Ukraine blocks Polymarket over war-related bets and unlicensed gambling

2026-01-14 01:33:45

Source: Yellow Original Title: Ukraine Blocks Polymarket Over War-Related Bets and Unlicensed Gambling

Original Link: Ukrainian regulators blocked access to the prediction market platform Polymarket, classifying the service as unlicensed betting under national law.

The National Commission for the Regulation of Electronic Communications issued Resolution No. 695 requiring internet providers to restrict access to the platform.

The domain polymarket.com was added to Ukraine’s public registry of blocked websites, although the app has been inconsistent and some users report continued access.

War Markets Draw Criticism

Ukraine’s decision follows increasing criticism of war-related prediction markets on Polymarket.

The platform processed approximately 240 Ukraine-related bets totaling over $270 million just in December 2025.

Another 120 active markets related to the Russian invasion accumulated over $140 million in open interest.

Ukrainian authorities criticized Polymarket for facilitating bets on territorial occupation, including markets on when certain cities would fall into Russian hands.

Reports indicate the platform used the Ukrainian open-source intelligence project DeepState’s API without authorization to create real-time betting markets on frontline developments.

Global Regulatory Pressure

Ukraine joins at least 33 other jurisdictions that restrict access to Polymarket, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Singapore, Thailand, and Romania.

Most countries cite similar concerns about unlicensed gambling operations, despite the platform’s peer-to-peer prediction market structure.

U.S. representative Ritchie Torres introduced last week a bill that would prohibit federal officials from negotiating contracts in prediction markets when they possess non-public information.

The Public Integrity in Prediction Markets Act of 2026 follows scrutiny over a profitable $400,000 bet on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, placed hours before U.S. military action.

Tennessee regulators also ordered Polymarket, Kalshi, and Crypto.com on January 9 to suspend sports betting contracts and issue refunds by January 31, citing violations related to unlicensed sports betting.

Founded in 2020, Polymarket operates using the stablecoin USDC on the Polygon blockchain, with an estimated valuation of $8 billion.

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