ESP 16.6%
FRA 16.1%
POR 10.6%
ENG 9.7%
ARG 7.9%Is Polymarket Legal in the US?
Short answer: as of December 2, 2025, Polymarket operates in the US as a CFTC-regulated platform, after acquiring a CFTC-licensed exchange and receiving a CFTC order in November 2025. Whether youcan use it still depends on your state and Polymarket’s own eligibility checks, and a few states have raised legal challenges. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The short history
- January 2022: the CFTC ordered a $1.4 million penalty over unregistered markets, and Polymarket blocked US users.
- 2025: Polymarket acquired QCEX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, for about $112 million, and federal investigations into the company were ended without new charges.
- November 2025: the CFTC issued an Amended Order of Designation allowing Polymarket to run a regulated US trading platform.
- December 2, 2025: Polymarket relaunched to US users, ending a roughly three-year domestic absence.
Federal vs state: why availability still varies
Polymarket’s contracts are regulated federally as event contracts under the CFTC, which is what makes the platform legal at the national level. State law is a separate question, and it is still being worked out: several states, including Nevada, Massachusetts and Minnesota, have raised concerns, filed challenges, or moved to restrict prediction markets. The picture can change as cases are decided, so the practical test is whether Polymarket lets you open and fund an account from your location.
How to check if you can use it
Eligibility is decided at sign-up: you must be 18 or older and physically located somewhere Polymarket currently serves. The simplest way to know is to start the sign-up flow through our Polymarket promo code page; if your location is supported, you can fund an account and the welcome offer applies. If it is not supported, the platform will tell you. For how it actually works once you are in, see how to trade the World Cup on Polymarket, and for whether this counts as gambling, see are prediction markets gambling.
Frequently asked
Is Polymarket legal in the US?
As of December 2, 2025, Polymarket operates in the US as a CFTC-regulated platform. It acquired a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse in 2025 and received a CFTC Amended Order of Designation in November 2025. Whether you can use it still depends on your state and Polymarket's eligibility checks, and some states have raised legal challenges. This is general information, not legal advice.
Why was Polymarket blocked in the US before?
In January 2022 the CFTC ordered Polymarket to pay a $1.4 million penalty and to wind down markets that were not registered, and the platform blocked US users. It operated outside the US until it returned through a regulated structure in December 2025.
How did Polymarket become legal again?
In 2025 Polymarket acquired QCEX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, for about $112 million. In November 2025 the CFTC issued an Amended Order of Designation that let it operate a regulated US trading platform, and it relaunched to US users on December 2, 2025.
Can I use Polymarket in my state?
Federal regulation does not automatically mean every state allows it. A number of states have raised concerns or filed challenges, and availability is ultimately determined by Polymarket at sign-up based on your location. Check Polymarket directly for whether it is available where you live.
18+. This page is general information, not legal advice, and reflects our understanding of a fast-moving regulatory situation as of June 2026. Laws and availability differ by state and can change; confirm the current position with Polymarket and official sources before acting. Contains an affiliate link to Polymarket. Trade responsibly.