Is Polymarket legal in Germany? Polymarket & Kalshi under German law
By TomorrowAlpha Editorial Desk · Published · Updated
No. Under Germany's Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) bets on non-sport events such as elections cannot be licensed, and the regulator GGL warns that taking part from Germany is prohibited and can be criminal. Polymarket blocks new trades from Germany. Kalshi does not list Germany as restricted, but that does not make its contracts legal under German law.
At a glance
- Regulator
- Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL)
- Law
- GlüStV 2021, § 3(1) s.4 with § 4(5); § 285 StGB
- Polymarket
- Blocked for new trades
- Kalshi
- Not on its restricted list — still unlicensed in Germany
- Legal option
- Manifold Markets (play money)
What German law says about prediction markets
The GlüStV 2021 allows licensed sports betting only. Bets on other events — elections, politics, entertainment, so-called Gesellschaftswetten — are not licensable at all. The GGL warned against Polymarket by name in September 2025, joined the nine-regulator European statement in June 2026, and on 13 August 2026 clarified that participating in such markets from Germany is impermissible and may be punishable under § 285 of the Criminal Code (participation in illegal gambling).
How to use Polymarket in Germany?
You legally can't. Polymarket restricts new trading from Germany, and circumventing it with a VPN breaks the terms and exposes you to account freezes and German criminal law. You can still read Polymarket odds as information on TomorrowAlpha's live markets, or forecast with play money on Manifold.
Is Kalshi legal in Germany?
Kalshi's October 2026 member agreement does not name Germany as a restricted jurisdiction, so sign-up may technically be possible. But Kalshi holds no German licence, and the GGL's position covers the underlying bets regardless of platform — so trading political or entertainment contracts on Kalshi from Germany carries the same legal risk.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polymarket legal in Germany?
No. Non-sports event bets cannot be licensed under the GlüStV 2021 and the GGL says participation from Germany is prohibited. Polymarket blocks new trades from Germany.
Is Kalshi available in Germany?
Germany is not on Kalshi's restricted list, but Kalshi has no German licence and the GGL treats such contracts as illegal gambling.
Is it illegal to bet on elections in Germany?
Election bets cannot be licensed in Germany; offering or knowingly taking part in unlicensed gambling can be an offence under §§ 284–285 StGB.
Sources
Related guides
Editorial information, not legal or financial advice. Regulations change frequently — last verified 12 Oct 2026.