The Ukrainian government has blocked the crypto betting platform Polymarket for residents of the country. According to regulators, Polymarket lacks the correct permits. In addition, the site offers controversial bets on the war with Russia. That was the final straw for the authorities.
Gambling on war events
On December 10, 2025, the Ukrainian “National Commission for the Regulation of Electronic Communications” made a decision. Internet providers were obliged to block access to Polymarket. The underlying reason for this would be to offer betting without the necessary licenses. As a result, the website has recently become inaccessible within Ukraine.
The local authorities consider the betting platform to be a form of unlicensed online gambling. They do this because users can make bets with their crypto on the outcomes of events. Although this takes place through a market where people buy and sell positions, they legally consider the model as gambling activities. This means that it falls under the laws and regulations of gambling. That is why the provider needs licenses.
In addition to the lack of necessary permits, the bets offered regarding the war in the country were an additional motivation for the blockade. For example, there would have been opportunities for users to take positions predicting which city would fall and when in the war with Russia.
That was something that particularly concerned the Ukrainian authorities. The platform has also recently come under pressure. That happened when an unknown user profited from predictions about the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Polymarket blocked in multiple countries
The current discussion remains whether the betting platform should be considered a market or a gambling site. Ukraine is not the first country to block the website because it does not have the proper licenses to offer gambling. There are now 33 countries in which the platform is partially or completely blocked.
At the same time, Polymarket supports the position that positions are traded with associated outcomes. Therefore, according to them, it should be regarded as a market. In their view, the choices made are therefore not justified.
Under Ukrainian law, it is prohibited by definition to use cryptocurrencies in gambling activities. In addition, according to the Ukrainian gambling and lottery regulators, PlayCity could only be restored if the rules were complied with. The current blockade is intended to protect consumers against illegal gambling sites.
Source: https://newsbit.nl/oekraine-blokkeert-polymarket-door-oorlogsweddenschappen/
