Prediction markets are rapidly expanding, allowing people to bet on elections, legislation, economic policy, and even military actions. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are turning political outcomes into financial opportunities.

That creates a serious conflict when the people making those decisions are also able to profit from them.

Members of Congress, their staff, and even their families have access to sensitive information that the public does not. They know what legislation is moving, what decisions are being considered, and what actions may be taken behind closed doors. When those same individuals can place bets on those outcomes, the risk of insider trading becomes unavoidable.

We have already seen how quickly these markets can be exploited. When major government decisions shift unexpectedly, traders with early insight can make massive profits. That advantage undermines public trust and raises serious questions about whether decisions are being made for the right reasons.

Insider trading laws exist, but they are extremely difficult to enforce in this context. Prediction markets create a new pathway for abuse that current rules were not designed to handle.

Congress must act now to protect the integrity of government, stop the spread of insider-driven speculation, and make it clear that public service cannot be used as a pathway to private profit.

Click “START WRITING” to send a direct message to your members of Congress demanding a full ban on government officials, staff, and their family members from participating in prediction markets.