Most Americans surveyed say prediction markets should not be used for betting on US election results or other government actions, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll reported by Cointelegraph. The findings come as Polymarket, Kalshi and other operators face an unresolved regulatory dispute between federal and state authorities.
Poll shows opposition across party lines
The nationwide survey questioned 4,506 adults from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5. Opposition to election betting was recorded among voters from both major parties: 69% of Democrats and 61% of Republicans said they opposed using prediction markets to wager on election outcomes.
Prediction markets allow participants to buy or sell contracts tied to the outcome of future events. In this case, the contracts can relate to elections, government policy decisions and sporting events. The value of a contract is generally linked to the market’s assessment of whether a particular outcome will occur.
The poll also found less support for wagering on professional sports than opposition to it. Forty-three percent of respondents opposed betting on professional sports, while 29% supported it.
Dispute over who regulates the markets
The industry has expanded around platforms including Polymarket and Kalshi, but its activities have also triggered lawsuits involving state and federal agencies. The central issue is which authorities have the power to oversee prediction markets, particularly when contracts concern elections or other events that states have traditionally regulated.
The administration of President Donald Trump is pursuing federal rules for the industry through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC. Several states are challenging parts of that approach in court. The conflict could ultimately be considered by the US Supreme Court, according to the source material.
Cointelegraph reported that 39 states and the District of Columbia filed an amicus brief in a New Jersey case on Oct. 8. The filing described the disagreement between the CFTC and state regulators as a “national turf war” and argued that the matter could not be settled without guidance from the Supreme Court.
Why the survey matters
The poll does not determine how prediction markets will be regulated, but it illustrates the public resistance facing a sector seeking broader legal recognition. The results also show that opposition to election betting is not limited to one political party, adding a public-opinion dimension to the legal and regulatory debate.
The disagreement has consequences beyond individual platforms. A final decision on regulatory authority could shape whether contracts tied to elections, public policy and sports can be offered nationally, or whether operators must comply with different rules across states.
Moneyiar market picture
Moneyiar data at 22:19 on Oct. 19, 2026, showed Ethena (ENA) at $0.1911949951, up 3.76% over 24 hours but down 8.75% over seven days. Polygon (prev. MATIC), listed under the symbol POL, was $0.0927059994, rising 2.7% in 24 hours and falling 7.89% over seven days. RedStone (RED) stood at $0.1381198228, up 1.09% over 24 hours and down 10.44% over seven days. These figures are market data supplied by Moneyiar and are separate from the prediction-market dispute.
