South Korea Enforces Access Block on Polymarket After Review Finds Violations of Criminal Act and Sports Promotion Law
TL;DR — South Korean regulators have ordered internet access to Polymarket to be blocked within the country, concluding that the service creates an environment that falls within domestic prohibitions on gambling-related activities. The KMCSC approved the access restriction on August 18 after determining Polymarket provides information that could facilitate gambling under the Criminal Act. According to reports, more than 30 countries have either blocked or restricted access to Polymarket.
SCCG Take — Prediction market operators face mounting jurisdictional barriers where blockchain design offers no exemption from local gambling statutes, requiring tighter geo-controls to limit exposure.
South Korean regulators have ordered internet access to the prediction market platform Polymarket blocked within the country. Authorities determined that the service creates an environment falling within domestic prohibitions on gambling-related activities under the Criminal Act and the National Sports Promotion Act.
The Korea Media and Communications Standards Commission (KMCSC) approved the measure on August 18 following consultations with the National Police Agency, the Gambling Control Commission and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. These agencies advised that Polymarket’s operations could fall within laws governing gambling activities and venues. Police had launched an investigation into local users in late May over suspected illegal gambling connected to the platform.
Regulators focused on the winner-takes-all structure of many markets, which encourages gambling behavior because financial outcomes depend on events that users cannot influence. The KMCSC examined the platform operator’s role in creating markets, establishing trading rules and providing systems for digital-asset deposits, withdrawals and settlement. Transaction fees collected through platform activity were cited as evidence that the operator derives economic benefits.
A market related to rainfall levels in Seoul during August was highlighted as indication that content was offered to users in South Korea. Polymarket had argued it removed Korean-language services, no longer supported transactions using the Korean won and operates a non-custodial peer-to-peer model using smart contracts that does not hold or manage user funds. These arguments were rejected.
The KMCSC stated, “Technical features or service methods cannot exempt a platform from domestic legal compliance. Since Polymarket provides a real illegal gambling environment to domestic users, access blocking is unavoidable to protect them.”
Global Pattern of Restrictions
South Korea’s action adds to a broader pattern with more than 30 countries having blocked or restricted access to Polymarket. France directed internet service providers to block access over concerns about potential user losses and betting manipulation. Australia and Germany imposed restrictions in 2025 after determining that the service constituted an illegal gambling offering. Other jurisdictions that have limited access include Spain, Indonesia, Argentina, Italy, Ukraine and Singapore. The company faces ongoing investigations in the United States and compliance-related challenges in Japan.
This decision was detailed in reporting by World Casino News.
Reporting: World Casino News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Crypto architecture buys you nothing if you look, act and pay out like a book — Korea just made that crystal clear.
We've watched regulators worldwide wrestle with prediction markets for years. Korea's decision — backed by multi-agency review and explicit rejection of the 'we're just smart contracts' defense — signals that DeFi branding won't shield platforms from enforcement when the substance is wagering. Operators need realistic compliance strategies, not clever technical arguments.
- KMCSC blocked Polymarket after finding winner-takes-all structure, operator fees and event-based outcomes constitute illegal gambling
- Platform's non-custodial model and removal of Korean-language services rejected as defenses against domestic law
- More than 30 countries now restrict or block access, reflecting global regulatory scrutiny of prediction markets
SCCG angle: SCCG helps platforms build geo-compliance frameworks before launch through our regulatory network across 30+ markets. We connect operators with local counsel, compliance architects and licensing partners who understand where technical models meet enforcement reality — so you're designing around risk, not reacting to blocks.
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