Where prediction markets are legal and available
Overview
Access to prediction markets depends on two separate things: whether the activity is permitted where you live, and whether a particular platform chooses to accept you. Those answers differ by country, by platform, and over time — so treat this as an orientation, not legal advice.
Country and platform availability reference
Official guidance consulted on 20 October 2026. This is a limited reference, not legal advice or an account-eligibility decision. Restricted means the cited platform documentation names a restriction; unconfirmed means we have not established your access. Polymarket.com and Polymarket's separate US offering are different products.
| Country / region | Polymarket.com | Kalshi | Robinhood event contracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Listed as restricted on Polymarket.com; the separate US product is not covered here. | Check account eligibility and the Member Agreement; this is not blanket approval for every resident. | Derivatives account approval required; state and customer restrictions apply. |
| United Kingdom | Listed as restricted. | Unconfirmed here; check the current Member Agreement. | UK access unconfirmed in the cited event-contract guidance. |
| Cyprus | Not named in the cited blocked-country list; access remains unconfirmed. | Country eligibility unconfirmed here; check the Member Agreement and identity requirements. | Cyprus access unconfirmed in the cited guidance. |
| Romania | Not named in the cited blocked-country list; access remains unconfirmed. | Country eligibility unconfirmed here; check the Member Agreement and identity requirements. | Romania access unconfirmed in the cited guidance. |
| EU / EEA | No region-wide approval: restrictions name several EU countries, including France and Germany. | International access exists in many countries, subject to country-specific terms; not EU-wide approval. | EU / EEA access unconfirmed in the cited guidance. |
| Other locations | Check both country and subnational restrictions, plus your physical location. | International access is subject to the Member Agreement and residence verification. | Non-US access unconfirmed in the cited guidance. |
Viewing market data does not mean you can trade. Residency, physical location, identity checks, account approval and payment availability can lead to different answers. Do not use a VPN or other workaround to bypass restrictions; Polymarket explicitly prohibits this. Official links in Primary sources below take precedence over this reference.
Regulated exchanges versus offshore and on-chain venues
Some venues operate as regulated derivatives exchanges under a national regulator, with formal oversight, segregated customer funds, and identity verification. Others operate offshore or on-chain, with wider market coverage and fewer regional guarantees. The trade-off is usually between regulatory protection and breadth of access.
Regulation is not a quality score. It tells you which rules apply and who to escalate to, not whether a platform suits you.
Why availability differs by country
- Local law may classify event contracts as derivatives, as gambling, or leave them unaddressed — each leads to a different licensing route.
- Platforms geo-block jurisdictions where they are not licensed, or where sanctions and payment rules make service impractical.
- Some countries are accepted for trading but blocked for certain funding methods.
- Restrictions change. A platform can add or remove a country with little notice.
How to check your own access
- Use the country reference below and the Where to Trade directory as research starting points, not confirmation that you can open an account.
- Open the platform's own terms of service and restricted-country list, which is the authoritative source.
- Check funding: confirm at least one deposit and one withdrawal method works from your country and currency.
- Confirm identity requirements before depositing, since verification can block withdrawals later.
- Consider your own tax and reporting obligations, which apply regardless of where the platform sits.
Prediction Pantheon tracks regional availability, fees, and funding methods for each platform, but the platform's own terms always take precedence.
Frequently asked questions
Are prediction markets legal?
It depends on your jurisdiction. In some countries event contracts trade on regulated exchanges; in others they are treated as gambling or are unregulated. Check your local rules and the platform's restricted-country list.
Can I use a prediction market platform from any country?
No. Platforms geo-block regions where they are not licensed, and some accept traders but limit funding methods. Availability changes, so check before depositing.
Does Prediction Pantheon let me trade?
No. Prediction Pantheon compares prices and platforms and offers a free practice portfolio. It does not hold funds or execute trades — you trade on the platform itself.