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 first queries from prospective users: Can I use Polymarket where I live? The response hinges on both Polymarket's own geographical limitations and the regulatory framework governing gambling and financial services in your jurisdiction.
Officially Blocked Countries
Polymarket enforces access restrictions (through IP-based filtering and identity verification) across these regions:
- United States — restricted following the 2022 CFTC enforcement action
- France — restricted owing to Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) regulatory concerns
- Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria — territories subject to OFAC sanctions
- Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk — areas under international sanctions
- Myanmar, Belarus — further access limitations in place
Countries with Partial Access
Certain nations permit Polymarket usage yet maintain 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
The bulk of traders in these areas experience unhindered platform access: the broader European Union (France excepted), Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Pakistan, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, and Singapore.
What About VPNs?
Certain traders based in the US attempt to circumvent restrictions using virtual private networks. This approach introduces substantial legal exposure: Polymarket's identity-verification procedures mandate official identification documents, and submitting a US passport or driver's licence whilst routing traffic through a VPN creates a regulatory mismatch. Polymarket may suspend or liquidate accounts if VPN activity surfaces during subsequent identity checks.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram replicates Polymarket's order-book depth and delivers a tailored interface with regulatory clarity and user-friendly fund recovery options. Start trading on PolyGram →