- Ukraine blocks Polymarket for operating without a gambling license
- Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market where users bet on real‑world events
- ISPs in Ukraine have been ordered to restrict access to Polymarket domains
Ukraine has blocked access to the popular prediction market platform Polymarket.
The measure was taken after authorities classified the platform as engaging in unlicensed gambling.
Internet service providers in Ukraine were instructed to restrict access to Polymarket domains.
The decision is part of broader efforts to regulate online gambling and protect consumers.
Regulatory action and legal basis
The official block follows Resolution No. 695 issued by the National Commission for the State Regulation of Communications and Informatization (NKREKP) on December 10, 2025.
The resolution implements an earlier finding by the state regulator PlayCity, which identified the platform as an unlicensed gambling operator.
Under Ukrainian law, any website facilitating gambling without a valid license must be restricted.
Internet service providers are required to comply with the law by blocking and preventing user access.
The resolution also establishes oversight measures to ensure compliance, including monitoring and reporting obligations for officials.
Polymarket’s domain has been added to Ukraine’s public register of blocked resources.
Authorities warned that non‑compliance by providers could result in legal consequences.
The move reflects Ukraine’s ongoing crackdown on unlicensed online gambling platforms.
Hundreds of sites were blocked alongside Polymarket under similar regulatory measures.
How Polymarket operates and why Ukraine blocked it
Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market where users bet on the outcomes of real‑world events.
Participants buy and sell “shares” that represent outcomes, with payouts determined by actual results.
For example, a market might predict whether a city will be captured by the end of the year.
Users place bets using USDC, a stablecoin, on the Polygon blockchain.
Transactions and outcomes are recorded publicly on the blockchain to provide transparency.
Polymarket was founded in 2020 by Shayne Coplan and has grown to a reported valuation in the billions.
The platform has seen significant activity, with markets related to Ukraine attracting over $100 million in stakes by the end of 2025.
Officials expressed concerns about markets tied to the conflict, citing legal and reputational risks.
Under Ukrainian law, prediction markets like Polymarket are considered gambling, even if they operate in a decentralized manner on blockchain networks.
This legal interpretation has led to similar restrictions in other countries, including Romania, France, Belgium, and Thailand.
Push to regulate crypto‑based platforms
Ukraine’s action against Polymarket highlights growing scrutiny of crypto‑based platforms.
Authorities are committed to enforcing licensing requirements and preventing unregulated gambling activities.
While Polymarket continues to operate in other jurisdictions, access from within Ukraine is fully restricted.
The move is part of a wider global trend toward increased regulatory oversight of online gambling and crypto platforms.
Users in Ukraine must seek licensed alternatives or risk attempting to access blocked or illegal platforms.