Is Polymarket Legal in the US? State Availability Guide

Polymarket is legal in the US in June 2026, bringing the world’s largest prediction market to users in a variety of states nationwide. Find out all the states where the Polymarket app is legal and available, plus details on the new user bonus to get started trading on event contracts for real world outcomes.

What is Polymarket?

Polymarket is a regulated prediction market exchange operating as a peer-to-peer trading platform in over 40 states throughout the country. The Polymarket app allows users to buy and sell event contracts for yes/no outcomes of real world events. Markets available to trade include sports, politics, pop culture, weather, and many more options.

How is Polymarket Legal in the US?

Polymarket operates as a Designated Contract Market (DCM) regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Polymarket trading platform is registered under the Commodity Exchange Act. Users on Polymarket buy and sell contracts representing the outcomes of future real world events, with trades matched between users on the peer-to-peer exchange. Polymarket enforces rules designed to promote fair, orderly, and transparent markets.

Given its DCM status, Polymarket operates under the same regulatory tier as conventional futures exchanges. DCMs are regulated by the CFTC, and are required by law to maintain segregated funds, prevent market manipulation, and remain subject to continuous CFTC rule enforcement reviews.

States Where Polymarket is Legal

As it stands in June 2026, Polymarket is currently legal in over 40 states throughout the country, operating under federal CFTC authority. The Polymarket platform offers sports prediction market trading options, and it’s available in several states where online sports betting is prohibited, like Texas, Florida, and California.

The list of states where Polymarket is legal is as follows: AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MS, MO, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

Be sure to check your state’s eligibility before getting started on Polymarket.

Polymarket Restricted States

While Polymarket is legal at a federal level, there are several states that have acted to block the prediction markets platform from operating within their jurisdictions. Currently, Polymarket is unavailable in Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, and Ohio.

Nevada

The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a civil enforcement action against Polymarket, arguing that the prediction markets (mainly sports) constitute illegal sports gambling under Nevada state law. As a result of the Gaming Control Board’s action, prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi were forced to cease operations in the Silver State and are currently unavailable in Nevada. In compliance with legal stipulations, Polymarket has geo-blocked Nevada residents from using the predictions platform.

Tennessee

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council issued cease-and-desist letters to Polymarket and other prediction market platforms in January 2026, forcing the operators to halt all sports prediction market offerings, void all open contracts, and refund customer deposits. As part of the argument, the Sports Wagering Council stated that Polymarket was violating the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act by offering unlicensed sports gambling through its prediction markets.

Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division sent a cease-and-desist letter to Polymarket in December 2025, accusing the platform of facilitating illegal online sports betting in the state. Particularly, the Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division argued that Polymarket was in violation of state sports betting regulations by offering sports event contracts to users under 21.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Attorney General (Andrea Joy Campbell) and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission have halted operations for prediction market platforms like Polymarket within the state’s borders. Much like other states that have banned prediction markets, the argument by Massachusetts governing officials states that Polymarket is operating as an unlicensed sports betting platform. In retaliation, Polymarket filed a preemptive federal lawsuit against Massachusetts to prevent state regulators from blocking its operations.

Arizona

In March 2026, the state of Arizona filed the first ever criminal charges against a major prediction market platform in the US (Kalshi), accusing the platform of running an illegal gambling operation, which violates state law. The Arizona Department of Gaming has since issued a cease-and-desist letter to Polymarket, accusing them of facilitating illegal online gambling. In retaliation, the Department of Justice and the CFTC have sued Arizona to prevent the state’s regulators from prosecuting prediction market operators.

Federal vs State Legal Battle Over Prediction Markets

Although prediction market platforms like Polymarket are regulated at the federal level, they have been subject to legal challenges from state level regulators who seek to block the prediction exchanges from operating within their borders. Various states, including Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, and Ohio, have issued cease-and-desist orders and even filed criminal charges against prediction market platforms. The states argue that prediction exchanges are offering illegal gambling through prediction markets.

In response, the CFTC has sued several state regulators to reaffirm exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets. Specifically, the CFTC filed lawsuits against Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, and Rhode Island, each of which took action to prohibit designated contract markets. In its case, the CFTC argues that event contracts trading on prediction markets are federally regulated derivatives (swaps) rather than state-level illegal gambling.

Polymarket US vs International Polymarket: Two Different Products

There are two different Polymarket platforms/products, depending on the location of the user. Polymarket US is separate from the International Polymarket platform, with differences in the available markets as well as payment methods. The Polymarket US product is only available on the mobile app (iOS or Android), and is not available in a website setting at this time.

Polymarket US requires full Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and compliance before users can register for an account. This includes a government-issued ID, a selfie to verify identification, Social Security Number, and proof of residency in a legal state. It’s not recommended to use a VPN to bypass the geolocator and access the international version of Polymarket. Doing so could result in account feezes, fund seizures, and potential legal violations.

How Polymarket Works Compared to Sportsbooks

As a prediction markets exchange, Polymarket is categorically different than sportsbooks. For starters, the Polymarkt platform is federally regulated by the CFTC, whereas sportsbooks are regulated at the state level by Gaming/Lottery Commissions. Polymarket is registered as a Designated Contract Market, while sportsbooks are classified as Licensced Gambling Operators/Bookmakers. The minimum age to sign up and trade on Polymarket is 18, while most states require sportsbook users to be at least 21 years old.

Polymarket uses event contracts as the unit of commerce. These are two-sided contracts, totalling $1, with each side representing a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ outcome of a real world event. Each side is priced from $0.01 to $0.99 based on the implied market probability. Polymarket operates trades on the exchange using a peer-to-peer model where orders are matched by other traders.

In comparison, sportsbooks use an odds format, with the prices (odds) set by the house. Gamblers are then betting against the house, and paying a fee on each wager in the form of vig (house edge).

How to Start Using Polymarket in the US

Ready to sign up on Polymarket and start trading event contracts. Follow the step-by-step process outlined below to download the Polymarket app and register for an account. Users must be in a state where Polymarket is available at the time of sign up.

Step 1: Claim the Polymarket Invite Code

Click this link to download the Polymarket app (App Store or Google Play) and claim the Polymarket invite code SOUTH, which unlocks the new user welcome offer. The registration process will start with the user prompted to enter a Google account or an email to sign up.

The linked Polymarkt promo code on this page will unlock a new user offer to deposit $20 and get a $50 bonus after successfully signing up for an account.

Step 2: Complete Identity Verification (KYC)

Next, users will need to complete the identity verification process, which adheres to strict Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and comliances.

• Enter the promo code SOUTH to secure the welcome offer
• Provide your name and date of birth
• Submit a government-issued photo ID
• Provide your Social Security Number
• Enter proof of residency (address)
• Upload a selfie to confirm your identity

Polymarket will also verify the user’s location at this step via location services in the app.

Step 3: Fund Your Account

After completing the registration, users will need to fund their account using one of the safe and trusted Polymarket payment methods. Make a deposit of at least $20 to unlock the $50 bonus from the Polymarket welcome offer.

Accepted deposit methods on Polymarket include the following options:

• Crypto Transfer (USDC or USDC.e)
• Debit/Credit Cards (Mastercard, Visa)
• PayPal
• Apple Pay & Google Pay
• Bank Transfer

Users should note there are associated fees with some of the payment methods listed above.

Step 4: Trade Event Contracts

The Polymarket invite code will award a $50 sign up bonus to new users who deposit at least $20 into their account. The $50 bonus, and any other deposited funds, can then be used to trade on event contracts for real world outcomes across a variety of categories. Popular markets on the Polymarket app include sports, politics, economics, pop culture, and other interesting options. Buy and sell contracts based on your prediction, and profit if your picks are correct. Users can also sell contracts before settlement if the market has moved in their favor, similar to a ‘cash out’ feature offered on sportsbooks.

Is Polymarket Safe and Regulated?

Yes, Polymarket is a safe and regulated trading platform where users can legitimately trade on real world oucomes. The Polymarket platform is classified as a Designated Contracts Market, and is subject to strict federal regulation by the CFTC. The CFTC is also responsible for regulation of US derivatives markets, including futures contracts, options, and swaps. Authorized by the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), the CFTC has a core mission to protect market participants from fraud, manipulation, and abusive trading practices.

Tips Before Trading on Polymarket

Prospective users interested in trading on Polymarket should consider these trading tips before they sign up to buy or sell any event contracts:

• Verify your state allows access before creating an account 
• Understand how contract pricing works ($0.01 to $0.99 range) 
• Watch for resolution rules specific to each market 
• Spread positions across different markets to manage risk 
• Track all trades for tax purposes

FAQs About Polymarket Legality in the US

Is Polymarket legal in the US?

Yes, Polymarket is legal and available in the US for eligible traders in over 40 states nationwide.

Is Polymarket legal in California?

Yes, Polymarket is legal and available for eligible users in California.

Is Polymarket legal in Texas?

Yes, Polymarket is legal and available for eligible users in Texas.

Is Polymarket legal in New York?

Polymarket’s legal status in New York is currently in a grey area as the platform faces significant regulatory and state-level scrutiny.

Is Polymarket legal in Nevada?

No, Polymarket, and other prediction market platforms, are prohibited in Nevada.

Is Polymarket legal in Florida?

Yes, Polymarket is legal and available for eligible users in Florida.

Is Polymarket available on mobile?

Yes, the Polymarket app is available on most mobile devices (iOS and Android).

How is Polymarket different from Kalshi?

Both Polymarket and Kalshi are prediction market platforms, but differ in available markets to trade as well as the new user welcome offer.