# Best Polymarket alternatives in 2026 — by country

URL: https://tomorrowalpha.com/compare/polymarket-alternatives
Updated: 2026-10-12

The best Polymarket alternative depends on where you live. In the US it is Kalshi (or Polymarket US). In the UK, the closest legal equivalents are UK Gambling Commission-licensed exchanges such as Smarkets, Betfair Exchange and Matchbook. In most of the EU there is no licensed real-money equivalent; Manifold Markets (play money) is the only broadly accessible option.

## At a glance

- **US:** Kalshi, Polymarket US (both CFTC-regulated)
- **UK:** Smarkets, Betfair Exchange, Matchbook (UKGC-licensed)
- **EU:** No licensed equivalent; Manifold (play money)
- **Anywhere:** Manifold Markets, Metaculus (forecasting, no money)

## Polymarket alternatives by country

| Where you live | Polymarket status | Best legal alternative |
| --- | --- | --- |
| United States | Polymarket US available (not Nevada) | Kalshi; Polymarket US |
| United Kingdom | Geo-blocked | Smarkets, Betfair Exchange, Matchbook |
| Germany | Blocked; GGL: non-sports bets unlicensable | Manifold (play money) |
| Switzerland | On Gespa blocklist | Manifold (play money) |
| France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Poland, NL | Blocked or blacklisted | Manifold (play money) |
| Canada | Ontario restricted | Manifold; licensed provincial sportsbooks |
| Australia | ACMA ISP block | Licensed bookmakers; Manifold |
| India | Government block (May 2026) | Manifold (play money) |

## Is there a Polymarket equivalent in the UK?

Yes — betting exchanges. A betting exchange matches buyers and sellers peer-to-peer exactly like Polymarket's order book; the UK simply licenses it as gambling. **Smarkets**, **Betfair Exchange** and **Matchbook** are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and list political and current-events markets alongside sport. Neither Kalshi nor Polymarket holds a UK licence. Details: [prediction markets in the UK](https://tomorrowalpha.com/legal/united-kingdom).

## Kalshi competitors and Polymarket alternatives in the US

Kalshi and Polymarket US are the two largest CFTC-regulated venues. Brokerages such as Robinhood, Coinbase and Crypto.com also offer event contracts through CFTC-regulated exchanges. Compare them in [Kalshi vs Polymarket](https://tomorrowalpha.com/compare/polymarket-vs-kalshi).

## Free alternatives that work everywhere

- **Manifold Markets** — play-money prediction market (Mana), open globally, anyone can create a market. See [what is Manifold Markets](https://tomorrowalpha.com/learn/manifold-markets).
- **Metaculus** — reputation-based forecasting platform, no money involved.
- **TomorrowAlpha** — read live Polymarket and Kalshi odds without an account, wherever you are: [live markets](https://tomorrowalpha.com/markets).

## Can I just use a VPN?

Don't. Polymarket's and Kalshi's terms prohibit circumventing geo-restrictions, accounts can be frozen with funds inside, and in several countries (Germany, Switzerland, Italy) taking part in unlicensed gambling can itself be an offence.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best Polymarket alternative in the UK?

UK Gambling Commission-licensed betting exchanges — Smarkets, Betfair Exchange and Matchbook — are the closest legal equivalents. Polymarket and Kalshi are not available to UK users.

### Who is Kalshi's main competitor?

Polymarket, through both its CFTC-regulated US exchange and its international crypto platform. Brokerages such as Robinhood, Coinbase and Crypto.com also offer event contracts through regulated exchanges.

### Is there a legal Polymarket alternative in the EU?

Not for real money in most member states: nine EU/EEA gambling regulators said in June 2026 that unlicensed prediction markets are illegal in their countries. Manifold Markets (play money) is the widely accessible option.

## Sources

1. [UK Gambling Commission — prediction markets](https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/blog/post/prediction-markets-heres-what-you-need-to-know)
2. [Polymarket geographic restrictions](https://help.polymarket.com/en/articles/13364163-geographic-restrictions)
3. [Kalshi member agreement](https://kalshi.com/docs/kalshi-member-agreement.pdf)
4. [Gespa — joint European statement (17 June 2026)](https://www.gespa.ch/download/pictures/33/vqqy606j9ss18bv1iw621p37i8ept9/26-06-17_medienmitteilung_prognosemaerkte_en.pdf)