Prediction markets are opening many new opportunities for unregulated insider trading and unethical bets – in the name of making a game out of politics

The rapidly growing popularity of prediction markets is sparking worries about the markets’ effects on US politics, where campaign staff has bet on its candidate’s electoral performance.

By: Matt Motta, Boston University and Robert Ralston, University of Birmingham, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 16, 2026

Words: 1,363

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

Body Text Preview

By Matt Motta, Boston University and Robert Ralston, University of Birmingham

Arrests for betting on the U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Death threats from gamblers to a journalist reporting on an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Fears of government officials manipulating world events – including the Iran war – to make a quick buck.

These are some of many concerns that experts have raised about how prediction markets …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us