Short answer: yes, for Americans who use the Polymarket US app, and no for the main international exchange. Polymarket runs two separate venues. The US one operates under federal oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The original, larger exchange settles in pUSD, a USDC-backed dollar token, on a blockchain and is closed to US residents. Using a VPN to reach it breaks Polymarket’s terms.
How Polymarket became legal in the US
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | Polymarket settled with the CFTC for $1.4 million over offering unregistered event contracts, and agreed to block US users. |
| Nov 2024 | Federal agents searched the founder’s home as part of DOJ and CFTC investigations. |
| Jul 2025 | Both investigations were closed without charges. Polymarket bought QCEX, a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearing house, for a reported $112 million. |
| Late 2025 | The CFTC approved changes that let Polymarket operate a US exchange with intermediaries, and Polymarket began admitting waitlisted Americans to its US app, starting with sports. |
| 2026 | The US app widened its rollout and started testing combos (parlays). Reports say Polymarket is in talks with the CFTC about opening its main exchange to US users, but no change had been announced as of October 2026. |
What “legal in the US” covers
- Federal level: Polymarket US is overseen by the CFTC, the same regulator as the big futures exchanges.
- States: several states argue that sports event contracts are illegal sports betting under state law, and have sued prediction market operators, including Kalshi and Polymarket. Courts have split. Sports markets in particular could be restricted in some states as these cases play out.
- Age: 18 or older.
- The main exchange: listed as close-only for the United States in Polymarket’s own documentation. Existing positions can be closed, but new ones can’t be opened.
Is Polymarket legal outside the US?
It depends on the country. Polymarket’s documentation (October 2026) lists three tiers:
| Status | Countries and regions |
|---|---|
| Fully blocked | Iran, Syria, Cuba, North Korea; Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk |
| Close-only (no new positions) | United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Slovakia, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Russia, Belarus, Venezuela; Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta in Canada; and several others |
| Website only blocked (API not restricted) | Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea; Malta for sports |
Not being on the list doesn’t make Polymarket legal where you live: local gambling or financial laws may still apply to you even if the platform lets you sign up. Several European regulators have also ordered access to Polymarket blocked.
Legal alternatives in the US
If you’re in the US and want a prediction market account, your regulated options include the Polymarket US app, Kalshi and a growing list of apps from brokers and sportsbooks. See our guide to the best prediction market apps.
FAQ
Can Americans use Polymarket?
Is Polymarket legal in the UK?
Was Polymarket ever banned in the US?
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Related: Polymarket profile · Polymarket US · Polymarket deposits and withdrawals · Kalshi vs Polymarket · Is Kalshi legal in California?