VPNs?
Certain traders based in the US attempt circumventing blocks via virtual private networks. This strategy carries substantial legal and operational hazards: Polymarket's identity-verification requirements mandate authentic government-issued credentials, and presenting a US identification document whilst routing traffic through a VPN creates a direct regulatory violation. Polymarket has the authority to suspend or liquidate accounts should VPN masking be identified during identity recertification procedures.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram replicates Polymarket's market depth and delivers a tailored interface with regulatory transparency and streamlined withdrawal processes. Start trading on PolyGram →