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Poll: Sports Prediction Market Wagering Concerns are High

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Publish Date: Mar 30, 2026

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

This time of year is always hectic on the nation's sports calendar: three major professional sports in action, March Madness for both men's and women's college basketball, men's and women's golf with The Masters upcoming, to name a few.

It is a fun and entertaining time for people who like to wager and predict on such endeavors, but high concerns still remain.

Prediction markets are new to people and with the Final Fours coming up in men's and women's college basketball, a new poll was released on Monday showing the concerns that Americans have about this popular, yet volatile industry.

Commissioned by Washington, D.C.-based Gambling is Not Investing and conducted by D.C.-based Morning Consult, results released show nearly 3 out of 4 Americans believe that the language prediction markets use actually hides the financial risks of sports wagering especially among young adults.

“This polling confirms that unabated sports gambling on prediction markets is a growing concern across America,” said Mick Mulvaney, Executive Director of Gambling is Not Investing in a news release. “Prediction markets are trying to disguise their sports betting products as a financial investment, misleading Americans and dodging consumer safeguards are like age requirements. “Let’s face it, if it quacks like a duck, it’s sports betting.”

Deeper Dive

> 81% of Americans believe that sports betting on prediction markets is gambling.

> 77% say they are concerned that prediction market platforms that allow teenagers to bet on sports could increase gambling-related harm among young adults, compared with sports books that require users to be 21.

> 73% say they believe describing sports bets as ’event contracts,’ ’swaps’ or ’futures’ makes it more difficult for consumers, particularly younger ones, to recognize the financial risks involved.

> 81% say prediction market platforms should comply with state gaming regulations, including age restrictions, tax structures, and problem gambling requirements.

As you can see the percentages are extremely high, with the overwhelming majority of Americans believing that sports betting on prediction markets is gambling and that these markets should comply with individual state gaming regulations, such as age restrictions, tax structures, and problem gambling awareness requirements.

The survey was conducted during a six-day period (March 17–22) among 15,029 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of +/- 1%.

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