South Korea blocked access to Polymarket on August 18, with the Korea Communications Standards Commission classifying the blockchain-based prediction platform as illegal gambling under domestic law. A parallel criminal investigation was opened in June 2026 by the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency against users who had placed bets on local elections. Penalties for illegal gambling participation include fines of up to 10 million won, approximately $8,400. South Korea now joins more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide that have restricted or outright banned access to Polymarket.
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