South Korea Probes Polymarket Users in First-Ever Illegal Gambling Case
South Korean police are investigating Polymarket users for illegal gambling, marking the country's first case of its kind.Summary
South Korea's enforcement authorities have launched what is described as the country's first illegal gambling probe targeting users of the decentralized prediction market Polymarket. The investigation, led by Gangwon Provincial Police at the request of the National Police Agency, marks a notable widening of regulatory scrutiny over crypto-enabled prediction platforms. Under Article 246 of the Criminal Act, individuals found to be involved in gambling can face fines of up to 10 million won (approximately $6,500). The probe aligns with a broader global crackdown on prediction markets, as multiple jurisdictions have moved to block or restrict Polymarket, including Singapore, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil, and Indonesia. The timing coincides with domestic political developments, including President Lee Jae-myung's election victory, and ongoing discourse around governance and compliance. Polymarket has signaled it is considering stronger identity-verification measures to align with Know Your Customer standards. The case underscores the regulatory divergence that international platforms must navigate and highlights the importance of jurisdictional risk assessment for operators serving Korean users.
(Source：Crypto Breaking News)