Nieman Lab·2026-04-15

Prediction markets are breaking the news and becoming their own beat

Depending on whom you ask, prediction markets are either: A dangerous, unregulated form of gambling that allows for degenerate betting on real events, unfettered by the economic and legal rules that keep stock markets and sports betting in check, creating an opportunity for corruption and insider trading on a scale we have never seen before. Perfectly legal crystal balls that could replace polling

Depending on whom you ask, prediction markets are either: A dangerous, unregulated form of gambling that allows for degenerate betting on real events, unfettered by the economic and legal rules that keep stock markets and sports betting in check, creating an opportunity for corruption and insider trading on a scale we have never seen before. Perfectly legal crystal balls that could replace polling

Read original·Nieman Lab