Polymarket's Secret Chinese Growth Despite Gambling Ban

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-02-18

Here's something interesting that's happening right under the radar. Polymarket, a major prediction market platform, is making a serious play for Chinese users. And we're talking about a country where online gambling is completely illegal. It's a bold move, to say the least. Justin Wang, part of their Asia strategy team, recently spilled some details. He told a publication they're doing "everything possible" to better serve their Chinese customers. His exact words? "China is becoming a very important geography" for them. That's a pretty clear signal of intent. ### How Polymarket Is Courting Chinese Users So, what does "everything possible" actually look like? It's not just talk. The company is taking concrete steps to make their platform accessible and appealing. They're building a dedicated team and tailoring their product. - They're actively hiring Mandarin-speaking customer service reps. That's a direct line to user support. - They're providing specialized support for Chinese market makers. These are the folks who help create liquidity. - They're developing a full Chinese-language version of the Polymarket site itself. - They're creating prediction markets that are culturally relevant. For example, they recently added bets related to the Lunar New Year celebrations. It's a full-court press. They're not just hoping users show up; they're actively removing barriers and creating reasons for them to engage. ### The Billion-Dollar Question: How Are They Doing It? This is where it gets tricky. China has a Great Firewall. It actively blocks access to sites like Polymarket and its competitor, Kalshi. So, how are users getting on? The answer is as simple as it is common: Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs. People are using these tools to bypass government restrictions. Wang admitted he doesn't know the exact number of China-based users. But he did drop a jaw-dropper about the scale. He noted that the monthly trading volume from their Asian customers is "in the region of hundreds of millions of dollars." Let that sink in. We're talking about potential volumes reaching a billion dollars annually, all from a region where their service is officially banned. ### A Wider Pattern of Restrictions It's worth noting that China isn't the only country saying no to Polymarket. The platform is already banned in several other major nations, including Australia, New Zealand, France, and Portugal. This context makes their focus on China even more striking. They're navigating a complex global patchwork of regulations. Wang, who left Stanford University to join Polymarket, also pointed to the global Chinese diaspora as a key part of their growth strategy. This suggests they're thinking beyond just mainland China, targeting Chinese-speaking communities worldwide. So, what's the big picture here? You have a fast-growing company strategically investing in a market that, on paper, doesn't exist for them. They're betting on user demand overcoming legal barriers. It's a high-stakes gamble playing out in real-time. The volumes hint at significant underground activity, and Polymarket is leaning into it, quietly building its base one user at a time. Only time will tell if this strategy pays off or leads to greater regulatory scrutiny.