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 from traders entering the space: Can I use Polymarket where I live? The response hinges on both Polymarket's own geographic limitations and the regulatory environment governing gambling and financial services in your jurisdiction.
Officially Blocked Countries
Polymarket enforces access restrictions (through geolocation checks 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 — nations subject to OFAC sanctions
- Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk — territories under international sanctions
- Myanmar, Belarus — further limitations in place
Countries with Partial Access
Certain jurisdictions permit Polymarket usage yet maintain their own regulatory requirements:
| 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 enjoy unrestricted access: remaining European nations (France excepted), Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Kenya.
What About VPNs?
Certain traders in restricted areas attempt VPN circumvention to reach Polymarket. This strategy carries substantial legal exposure: Polymarket's identity verification mandate requires official identification documents, and submitting a US passport or state ID whilst routing through a VPN generates a direct regulatory violation. Polymarket explicitly prohibits this and may seize accounts if VPN masking becomes apparent during identity re-verification procedures.
Alternative: PolyGram
PolyGram aggregates Polymarket's order flow and delivers a region-adapted interface with cross-platform odds comparison, transparent compliance frameworks, and efficient settlement mechanisms. Start trading on PolyGram →