Polymarket Age Requirement: Minimum Age to Use Polymarket

ByFrank Ammirante

Last Updated on Apr 23, 2026

I wasn’t surprised to find I needed to meet a Polymarket age requirement to be able to use their prediction markets service. It’s currently rolling out to US residents, having already been available in numerous other countries.

 

In this guide, I’ll explain more about the prediction markets at Polymarket and how they work. You’ll find out how you can access Polymarket if you’re aged at least 18 years, although you should check to confirm you’re not in a state that has a higher minimum limit. You can also find instructions on how to join their waitlist.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Use Polymarket?

The official minimum age to join Polymarket in the US is 18 years. However, do note that some states might have their own rules on minimum age requirements. Furthermore, a few states - including Massachusetts and Tennessee - are considering trying to prohibit access to the prediction markets service even for those who are old enough to use it.

That’s likely one of the reasons why some online searches produce answers to the minimum age question that give the minimum as 21 years. Having said that, I’m waiting for Polymarket to fully roll out in the US at the time of writing. The terms and conditions on the current Polymarket website give the minimum age as 18, so I would expect that to be confirmed once it goes fully live.

Put simply, I’d recommend checking that your state doesn’t have a higher age limit in place. If it does, that will always supersede any requirements laid down by any website or service - Polymarket included.

What Is Polymarket, Anyway?

Polymarket offers a variety of prediction markets on many different topics. The US service looks like it will also get underway by offering Polymarket sports prediction markets, but will expand to add various others as well. Polymarket has confirmed this via some screenshots in the App Store and Google Play Store for its apps.

Here are some of the prediction markets you’ll find on their international website:

  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Crypto
  • Climate
  • Economic

Those should provide you with a better sense of what is to come at Polymarket. Of course, you’ll need to be sure you meet their Polymarket age requirement before you can create an account and get started. When you get access from the waitlist, make sure that is the first thing you check before going any further.

How Polymarket Works

Here’s the basic idea. Let’s say you’re interested in Polymarket election predictions, which could be on a countrywide or state basis. You might be interested in the probability of a particular person becoming the Democratic nominee for the 2028 Presidential election.

At the time I wrote this guide, Gavin Newsom was seen as the most likely person to win the ticket. The following table shows the current situation for the question, “Will Gavin Newsom become the Democratic Presidential Nominee for 2028?”

Edit
Event ContractPercentage Backing Each OptionCost per Event Contract
Yes (he will be the nominee)25%$0.25
No (he won’t be the nominee)75%$0.75

This means the price for each event contract directly correlates with the percentage of participants who believe that outcome will occur. However, if you choose the correct outcome, you will always receive the same thing - a $1 payment for each event contract you purchased.

So, for example, if you back the Yes outcome, you’ll pay 25 cents per contract. You might decide to buy 50 of those, totaling $12.50. Double check any Polymarket fees that could apply before you go ahead - that’s always a sensible step. If you’re proven correct, you will receive $1 for each of 50 event contracts, totaling $50.
This gives you a profit of $37.50, notwithstanding potential fees (although they are small).

How to Access Polymarket

You can visit their website by following one of the links on this page. You can then follow these steps:

  • Join their waitlist by entering your phone number in the space provided
  • Click the submit button
  • Wait to receive an official invitation

They don’t provide any details on how long you might need to wait for an invite, but I know they’re rolling out the service now. They also have mobile apps available for iOS and Android users.

Will There Be Different Ways to Sign up to Polymarket in the US?

I checked the main website and noted three ways to sign up for an account there:

  • Via email
  • Via your Google account
  • Via a valid crypto wallet

It’s possible the same may apply to US residents. There may be other updates in the near future as Polymarket gets fully rolled out. However, it’s likely there will be some differences in place to ensure compliance with US regulations.

Key Points to Note If You’re Thinking About Joining Polymarket

I’ve come across two things I want to share with you, as they’re important to know before you join the US waitlist. In short, you should be aware of state laws where you live - and that you’ll be asked to prove your age.

You’ll Need to Complete KYC Requirements to Use Polymarket

I found that some countries didn’t go through this step, but if you’re going to join the waitlist and download the Polymarket app in the US, you’ll need to complete KYC - the Know Your Customer feature. You’re likely to be asked to supply the following information:

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Your Social Security Number

In short, you can expect to be asked to provide an official Government-issued ID before you can use Polymarket in the US. Typical documents include a state driver’s license or a US passport.

Don’t Be Tempted to Use a VPN to Disguise Your Location

No matter where you are, VPN usage is against the rules at Polymarket - and understandably so. The good news is that Polymarket is far more widely available across the US than other sites that trade on sporting events that you might be familiar with.

That said, individual states might still prohibit access to Polymarket. While the prediction market service is legal from a federal point of view, certain states might decide to prohibit it - or have laws in place already that would exclude their residents from using it.

The Pros and Cons of Polymarket

Prediction markets give you a different way to participate in outcomes for all manner of topic areas, from sports to the entertainment industry, and even through to politics and the weather. I’ve compiled some pros and cons of using Polymarket for predicting outcomes, so you have a fair idea of what to expect.

Pros

  • Minimum age is 18 years
  • Polymarket legal across US
  • Lots of prediction markets
  • Predict outcomes in sports, elections, and more

Con

  • Slow-moving waitlist

Make Sure You’re Old Enough to Use Polymarket

If you like participating in sports or discussing other topics in areas such as politics, economics, or even climate change, you might be interested to learn more about the prediction markets provided at Polymarket. You can visit the official website by clicking on any of the links I’ve included here to see for yourself what it’s like. You can also add your phone number to join the waitlist via the US site.

If you’re over 18 years of age, you’ll be able to sign up if your state allows Polymarket to operate. Just be sure you comply with all the requirements to confirm your age and address. Once you’ve completed this step, you’ll be able to participate in various prediction markets offered at Polymarket.

Polymarket Age FAQ

[tgd_faq id="243102" name="polymarket_age_faq"]

Author

Frank Ammirante

Frank Ammirante is a Contributor at The Game Day. You will also see his work at RotoBaller, FantasyPros, ProFootballNetwork, and much more. Frank is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writer's Association while maintaining an active presence within the community. He has competed in industry contests like the Tout Wars, Scott Fish Bowl, The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational, and more. He's got a diverse sporting background, but specializes in football and baseball.

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