Some shops don't let everyone in. In one city the door is shut completely. In another you can return what you bought but can't buy anything new. In a third only the street window is closed.
Polymarket restricts countries in much the same way — and not the same everywhere. Below is the list of countries as of 28 September 2026 from Polymarket's official table, an explanation of the restriction levels and the options a trader still has.
The list changes several times a year. We check it against the venue's table every week and update this article.
Three levels of restrictions
- Full ban. You can't open new positions or close old ones. These are sanctioned countries.
- Close-only. You can exit a position but can't open a new one. Your money isn't locked, but there will be no new trades.
- Website restricted. polymarket.com doesn't open from the country, but formally the restriction applies only to the venue's interface.
Countries with a full ban
Close-only countries
Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec), Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and US Minor Outlying Islands, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Countries with a restricted website
Ireland, the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, Malta (sports markets only).
Countries where local authorities block Polymarket
The venue's table isn't the whole story. In some countries the state itself blocks the site, even though Polymarket doesn't list them:
Hungary, India, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam.
Potabo applies the same rules to them as to close-only countries: the demo account works, and you can close a position you already have.
Why Polymarket restricts countries
Countries see prediction markets differently: some as gambling, others as financial instruments. The venue can't get a license everywhere at once and closes access where it can't operate without one. For the US, Polymarket has a separate regulated venue.
What about a VPN?
A VPN changes the country the site sees, and many traders use one. But it's worth knowing the consequences.
How it works in Potabo
Potabo runs on top of Polymarket and follows the same restrictions — that's a condition for everyone building services on the venue. We determine the country by the connection address.
Frequently asked questions
Can I withdraw money if my country becomes restricted?
In close-only countries — yes: positions can be closed and money withdrawn. The full ban applies to sanctioned countries.
How often does the country list change?
Several times a year: in summer 2026 Brazil and Slovakia were added. We check the list every week.
Does Polymarket work in the United States?
The US is on the close-only list for the international Polymarket. American users have a separate regulated Polymarket venue.
Can I use the Potabo demo account from a restricted country?
Yes. The demo uses virtual money and is available everywhere — a good way to get to know prediction markets and strategies.
Live Polymarket markets and virtual money: test any strategy without risk.
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