"Is Polymarket legal in the US?" is one of the most common questions about the platform. The short answer: US residents can only use Polymarket through the regulated US version, and access depends on your state and on the waitlist. The international site is not available to people in the United States.

Why Polymarket Was Banned in the US

In January 2022 the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) settled with Polymarket's operator, Blockratize Inc., over offering event contracts without registration. As part of that settlement Polymarket paid a civil penalty and blocked US users from the international site [verify before publishing]. That is why, for several years, people searched "why is Polymarket banned in the US", "is Polymarket blocked in the US" and "why can't I use Polymarket in the US".

How Polymarket Came Back: Polymarket US

In 2025 Polymarket acquired a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse and announced a US version of the platform, often called Polymarket US or polymarket.us [verify before publishing]. This regulated app is how Polymarket is legal in the US today: it operates under US derivatives rules rather than outside them.

  • Who can use it: US citizens and residents who pass identity checks and live in a supported state.
  • The waitlist: access has been rolled out gradually through a Polymarket US waitlist. How long the waitlist takes varies; there is no guaranteed date. See our waitlist guide.
  • Fees and markets: the US app may list different markets and charge different fees from the international site [verify before publishing]. Check Polymarket fees.

Event-contract rules are federal, but some states have challenged sports-related contracts. As a result, the list of states where Polymarket is legal can change. People regularly ask about California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. We don't publish a state-by-state "yes" list because it changes and we can't verify it daily — the app itself shows whether your state is supported at sign-up [verify before publishing].

Can I Use Polymarket in the US Through the International Site?

No. The international site's terms exclude US persons, and we will never explain ways around country restrictions. If the app says Polymarket is unavailable or shows "available soon", the correct option is to wait for official access in your state.

Key Dates

  • 2020: Polymarket founded.
  • 2022: CFTC settlement; US users blocked from the international site.
  • 2025: acquisition of a licensed US exchange and US launch announced; waitlist opens [verify before publishing].

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