In this guide
Key takeaway: Polymarket operates legally across most territories, though it occupies uncertain regulatory territory in numerous jurisdictions. Residents of the United States cannot participate. Review applicable gambling and investment regulations in your region before engaging with the platform.
Is Polymarket legal? The response varies significantly based on your location. Polymarket functions as a decentralised blockchain-based protocol without a centralised regulatory authority — yet national legal frameworks still apply to individual participants.
United States — Blocked
US-based users and citizens cannot access Polymarket. Following a $1.4 million CFTC settlement in 2022 relating to the provision of unregistered event derivatives, Polymarket exited the American market and enforces geoblocking against US IP addresses. Circumventing this restriction using VPN technology breaches Polymarket's user agreement.
United Kingdom — Grey zone
The UK Gambling Commission has neither formally authorised nor prohibited prediction market platforms such as Polymarket. The platform remains openly accessible to British users, though they lack the safeguards associated with regulated offerings. Tax authorities expect users to report earnings in line with HMRC requirements.
Germany — Grey zone
Germany's Glücksspielstaatsvertrag (GlüStV 2021) establishes a framework for internet-based gambling activities. Prediction markets occupy an uncertain position within this regulatory structure — neither formally authorised nor explicitly prohibited. German participants can access Polymarket without impediment, though potential legal uncertainties persist. See our detailed German legal guide.
Canada — Accessible
No nationwide ban on consumer participation in prediction markets exists under Canadian federal law. Regulations differ across provinces, yet Polymarket remains broadly available and actively used among Canadian market participants.
Australia — Grey zone
Australia's Interactive Gambling Act concentrates regulatory focus on platform operators rather than individual users. Australian participants engage with Polymarket with relatively modest legal exposure, though the regulatory landscape retains some ambiguity.
⚠️ 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, users must report earnings from trading activities to tax authorities. Capital Gains Tax may apply to UK traders' profits. German participants face income tax liability on gains. Maintain comprehensive documentation of all transactions for compliance purposes.
PolyGram provides transaction export functionality to streamline your tax filing process. Start trading on PolyGram →