Ukraine has blocked access to Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market platform, after classifying it as an unlicensed gambling operator under national law.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine has officially restricted Polymarket, adding it to a public registry of banned websites for violating gambling regulations.
- The platform faced criticism for allowing war-related bets linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- The ban follows a December 2025 resolution by Ukraine’s electronic communications regulator and a recommendation from the state gambling authority.
- Polymarket, valued at $8 billion, operates in USDC on the Polygon blockchain and is already banned in 33 other countries.
What Happened?
Ukraine’s National Commission for the Regulation of Electronic Communications (NCEC) issued Resolution No. 695 on December 10, 2025. This resolution ordered internet service providers to block access to websites that facilitate gambling without proper licensing. As a result, Polymarket was added to the country’s open register of prohibited internet resources, effectively banning the platform within Ukrainian borders.
Authorities acted after the State Agency of Ukraine PlayCity identified Polymarket as operating without a valid gambling license. The decision was enforced in early January 2026, with ISPs across the country receiving instructions to restrict access to Polymarket’s domain.
🚨BREAKING: Polymarket is officially blocked in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/DNDrV5Fa2L
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) January 12, 2026
Ukraine Targets Unlicensed Gambling Platforms
The move is part of a wider effort by Ukrainian regulators to tighten control over online gambling. Under Ukrainian law, any website facilitating gambling or gambling-like services must acquire a license. Although Polymarket promotes itself as a prediction market where users can buy and sell event outcome shares, regulators argue it still fits the legal definition of gambling.
- The enforcement includes site access restrictions and unscheduled ISP inspections to ensure compliance.
- Polymarket joins nearly 200 other websites blocked under this regulatory push.
War Bets Spark Outrage
Ukrainian officials were especially critical of Polymarket’s war-related contracts, which allowed users to speculate on events tied to Russia’s ongoing invasion. Local outlet AIN reported that more than $270 million in war-related bets had been placed on the platform, sparking outrage from the public and government alike.
Other prediction platforms like Kalshi, PredictIt, and Limitless were not included in the list of blocked websites, possibly because they are not as heavily used in Ukraine or have not drawn similar criticism.
Polymarket’s Global Challenges
This is not the first time Polymarket has faced regulatory heat:
- Banned in 33 countries, including France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Iraq, and North Korea.
- Previously banned in the United States in 2022 after a CFTC settlement for operating without proper registration.
- Gained notoriety in 2024 for accurately predicting Donald Trump’s presidential win, with over $2 billion traded on related contracts.
- Recently saw renewed U.S. interest after Trump Jr.-linked firm 1789 Capital invested in the platform.
- Acquired a U.S.-licensed exchange and saw investigations by the DOJ and CFTC dropped in July 2025.
Despite efforts to gain legitimacy, Polymarket remains under scrutiny in many jurisdictions due to its unregulated nature and use of cryptocurrency.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience, when a government moves swiftly to block a platform like Polymarket, it signals deeper discomfort with the technology’s implications. This isn’t just about gambling licenses. Ukraine clearly sees prediction markets, especially those monetizing war outcomes, as a threat to public order and ethical standards. I found it striking that war-related bets totaled $270 million. That’s more than just a niche activity. It’s a reminder that the crypto world still walks a fine line between innovation and regulation. If Polymarket wants to survive globally, it needs to align more closely with local laws and public sensitivities.
