“Prediction Markets” Pile Up Political Donations Ahead of Midterms

Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, recently appeared on Washington Watch, where he discussed a concerning uptick in political donations from so-called “prediction market” platforms.

“Prediction markets” are companies that exploit loopholes in state and federal law to bring casino-style gambling to anyone with a smartphone. While traditional gambling operates under state oversight and state law, prediction market platforms claim protection under federal commodities laws, letting people wager hundreds of millions of dollars on sports, elections, and other events without being accountable to state regulators.

Now news outlets report that prediction market platforms are donating millions of dollars to candidates ahead of the November midterm elections.

During his appearance on Washington Watch, Bernal said these gambling companies are “spending relentlessly” on political contributions in hopes that legislators will “look the other way” when it comes to the harm that their companies inflict:

“Prediction markets especially represent a con. This is a form of consumer financial fraud that’s only legal when you partner with the government. So for Kalshi and Polymarket and these other companies, the only way their business model survives is by partnering with these with public officials and getting their approval, and so what they’re hoping to do, whether it’s through the Democrats or Republicans – and Republicans frankly are just as bad on this issue as the Democrats are – is they use this so-called dark money to run their campaigns. But ultimately it buys these companies major influence behind the scenes to perpetuate a product in these prediction markets as well as these other forms of online gambling. They’re inflicting life-changing harm on tens of millions of Americans.”

So far this year, “prediction market” company Kalshi has donated a total of $20,000 to three different political action committees in Arkansas. Political action committees — or PACs — typically work to elect or defeat candidates for public office. The money that a PAC raises from “prediction markets” can be given to another candidate’s campaign or the PAC can use it to run its own campaign ads for or against candidates.

Contributor	Contributor Address	Candidate or Committee	Transaction Amount	Transaction Date
Kalshi, Inc	594 Broadway Street, Suite 407, New York, NY, 10012	Build Strengthen & Empower PAC	$5,000	09/28/2026
Kalshi	594 Broadway, Suite 407, New York, NY, 10012	Pillar Leadership PAC	$5,000	09/25/2026
Kalshi, Inc.	594 Broadway, Ste. 407, New York, NY, 10012	Team SHS (Sarah Huckabee Sanders) PAC	$10,000	09/21/2026

We have written before about how prediction markets are deeply troubling. Some of these companies have been accused of using deceptive videos and fake wins to appeal to young people on social media. Others have been taken to court for refusing to abide by state gambling and consumer protection laws.

This kind of predatory gambling destroys families. Internet gambling is ruining lives, and prediction markets are part of the problem.

As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect its citizens and families from predatory gambling. Otherwise gambling addiction will simply continue wrecking lives and hurting families in our state.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.