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 among prospective participants centres on a straightforward question: Can I use Polymarket where I live? The response hinges upon both Polymarket's own geographical limitations and the regulatory framework governing gambling or financial services in your jurisdiction.
Officially Blocked Countries
Polymarket enforces access restrictions (through geolocation verification and identity verification protocols) across these territories:
- United States — restricted following the 2022 CFTC settlement
- France — restricted owing to Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) regulatory concerns
- Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria — nations subject to OFAC sanctions
- Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk — regions under international sanctions
- Myanmar, Belarus — jurisdictions with supplementary prohibitions
Countries with Partial Access
Certain nations permit Polymarket usage yet enforce their own domestic 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 the following regions typically experience unrestricted platform access: the remainder of the EU (excluding France), Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Lebanon, Kenya, Ghana, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos.
What About VPNs?
Certain American traders attempt to circumvent restrictions through virtual private networks. This approach carries substantial legal exposure: Polymarket's identity verification requirements mandate government-issued identification, and submitting a US passport or state driver's licence whilst routing traffic through a VPN creates a regulatory mismatch. Polymarket explicitly states it may suspend or liquidate accounts if VPN circumvention is identified during compliance reviews.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram replicates Polymarket's order book depth and delivers a customised interface featuring transparent regulatory compliance and streamlined fund recovery mechanisms. Start trading on PolyGram →