Ukraine blocks Polymarket over unlicensed gambling

• Ukraine blocks Polymarket for operating without a gambling license.
• Polymarket is a decentralised prediction market where users bet on real-world events.
• ISPs in Ukraine have been instructed to restrict access to Polymarket’s domain.

Ukraine has blocked access to the popular prediction market platform Polymarket.

The action was taken because authorities classify the platform as engaging in unlicensed gambling.

Internet service providers in Ukraine have been instructed to restrict access to Polymarket’s domain.

This decision is part of a broader effort to regulate online gambling and protect consumers.

Regulatory action and legal basis

The official block is based on Resolution No. 695, issued by the National Commission for the Regulation of Electronic Communications (НКЕК) on December 10, 2025.

The resolution implements a prior decision by the State Agency PlayCity, which identified unlicensed gambling platforms.

Under Ukrainian law, any website facilitating gambling without a license must be restricted.

Internet providers are legally required to comply with the block and prevent access for users.

The resolution also mandates oversight to ensure compliance, including inspections and reporting by authorities.

Polymarket’s domain has been added to the public registry of blocked resources in Ukraine.

Authorities warned that noncompliance by providers could result in legal consequences.

This move reflects Ukraine’s ongoing crackdown on unlicensed online gambling platforms.

Hundreds of sites have been blocked alongside Polymarket under similar regulations.

Polymarket’s operations and why Ukraine blocked it

Polymarket is a decentralised prediction market where users bet on real-world events.

Participants buy and sell “shares” that represent outcomes, with payoffs depending on the actual results.

For example, a market might predict whether a city will be occupied by the end of the year.

Users place bets using USDC, a stablecoin, on the Polygon blockchain.

Transactions and results are recorded publicly, ensuring transparency through blockchain technology.

Polymarket is valued at approximately $8 billion and was founded in 2020 by Shayne Coplan.

The platform has seen significant activity, with Ukraine-related markets exceeding $100 million in bets by the end of 2025.

Authorities expressed concern over war-related betting markets, citing legal and reputational risks.

Prediction markets like Polymarket are considered gambling under Ukrainian law, despite their decentralised and blockchain-based operations.

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 underscores the increasing scrutiny of crypto-based platforms.

Authorities are determined to enforce licensing requirements and prevent unregulated gambling.

While Polymarket continues to operate in other jurisdictions, its access in Ukraine is now fully restricted.

The move is part of a broader trend of regulatory oversight for online betting and crypto platforms worldwide.

Users in Ukraine must now seek licensed alternatives or risk accessing illegal platforms.