Polymarket has regained the necessary regulatory approval to function in the US as of September; however, the company concluded 2025 without fully launching its prediction market application, leaving it limited to an invite-only waitlist.

Access to the US platform remains restricted, with participants needing an invitation to take part.

A representative for the company informed Sportico that Polymarket is actively working through the waitlist, yet failed to disclose a specific timeline for public access or elucidate the reasons for the delays.

This restricted access occurs amidst a growing competitive landscape in prediction markets. Competitor Kalshi experienced record high betting volumes during the Christmas week. Additionally, numerous sportsbook operators unveiled their prediction market applications in December, expanding consumer choices during a season of heightened engagement.

The timing has meant Polymarket was unable to engage with the 2025 NFL regular season, which has just wrapped up. This absence sidelined the platform during one of the most prolific intervals for sports trading.

In July 2025, Polymarket acquired QCEX, a prediction market exchange and clearinghouse. Following this, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission granted Polymarket permission to recommence operations in the US in September after a three-year suspension stemming from its prior unregistered operations. The commission governs the majority of prediction markets under the Commodity Exchange Act, which is distinct from state-regulated sports betting frameworks.

Throughout its hiatus from the US, Polymarket expanded its international user base and initiated promotional efforts for a domestic return that began in August.

Advertisements on Meta declared: “BREAKING: Legal football trading is set to launch in ALL 50 states this fall” and “BIG NEWS Texas. Trading on football will be LEGAL this fall.”

On September 26, Polymarket’s Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Modabber shared on X: “Yes, I was just testing this U.S. app we’re about to launch, it’s smooth! Coming soon.” Four days later, he added, “Fully focused on the US app launch in the upcoming weeks!”

On December 5, a betting market on Polymarket’s international app titled “Will Polymarket U.S. go live in 2025?” concluded affirmatively despite the US platform remaining invite-only and Modabber labeling it as a “beta.” Polymarket uses a cryptocurrency-based voting framework to resolve markets on its global interface, hence the result was not ascertained by the organization directly.

The market regulations stipulated a “yes” conclusion if “a real-money trade … publicly executed on a regulated, Polymarket-operated Designated Contract Market (DCM)” transpired, a condition that could encompass trades registered prior to a complete launch.

Polymarket continues to be largely inaccessible in the US, and the cause of the delay remains undisclosed. This scenario starkly contrasts with Kalshi’s developments, where a publicly unveiled international expansion has yet to unfold as anticipated.