Technology

How to access Polymarket in the UK 2026: I tried it – Here’s what went wrong (and the VPN workaround that almost worked)

Ryan Brothwell 10 February 2026 5 min read

As a fintech journalist based in London, I’ve followed Polymarket’s rise closely – the platform that’s turned prediction markets into a multi-billion-dollar phenomenon.

I am not the only one. Increasingly, journalists are looking to the platform and rivals like Kalshi to see where public sentiment is trending. Because these markets are susceptible to insider trading, it is also possible to get a scoop on a potential story that hasn’t broken yet.

Of course many people, including thosuands of users in the UK, are using the platform to bet with events like UK political futures drawing millions in volume. According to Semrush analytics for polymarket.com, the United Kingdom accounts for about 3.89% of total global traffic. This translates to roughly 665,400 monthly visits from UK IPs (based on overall site traffic volumes in the millions).

With this in mind, I wanted to see if I could actually open an account and place a small trade from the UK in February 2026.

Why Polymarket blocks the UK in 2026

Short answer: Polymarket remains blocked in the UK due to Gambling Commission rules and lack of licensing (it’s on their restricted list of 33 countries, alongside France, Germany, and others). Direct access from a UK IP triggers a geoblock message: “Depositing and trading unavailable in your region.”

That said it’s still possible to view the site without placing bets through a view-only mode.

Of course the obvious way around this, and what many users do, is attempt to bypass this with a VPN. It didn’t go smoothly, but I learned a lot about what works (and what still fails) in 2026. This is my honest, first-person report.

Important disclaimers before you try

This is not financial, legal, or gambling advice – I’m a journalist sharing an experiment.
Polymarket’s terms prohibit bypassing geo-restrictions; doing so risks account bans, frozen funds, or worse.
UK regulators view prediction markets as unlicensed betting – using workarounds could skirt laws.
Crypto trading involves high risk of loss; start tiny if at all. Gains may have HMRC implications (betting winnings are tax-free, but crypto handling isn’t).
Must be 18+. Laws change fast – check official sources like the UK Gambling Commission and Polymarket docs.

My experiment: Trying to open a Polymarket account from the UK

First off, I started the process clean with no VPN.

Went to polymarket.com. The homepage loaded, markets visible (e.g., high-volume ones on UK politics).
Clicked “Sign Up” or tried Wallet Connect. This led to an Immediate block banner. Couldn’t create an account or deposit USDC.

Frustrated but curious, I switched to a popular NordVPN, which is frequently ranked #1 for Polymarket unblocking in 2026 tests.

I then connected to an Ireland server (closest supported country – low latency, reliable per user reports). Cleared cookies/cache.
Reloaded and the block was gone, and the full site appeared. Signed up via Google (no KYC for non-US). Connected MetaMask on Polygon easily.
Tried depositing via MoonPay or bridging USDC. This is where it faltered. Payment methods flagged as UK-origin; transaction errors popped up. Bridging a tiny test amount worked technically, but I stopped short of real trades fearing detection.

Bottom line: Browsing and signing up often succeed via VPN, but deposits/trades frequently carry detection risks. Polymarket’s compliance tech has improved, and while it’s clear that signing up and betting can be achieved with the right combination of VPNs and wallet accounts, it feels increasingly risky – especially when using real money.

Best VPNs that worked (or came close) in my tests and 2026 reviews

From my attempt and cross-referencing current guides:

NordVPN – Top performer. Ireland/Netherlands servers unblocked reliably; fast for trading.
Surfshark – Affordable, good UK-nearby options (e.g., Netherlands).
ExpressVPN – Strong privacy, consistent bypass but pricier.

Connect to Ireland, Netherlands, Canada (non-Ontario), or similar allowed spots. Avoid US/France/Germany servers.

Is it worth it? My final take

The experiment was eye-opening. Polymarket’s crowd wisdom is addictive, but UK barriers are real and tightening, with bans in Europe increasingly being reported in the news.

As a result, I didn’t place a bet as it felt like there were too many red flags. If you’re set on it, treat it as high-risk entertainment. Otherwise, UK-licensed betting sites offer safer (if less diverse) alternatives.