Polymarket blocks VPNs and tightens identity verification as over 30
countries ban the betting platform

Date:
Thu, 28 May 2026 15:35:27 +0000

Description:
Polymarket is taking a harder stance against VPN use and pushing for identity verification, marking a shift away from permissionless trading as more countries restrict the platform.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Polymarket is clamping down on VPN users who bypass geographic blocks Traders are asked to undergo voluntary ID checks to curb suspicious activity More than 30 countries have now banned or restricted the platform Polymarket is accelerating its push for identity verification and actively blocking users who connect via the best VPN services, as the popular prediction market faces mounting international regulatory pressure.

According to a report from the Information , the company "is making it harder to use VPNs to access its service, blocking some IPs and suspicious accounts, and is asking some customers to identify themselves." The move marks a clear shift from the platform's long-standing model of permissionless, anonymous trading. You may like 'VPNs must make reasonable efforts' India orders VPNs to block access to Polymarket and other banned betting platforms or lose
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While international users can still deposit USD Coin (USDC) and trade without uploading personal documents, Polymarket now strictly polices VPN use.
Traders caught bypassing IP-based geoblocks risk facing suspension or permanent bans.

This compliance push comes as the platform navigates intense scrutiny from worldwide regulators, with over 30 countries now facing full restrictions or technical blocks on the site. Why are users turning to VPNs? (Image credit: Getty Images) The list of nations shutting the door on Polymarket is growing rapidly. As reported by El Pas , Spain was the latest country to ban Polymarket, adding to a steady trickle of jurisdictions imposing
restrictions. In Latin America, Argentina previously suspended the platform's use in March.

In India, the government recently took an aggressive stance against the betting site. Under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA), real-money prediction markets are explicitly banned.

To prevent users from bypassing these rules, Indias Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ( MeitY) ordered VPN providers to block access entirely. The advisory warned that failure to comply could cost VPNs their legal "safe harbour" protections.

Polymarket already "strictly prohibits the use of VPNs or similar tools to bypass geographic restrictions," as the company states on its website. That, however, hasn't stopped Americans from turning on VPN services to place bets on the platform, especially surrounding the US elections.

Because Polymarket falls into a regulatory grey area under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, users have been utilizing VPNs to spoof their location and connect to servers in countries where the platform is legal. What to read next From essential security tools to restricted circumvention software: The EU signals that VPNs are the next target following the release of its age verification app ProtonVPN downloads spiked in 62 countries in 2025 but with VPNs 'more important than ever' the countries responsible weren't all those you'd expect VPNs surge in Australia as mandatory age verification for adult content begins Today's best NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN deals NordVPN 2 Year 2.59 /mth View +3 months free Surfshark 24 Months 1.49 /mth View Proton VPN 24 Month 2.39 /mth View We
check over 250 million products every day for the best prices The push for identity verification To sweeten the deal for those willing to give up their privacy, Polymarket is offering incentives. Users who complete a voluntary Know Your Customer (KYC) or KYB form gain perks. According to BeInCrypto , "These include direct co-location on Polymarket's primary servers, which lowers latency for active traders."

Meanwhile, high-volume users no longer have a choice. "Traders running seven-figure positions, or rapid five-figure deposit-trade-withdraw cycles, have been documented triggering verification under internal anti-money laundering thresholds," BeInCrypto reported.

For everyday internet users, Polymarket's new enforcement measures mean that utilizing a VPN to bypass geographic hurdles is becoming increasingly difficult. Privacy-focused traders must now weigh the loss of anonymity against the very real threat of frozen funds. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/polymarket-blocks-vpns-and- tightens-identity-verification-as-over-30-countries-ban-the-betting-platform


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