Americans skeptical of prediction markets despite sector growth

Results of a new poll sound the alarm about the expansion of prediction markets offering sports betting, often described as event contracts on sports. Per the study, an overwhelming majority of American adults agree that sports betting on prediction markets is gambling.

Details regarding the new poll emerged earlier this week from Gambling is Not Investing, a coalition that is dedicated to stopping prediction markets from offering unsafe and unregulated sports events that violate state and tribal laws. The research was conducted by Morning Consulting between March 17 and 22, 2026, and outlines the opinion of 15,029 U.S. adults. A press release confirms that the margin of error of the new poll is +/- 1%. Notably, the polling discovered that 81% of Americans agree that offering futures contracts on sports events via prediction markets is gambling. Equally as important, 73% of the U.S. adults acknowledged that describing sports betting as event contracts, futures, or swaps, makes it difficult for consumers to recognize that the activity carries financial risk. Amid the growing popularity of prediction markets, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), announced an additional $600m investment in Polymarket, the global prediction market platform. The investment announced late last month complemented ICE's initial $1bn investment in Polymarket announced in October 2025.

An overwhelming majority of Americans, or 81%, agree that prediction markets should comply with the established state gaming regulations and adhere to policies related to age restriction, taxes and problem gambling. At the same time, the new poll reveals 77% of Americans are concerned with the impact of prediction market platforms that allow teenagers to bet on sports. According to that group, enabling 18-year-olds to engage in betting may increase gambling-related harm among that group. In contrast, the common minimum age for betting and casino gambling across the country is 21. The trusted educational guide to addiction and recovery, Addiction Help, citing data from the National Council on Problem Gambling, suggests that approximately 5 million Americans fall into the criteria for compulsive gambling. However, what's concerning is that only 8% of those affected by problem gambling seek help, the organization warns.