This 1 high school class is worth $100,000—and most students still don’t take it

A Baylor College of Medicine pediatrician warned Texas lawmakers that high school seniors are using prediction-market apps like Kalshi and Polymarket to gamble with real money on events like soccer games and elections. These apps sit in a regulatory gap, with the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission overseeing them but not legally classifying them as gambling. Texas already bans most betting, but efforts to close the loophole are stalled in a lawsuit the platforms themselves filed.

While raising the minimum age to 21 for access to these apps aligns with Texas's approach, it does not address the larger issue of financial literacy. Simply banning access does not teach teenagers about compound interest, credit card balances, or the long-term edge that businesses have over individual bettors. In fact, a 2024 study found that one semester of high school personal finance education can generate a lifetime benefit of roughly $100,000 per student. Yet, only about 30 states now require such a course, up from eight in 2020.

The solution lies in teaching financial literacy skills, which can lead to better financial decisions and make employees feel more like owners of their financial futures. Companies like Amazon and IBM are investing in upskilling their employees to help bridge this gap. As individuals, we can make a difference by dedicating time and resources to teaching core financial skills, such as understanding how interest compounds, how odds work, and why the house always wins over time.