South Korea has ordered domestic access to Polymarket blocked after regulators determined the platform facilitates illegal gambling. The Korea Media and Communications Commission announced the access-blocking measure on August 18, following a police investigation that began in late May. Polymarket argued it was outside South Korean jurisdiction after removing Korean-language services and disabling Korean won payments, but the commission rejected that position. France, Germany, Australia, and over 30 other countries have also restricted the platform. In the United States, Baltimore officials filed lawsuits against Polymarket and Kalshi, accusing them of offering unlicensed sports betting.
South Korea has decided to block domestic access to Polymarket after authorities determined that its services constitute illegal gambling under local law. The Korea Media and Communications Commission announced on August 18 that its Communications Deliberation Subcommittee had approved an access-blocking corrective measure.
According to local media, the platform came under scrutiny in late May, when police began investigating users on suspicion of gambling. The media watchdog subsequently opened its own review on July 6.
The commission said Polymarket’s structure, combined with wagers on events outside users’ control, “encourages gambling behavior.” Polymarket argued that it was outside South Korean jurisdiction after removing Korean-language services and disabling payments in Korean won.
The commission rejected that position, stating that technical changes do not remove a platform’s obligation to comply with domestic law. South Korea is not alone in restricting Polymarket; France blocked the platform last month over concerns about user losses and potential betting manipulation.
Australia and Germany imposed access restrictions in 2025 after classifying it as an illegal gambling service. More than 30 countries, including Italy, Indonesia, and Argentina, have also blocked or restricted Polymarket.
In the United States, legal pressure on prediction markets is also building. Baltimore officials have taken aim at both Polymarket and Kalshi. The city and Mayor Brandon M. Scott filed separate lawsuits on August 13, accusing the platforms of offering sports betting without the required licenses in Maryland.
The complaints also allege that both companies presented their products in ways that could leave consumers with the impression they are legal and properly regulated. Baltimore argued that calling them event contracts or prediction-market trades does not change their underlying nature.
The city is seeking penalties, consumer restitution, disgorgement, and other legal remedies. Meanwhile, Kalshi is also facing a separate legal fight with New York officials over its operations in the state.
