As of late December 2025, the short answer is no. Polymarket is officially and permanently banned in Ontario. While the platform remains accessible in other Canadian provinces, Ontario stands alone in its aggressive regulatory stance against the site.1
If you are a “Polymarket Bro” in Toronto or Ottawa, here is the essential breakdown of the legal battle and your current access status.
The April 2025 OSC Settlement
The definitive end of Polymarket in Ontario came on April 14, 2025, when the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) approved a major settlement with the platform’s operators.
- The Violation: The OSC ruled that Polymarket was offering “binary options” to retail investors without a license. Under Ontario law, any contract with a yes/no outcome and a maturity of less than 30 days is a prohibited derivative.2
- The Penalty: Polymarket agreed to pay a $200,000 CAD administrative penalty plus an additional $25,000 for investigation costs.
- The Ban: The settlement includes a permanent ban on Polymarket offering its services to Ontario residents and a two-year market ban (lasting until 2027) on the companies operating the platform.
Current Experience for Ontario Users
Because you are in Ontario, the Polymarket interface will likely identify your location and restrict your account.
- Blocked Region Status: In Polymarket’s official documentation, Ontario (ON) is listed as a specifically “Blocked Region” alongside restricted countries like the US, UK, and France.
- “Close-Only” Mode: If you had funds in your account before the ban, you are generally allowed to log in only to close your positions and withdraw your USDC.3 You are blocked from buying any new “Yes” or “No” shares.
- The VPN Warning: While some users attempt to bypass the block using a VPN to appear as if they are in Alberta or British Columbia, this is a violation of the Terms of Service. Following the late December 2025 security updates, Polymarket has improved its detection of Ontario-based IP addresses.
Comparison: Ontario vs. The Rest of Canada
Ontario is currently the only province that has taken this level of enforcement action.4
| Region | Status (Dec 2025) | Regulatory Authority |
| Ontario | Permanently Banned | Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) |
| Alberta | Available | Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) |
| British Columbia | Available | BC Securities Commission (BCSC) |
| Quebec | Available | AMF (Autorité des marchés financiers) |
Note: While available in other provinces, all Canadians are technically subject to the federal 2017 “Binary Options Ban,” but most provincial regulators have not yet enforced it as strictly as the OSC.
What This Means for 2026
If you are based in Ontario, you should not attempt to deposit new funds into Polymarket. The OSC has made it clear that they are monitoring for “circumvention” of the ban.
Legal Tip: If you are a realtor or business owner in Ontario (like many of our users), be aware that promotingPolymarketor using affiliate links while based in the province could expose you to personal scrutiny from the OSC under “solicitation” rules.
