Yigit Taha OZTURK 
Singapore has blocked access to the cryptocurrency-based prediction platform Polymarket as part of its strict measures against unauthorized gambling platforms.
Why Was Polymarket Blocked?
On January 12, several users in Singapore reported issues accessing Polymarket. When attempting to enter the site, users encountered a warning citing the Gambling Control Act 2022, which prohibits betting with unlicensed operators.
Alex Zuo, Vice President of Investment and Custody at Cobo Global, shared on X:
“Polymarket is officially defined as a gambling website in Singapore. If you want to place a bet, you can only go to a state-owned gambling company. Otherwise, you will face fines and imprisonment.”
GRA and Gambling Laws
Users trying to access the site are met with the following message from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA):
“You have attempted to access an illegal gambling site hosted by an unlicensed gambling service provider. Singapore Pools is the only licensed online gambling operator in Singapore.”
The GRA was established on August 1, 2022, by restructuring the Casino Regulatory Authority to oversee all forms of gambling under a single regulatory body.
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Polymarket operates on the Polygon blockchain, allowing users to bet on global events using USD Coin (USDC) as the primary currency.
As of January 1, enforcement authority over illegal gambling activities has been transferred from the GRA to the Singapore Police Force. According to a statement on the GRA website, individuals engaging in unlawful gambling may face fines of up to 500,000 Singapore dollars and imprisonment for up to 7 years. Repeat offenders may receive fines of up to 700,000 Singapore dollars and 10 years of imprisonment.
In a December 30 statement, the GRA revealed that since 2015, over 3,800 gambling websites and 145,000 transactions totaling 37 million Singapore dollars have been blocked.
Polymarket’s Regulatory Challenges
Polymarket has faced regulatory issues in the past:
- In 2022, the U.S. CFTC fined Polymarket $1.4 million for operating an unregistered derivatives trading platform, which led the platform to block U.S. users.
- In November 2024, the platform blocked users in France following reports of an investigation by French authorities regarding compliance with gambling laws.
Despite these challenges, Polymarket continues to see significant activity. In the first days of 2025, the platform recorded a trading volume of $431 million. Its largest market, the 2025 Super Bowl Championship, has attracted over $15 million in wagers, according to Dune Analytics.
Polymarket and the GRA have not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
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