Most Americans oppose betting on elections and government events, poll finds
Some policymakers worry prediction markets could undermine faith in the integrity of U.S. democracy.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that a majority of Americans are opposed to using prediction markets to wager on U.S. elections and other government actions. This finding raises questions about the widespread support for the rapidly expanding prediction market industry, which includes platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. These platforms enable individuals to bet on various events, such as U.S. elections, government policy decisions, and sports games, sparking concerns among policymakers.
Critics argue that these digital platforms present new opportunities for insider trading and manipulation. In response, the companies maintaining these markets claim to have robust controls in place to prevent misconduct, asserting that their markets often outperform traditional polls in forecasting outcomes and provide unique tools for hedging a wide range of real-world risks.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
