South Korea's media regulator said on August 18 it approved an access block on Polymarket, ruling that the prediction platform's services amount to illegal gambling under local law. The decision follows months of scrutiny by police and the watchdog, and it adds South Korea to a growing list of countries cracking down on the platform.
Why South Korea acted
The Korea Media and Communications Commission announced that its Communications Deliberation Subcommittee reviewed Polymarket and approved the corrective measure. The commission said the platform's structure, combined with wagers on events outside users' control, encourages gambling behavior. That finding came after South Korean police began investigating Polymarket users on suspicion of gambling in late May, and the watchdog opened its own review on July 6.
The commission didn't specify when the block would take effect, but the ruling means domestic users will lose access to the site.
Polymarket's jurisdiction argument rejected
Polymarket argued it was outside South Korean jurisdiction after removing Korean-language services and disabling payments in Korean won. The commission rejected that, stating technical changes don't remove the obligation to comply with domestic law. The company has not said whether it will appeal the order.
A widening global crackdown
South Korea's move follows a similar block in France last month, where authorities cited concerns about user losses and potential betting manipulation. Australia and Germany imposed access restrictions on Polymarket in 2025 after classifying it as an illegal gambling service. More than 30 countries, including Italy, Indonesia, and Argentina, have also blocked or restricted the platform.
Baltimore takes legal action
On August 13, Baltimore officials, including Mayor Brandon M. Scott, filed separate lawsuits against Polymarket and Kalshi, accusing them of offering sports betting without the licenses required in Maryland. The complaints allege both companies presented their products in ways that could leave consumers with the impression they are legal and properly regulated. The city argues that calling them event contracts or prediction-market trades doesn't change their underlying nature. Baltimore is seeking penalties, consumer restitution, disgorgement, and other legal remedies.
Kalshi's separate fight
Kalshi is also facing a separate legal battle with New York officials over its operations in that state. That case, along with the Baltimore lawsuits, is still moving through the courts. Polymarket now faces the South Korean block, the French restriction, and the Baltimore litigation, with no clear end to any of them.
