Key Moments:
- Hungarian authorities have temporarily blocked access to Polymarket due to suspected gambling law violations.
- Portugal’s regulator has given Polymarket 48 hours to exit, following unauthorized betting on the Jan. 18 presidential election.
- The platform remains under mounting regulatory pressure, with restrictions or blocks now spanning over 30 countries.
Hungary Issues Temporary Block on Polymarket
Hungary’s Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities has instituted a temporary block on Polymarket for users connecting through Hungarian IP addresses. This action comes as the authority takes steps against the platform’s operator, raising concerns over the alleged facilitation of prohibited gambling activities. According to reporting by Index.hu, this regulatory intervention could lead to additional enforcement, depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The Hungarian authority clarified that these restrictions are provisional and tied to the active inquiry, emphasizing that the ban will persist only until a definitive, legally binding verdict is reached. While access for local users has been restricted, authorities noted that individuals could circumvent the block by using virtual private networks (VPNs). No specific timeline for the investigation’s conclusion has been made public.
Portugal Moves to Ban Polymarket After Surge in Election Bets
In Portugal, the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ) has ordered Polymarket to exit the market within 48 hours. This directive came in response to a sharp rise in betting volume surrounding the Jan. 18 presidential election. Rádio Renascença reported that wagered amounts on this event surpassed €103 million ($120 million).
Citing Polymarket’s lack of a Portuguese betting license, SRIJ concluded its operations violate local gambling laws. Under Portugal’s online gaming framework established in 2015, only sports betting, casino games, and horse racing are sanctioned, with outright bans on wagers tied to political events. Although Portuguese users can still access Polymarket at present, authorities have signaled that guidance to internet service providers could soon follow to restrict entry.
Ongoing Legal Actions and Global Regulatory Environment
Polymarket has contended with escalating global regulatory scrutiny. The platform, established in 2020, is now restricted or blocked in more than 30 territories, including Singapore, Russia, France, and, most recently, Ukraine. Ukraine’s regulator recently categorized the platform as running bookmaking operations and indicated that future access for users will only occur if the operator secures an official license.
In the United States, the platform has become the subject of civil enforcement legal proceedings. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed suit to halt Polymarket’s operations in the state, stating in its complaint: “a declaration and injunction to stop Polymarket from offering unlicensed wagering in violation of Nevada law.”
Polymarket returned to the US market in December 2025 after nearly four years of absence. It had previously agreed to a January 2022 settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which accused the platform of trading market violations.
A separate legal dispute involves a US federal judge’s temporary block on Tennessee authorities from preventing Kalshi, another prediction market operator, from offering event-based contracts in the state. The order, signed by US District Judge Aleta Trauger, prevents the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council and the state attorney general from classifying Kalshi’s products as illegal sports betting while the matter remains in court.
Global Regulatory Response Overview
| Country | Regulator | Action Taken | Details / Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary | Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities | Temporary block | Block in place until final legal decision; VPN access still possible |
| Portugal | SRIJ | Ban; 48-hour exit order | Following €103 million+ in election bets |
| Ukraine | PlayCity | Block | Only licensed betting allowed going forward |
| United States (Nevada) | NGCB | Civil enforcement lawsuit | Alleged unlicensed wagering by Polymarket |
- Author
Daniel Williams
