# South Korea Blocks Polymarket Over Gambling Concerns

*Author: David Christopher*
*Published: Aug 18, 2026*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/de/read/news/south-korea-blocks-polymarket-over-gambling-concerns*

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[Coindesk reported that](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/08/18/south-korea-joins-more-than-30-jurisdictions-restricting-polymarket-access) South Korea has become the latest country to shut off access to Polymarket over concerns that prediction markets amount to illegal gambling.

### What’s the scoop?
- **The Block:** South Korea's Media and Communications Standards Commission [voted Tuesday to block domestic access to Polymarket](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260818123500017), concluding that its prediction markets facilitate illegal gambling.
- **Polymarket’s Defense:** Polymarket argued that it had removed Korean-language services, does not accept Korean won, and uses non-custodial smart contracts rather than directly holding customer funds. Regulators rejected that argument, citing Polymarket's role in creating markets, setting trading rules, providing settlement infrastructure, and collecting fees.
- **Enforcement Widens:** The decision follows a review that [began in July at the request of Korean police and gambling authorities](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/08/18/south-korea-joins-more-than-30-jurisdictions-restricting-polymarket-access). Police have also reportedly opened investigations into local Polymarket users over suspected illegal gambling.
- **Zooming Out:** South Korea now joins more than 30 jurisdictions restricting Polymarket, as governments grow increasingly hostile to prediction markets, treating them as gambling products instead of financial markets.