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Polymarket in Australia (2026) | Blocked by ACMA — Why & How Aussies Access Prediction Markets

Polymarket was blocked in Australia in August 2025 after ACMA ordered ISPs to restrict access. Full breakdown of the ban, what triggered it, and alternatives for Australian users.

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Polymarket has been blocked in Australia since August 2025. This is one of the stricter blocks globally — enforced at the ISP level by government order, not just by Polymarket’s own geoblocking. The ban was triggered by a specific incident: Polymarket paying Australian influencers to promote election betting.

Current Status: Blocked (ISP-Level)

On August 13, 2025, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) formally directed all Australian ISPs to block access to Polymarket. The platform was declared a prohibited service under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA).

This is a dual block: Australian ISPs block the site on ACMA’s orders, and Polymarket also geoblocks Australian IPs through its own system.

What Happened: The Full Timeline

DateEvent
April 2025Australian media reports Polymarket is paying Instagram and TikTok influencers (audiences up to ~1 million) to promote Australian federal election betting markets
May 2025ACMA investigation becomes public
July 2, 2025ACMA issues formal warning to Polymarket’s parent company (Adventure One QSS, Inc.), stating the platform provides “a prohibited and unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to customers physically present in Australia”
August 13, 2025ACMA directs ISPs to block Polymarket. Platform added to national gambling blacklist

The influencer marketing campaign was the trigger, but the underlying legal basis is the Interactive Gambling Act — which prohibits unlicensed offshore gambling services from offering services to Australians.

The Regulatory Picture

ACMA (Primary Enforcer)

ACMA is Australia’s communications and media regulator. Under the IGA, it has the power to:

  • Investigate unlicensed gambling services targeting Australians
  • Issue formal warnings to operators
  • Direct ISPs to block access to prohibited sites
  • Polymarket was formally classified as a wagering service requiring an Australian state/territory licence — which it doesn’t hold

ASIC

ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) has not directly acted against Polymarket, but its regulations are relevant:

  • Binary options are banned for retail clients in Australia (extended through October 2031)
  • Prediction markets resemble binary options — they pay a fixed amount if a condition is met
  • Under the proposed Digital Assets Framework Bill 2025, ASIC would oversee consumer protection for crypto platforms

Australian Alternatives

PlatformTypeLicensedNotes
Betfair ExchangeBetting exchangeYes (NT licence)Closest to Polymarket — peer-to-peer, trade in/out. ~5% commission.
SportsbetBookmakerYesWide sports coverage, but fixed odds against the house
bet365BookmakerYesLarge market range, traditional bookmaker model
TABBookmakerYesAustralia’s national betting operator
LadbrokesBookmakerYesSports and racing focus

Key limitations vs Polymarket:

  • No crypto/politics/economics/weather markets (Australian law restricts event betting categories)
  • Traditional bookmakers limit or ban winning accounts
  • Betfair is the only exchange model, but with higher fees (~5%) and decreasing liquidity
  • All require full KYC (identity verification)

Accessing Polymarket from Australia

The Australian block operates at both the ISP and platform level. Polymarket restrictions are based solely on IP address — there is no KYC or identity verification on the platform. Some users in restricted regions access international platforms by routing their internet connection through a different geographic location. This is a common practice for accessing global financial and information services.

If you did access Polymarket, you’d need USDC. Australian crypto exchanges include:

ExchangeAUD DepositsNotes
CoinSpotBank transfer, PayID, BPAYLargest Australian exchange
SwyftxBank transfer, PayIDCompetitive fees
Independent ReserveBank transfer, PayIDEstablished, institutional focus
CoinbaseBank transferGlobal platform, Coinbase Connect works with Polymarket

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polymarket available in Australia?
No. Polymarket has been blocked in Australia since August 13, 2025. ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) ordered all Australian ISPs to block access after classifying Polymarket as a prohibited interactive gambling service.
Why was Polymarket blocked in Australia?
ACMA determined that Polymarket provided a prohibited and unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to Australian customers under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The investigation was triggered by Polymarket paying Australian social media influencers to promote election betting markets.
Is the Australia block at the ISP level?
Yes. Unlike most Polymarket blocks which are at the platform level, the Australian block is enforced by ISPs on ACMA's direction. Australian ISPs were ordered to block Polymarket's domains and APIs on August 13, 2025.
What triggered the ACMA investigation?
In April 2025, Australian media reported that Polymarket was paying Instagram and TikTok influencers with audiences up to 1 million followers to promote Australian federal election betting markets to Australian audiences. This prompted the ACMA investigation.
What are alternatives to Polymarket in Australia?
Australia has a regulated betting market. Sportsbet, bet365, TAB, and Ladbrokes are licensed bookmakers. Betfair Exchange operates in Australia as a peer-to-peer betting exchange. However, none offer the same range of prediction markets as Polymarket.
Can I access Polymarket from Australia?
The Australian block operates at both the ISP and platform level. Polymarket restrictions are based solely on IP address — there is no KYC or identity verification. Some users in restricted regions access international platforms by routing their internet connection through a different geographic location.