AGA survey suggests US population views prediction markets as betting
Summary
A YouGov survey for the American Gaming Association (AGA) of 2,025 registered US voters finds strong public sentiment that sports event prediction markets (eg Kalshi, Polymarket) are effectively gambling rather than financial instruments.
The poll reports 85% of respondents see sports event contracts as more like gambling, four in five want them regulated like online sportsbooks, and large majorities favour state-level licensing and consumer safeguards. The AGA urged the CFTC and Congress to act to prevent prediction markets operating as unlicensed sportsbooks.
Key Points
- 85% of respondents characterised sports event contracts as more like gambling than financial instruments.
- About 80% want prediction markets regulated similarly to online sportsbooks.
- 84% said companies offering sports event contracts should obtain sportsbook licences where they operate.
- Roughly 70% believe platforms are exploiting regulatory loopholes to operate as unlicensed sportsbooks.
- 69% said residents in each state should have a say on whether such contracts are offered locally.
- 65% prefer state and tribal regulators to oversee these markets; 35% pointed to the federal CFTC.
- 64% expect regulators and operators to provide responsible-gambling safeguards rather than leaving it solely to individuals.
Context and relevance
The findings come as prediction markets expand and test the boundaries between gambling and financial trading. Regulators, lawmakers and operators should take notice: public opinion strongly favours treating these platforms like sportsbooks, with state-level licensing and consumer protections. This matters for companies operating prediction markets, policymakers debating jurisdiction, and gambling operators monitoring competitive risks.
Why should I read this?
Short version: people see these platforms as bets, not finance. If you care about regulation, market access or player protection, this survey shows public opinion is on the side of stricter oversight — and that could steer how states and federal bodies act next. We read the full poll so you don’t have to.
Source
Source: https://next.io/news/betting/aga-survey-prediction-markets-betting/