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Polymarket is taking early steps to enter Japan after appointing Mike Eidlin to lead its local business.
The prediction market platform is targeting Japanese government approval by 2030, which points to a long regulatory push rather than an imminent launch.
Japan Gambling Rules Remain Main Approval Hurdle
Polymarket lets users trade on real-world outcomes across politics, sports, crypto, finance, geopolitics and culture. In Japan, however, prediction markets face a difficult legal path because gambling rules remain strict.
The platform currently blocks betting functions for local users and says those limits are due to regulatory requirements. That makes any formal Japan rollout dependent on whether authorities treat event-based contracts as gambling, financial products or something else.
Mike Eidlin to Lead Japan Regulatory Push
Eidlin is expected to lead Polymarket’s Japan effort as the company prepares regulatory outreach and local market development.
Eidlin previously served as Japan head at the crypto project Jupiter, according to his LinkedIn profile. His role is expected to focus on building Polymarket’s presence in the country, engaging with policymakers and helping the company find a legal path for prediction markets.
2030 Target Points to Years-Long Rollout
The 2030 approval target shows Polymarket is not preparing for a quick launch. Japan remains a large potential market, but the company would likely need clear approval before offering local users full access to event-based trading.
The move also comes as prediction markets face closer scrutiny in several jurisdictions. Regulators are still weighing how to classify platforms that let users trade contracts tied to elections, sports, macro events and other real-world outcomes.
For now, the appointment signals intent rather than a confirmed operating launch. Polymarket wants a regulated path into Japan, but the timeline suggests the company expects years of legal and policy work before any full rollout.
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Fhumulani Lukoto
Cryptocurrency Journalist
Fhumulani Lukoto holds a Bachelors Degree in Journalism enabling her to become the writer she is today. Her passion for cryptocurrency and bitcoin started in 2021 when she began producing content in the space. A naturally inquisitive person, she dove head first into all things crypto to gain the huge wealth of knowledge she has today. Based out of Gauteng, South Africa, Fhumulani is a core member of the content team at Coin Insider.