Polymarket introduces self-exclusion features and deposit caps to address gambling risks

Polymarket, the crypto-native prediction market that made its name letting people bet on elections and geopolitics, just added something you’d normally associate with DraftKings or FanDuel: responsible gambling tools. The platform rolled out non-revocable deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and a partnership with mental health provider Birches Health. The timing is not coincidental. With over 98% of Polymarket’s trading volume in September coming from sports and multi-leg parlays, the platform looks a lot less like a “prediction market” and a lot more like a sportsbook. Regulators have noticed. What Polymarket actually built The new safety features hit the platform on September 30 and include three main components. First, deposit caps that users can set for themselves, and here’s the key detail: they’re non-revocable. Once you set a limit, you can’t simply turn it off in a moment of weakness at 2 AM. Second, self-exclusion options that let users temporarily or permanently lock themselves out of the platform. Third, Polymarket added safety resources through its partnership with Birches Health, a provider focused on gambling addiction treatment. Malea Otranto, Polymarket’s Global...