Is Polymarket Legal? Country-by-Country Guide 2025
Key takeaway: Polymarket operates legally across most regions globally, though it occupies uncertain regulatory territory in numerous jurisdictions. Residents of the United States face access restrictions. Prior to engaging with the platform, review the gambling and financial regulations applicable in your location.
Is Polymarket legal? The response varies based on your geographic location. Because Polymarket functions as a decentralised blockchain-based system, no single regulatory authority oversees it — yet this does not exempt users from compliance with their respective national legal frameworks.
United States — Blocked
Access to Polymarket is restricted for individuals residing in or holding citizenship of the United States. Following a $1.4 million settlement with the CFTC in 2022 regarding the provision of unregistered event derivatives, Polymarket exited the American market and implements geographic blocking to prevent US-based connections. Circumventing these restrictions through VPN technology breaches the platform's user agreement.
United Kingdom — Grey zone
The UK's gambling regulator has neither formally authorised nor prohibited prediction market platforms such as Polymarket. The service remains accessible to UK participants, though users operate without the safeguards typically provided by regulatory oversight. Tax authorities expect participants to report earnings in accordance with HMRC requirements.
Germany — Grey zone
Under Germany's Glücksspielstaatsvertrag (GlüStV 2021), online gaming activities are subject to regulatory frameworks. Prediction markets occupy an uncertain position within this legal structure — they are neither formally authorised nor explicitly forbidden. German participants can use Polymarket without impediment, though some legal uncertainty persists. For comprehensive information on the regulatory landscape in Germany, consult our in-depth analysis.
Canada — Accessible
No nationwide legal barrier prevents Canadian consumers from participating in prediction markets. While provincial gaming rules differ across regions, Polymarket remains broadly available and is actively used by traders throughout Canada.
Australia — Grey zone
Australia's Interactive Gambling Act concentrates its enforcement focus on service providers rather than individual participants. Australian residents can engage with Polymarket with relatively limited legal exposure, though regulatory clarity remains incomplete.
⚠️ This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — consult a local lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
Tax obligations everywhere
Across virtually all jurisdictions, trading income must be reported to tax authorities. In the UK, earnings may trigger Capital Gains Tax liability. Germany imposes income tax on such gains. Maintain comprehensive documentation of all transactions for compliance purposes.
PolyGram supplies a downloadable transaction record feature to streamline your tax documentation process. Start trading on PolyGram →