Polymarket's Legal Status in California as of November 2026

As of November 2, 2026, Polymarket is legal in California. The Polymarket app and its website, polymarket.us, operate as a licensed prediction market regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an agency of the federal government. New users who utilize the Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS upon registration will receive a $25 bonus trading credit after making a deposit of $10 or more. This credit can be used to trade event contracts, such as the Bears vs. Seahawks Monday Night Football game happening that night.

To be eligible for this promotion, individuals must be U.S. residents physically located in California or any state where Polymarket operates, with a minimum legal age of 18. Users must ensure that the qualifying $10 deposit is used before trading credits expire, which is 30 days post-issuance.

Once new users complete the registration and deposit, the non-withdrawable $25 trading bonus becomes available for use solely within the Polymarket platform. Should any earnings arise from settled trades, these earnings can convert into withdrawable cash. In the event of a trading loss, the deposited funds will cover the loss first, while remaining bonus credits will still be usable for additional trades. However, any unused credits will be removed from the account after they expire.

It is worth noting that certain markets available on the global Polymarket platform may not be accessible through the U.S. app. For additional terms and conditions, users can refer to Polymarket.us.

Besides Polymarket, other prediction market apps are available in California. For instance, Kalshi offers a welcome bonus of $55 for new users who engage in $25 or more in trades. However, sports contracts remain unavailable in states like Michigan, Nevada, and Washington. New users wishing to claim Kalshi’s sign-up bonus must be physically present in a state where Kalshi operates and complete identity verification. Polymarket's legal operation in California means that it simplifies the process of trading on various events, such as the outcomes of sports events.