In this guide
Key takeaway: Polymarket operates legally across most regions worldwide, though it occupies uncertain regulatory territory in numerous jurisdictions. Residents of the United States face access restrictions. Before you begin trading, 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 protocol, no single regulatory authority governs it — yet national and regional legislation still applies to participants.
United States — Blocked
US-based individuals and residents cannot use Polymarket. Following a $1.4 million settlement with the CFTC in 2022 over the provision of unregistered event derivatives, Polymarket exited the American marketplace and implements IP-based geographic blocking for US addresses. Circumventing this restriction through VPN technology breaches Polymarket's user agreement.
United Kingdom — Grey zone
The UK's Gambling Commission has neither formally authorised nor prohibited prediction market platforms such as Polymarket. The platform remains openly accessible to British users, though they operate without formal regulatory safeguards. Income generated through trading activity must be reported in accordance with HMRC tax guidelines.
Germany — Grey zone
Germany's Glücksspielstaatsvertrag (GlüStV 2021) establishes the framework for internet-based gambling activities. Prediction markets occupy an uncertain legal position — neither formally authorised nor explicitly prohibited. German participants can freely access Polymarket, though some legal uncertainty persists. Consult our comprehensive German legal guide for additional details.
Canada — Accessible
The Canadian federal government imposes no blanket restriction on consumer participation in prediction markets. Gambling frameworks differ by province, yet Polymarket remains widely available and actively used by Canadian market participants.
Australia — Grey zone
Australia's Interactive Gambling Act concentrates its enforcement focus on platform operators rather than individual users. Australians can engage with Polymarket with relatively modest legal exposure, though the regulatory environment remains somewhat ambiguous.
⚠️ 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 and capital gains must be reported to tax authorities. The UK typically applies Capital Gains Tax to such earnings. Germany treats profits as taxable income. Maintain comprehensive records of all transactions for compliance purposes.
PolyGram delivers transaction history export functionality to streamline your tax filing process. Start trading on PolyGram →