Polymarket’s X Account Withheld in India Over Legal Request

The X (formerly Twitter) account of offshore prediction market platform Polymarket has been withheld in India in response to a legal request. This development follows government actions against online betting platforms that officials state violate the Promotion and Restriction of Online Gaming Act.

What Happened

The X account of Polymarket, an offshore prediction market platform, has been withheld in India, according to Moneycontrol. This action was taken in response to a legal request from Indian authorities. Officials have asserted that platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi are in violation of the Promotion and Restriction of Online Gaming Act, which was formally notified on April 22, 2026. Prior to this, the websites of both Polymarket and Kalshi had already been withheld in India, while their respective X accounts had remained accessible, as reported by Moneycontrol.

While Polymarket’s official X account is now inaccessible in India, certain related accounts and the official accounts of Kalshi and other associated platforms reportedly continue to be available. The Indian government initially signaled its intention to take action against such platforms in April 2026. However, enforcing these restrictions has presented challenges, as Polymarket’s X account can still be accessed in India via virtual private networks (VPNs), a matter officials were examining for intervention, according to Krishnan in April.

Key Details

• Polymarket’s official X account was withheld in India following a legal request, as reported by Moneycontrol on November 5, 2026.
• Indian officials contend that platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi violate the Promotion and Restriction of Online Gaming Act, notified on April 22, 2026, according to Moneycontrol.
• Both Polymarket and Kalshi’s websites had previously been withheld in India, with their X accounts remaining accessible until the recent action against Polymarket’s official account.
• Despite the restrictions, Polymarket’s X account can reportedly still be accessed in India using a virtual private network (VPN).

Why It Matters

This action against Polymarket’s X account underscores the Indian government’s ongoing efforts to regulate and restrict online betting platforms operating within its jurisdiction. The withholding of the X account, following the earlier blocking of the platform’s website, highlights the regulatory challenges faced by offshore prediction markets in adhering to local laws. This move reflects a broader governmental stance, first indicated in April 2026, against platforms deemed non-compliant with the Promotion and Restriction of Online Gaming Act.

The continued accessibility of Polymarket’s X account via VPNs, and the reported ability of both Polymarket and Kalshi to onboard Indian users despite official warnings, points to the complexities of digital enforcement in a globalized online environment. These platforms have reportedly attracted significant trading volumes, with a May 7, 2026, Indian Premier League match attracting $27.7 million in trading volume on Kalshi and Polymarket. The incident also highlights the tension between these startups’ global expansion strategies and local legal frameworks, as they prioritize market penetration while emphasizing compliance with US laws in other markets.

What’s Next

Moneycontrol has reached out to Polymarket for comment on the matter, and any response received will be used to update their reporting. The Indian government continues to examine methods to intervene regarding access through VPNs, as stated by Krishnan in April 2026, indicating potential future regulatory developments aimed at further restricting access to such platforms.