Reuters/Ipsos Poll Documents Bipartisan Opposition to Election Betting on Prediction Markets

With Election Day three weeks away, prediction market operators anticipate higher volume from political event contracts. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published today shows this activity faces broad voter resistance across party lines.

The survey finds 60% of voters oppose wagering on elections. Broken down by party, 61% of Republicans and 69% of Democrats hold this view. Support for availability of election-based event contracts stands at 16% among Republicans—with 23% unsure—and 12% among Democrats—with 18% unsure. Casino.org News first detailed the poll results.

Political Contracts Remain Central to Non-Sports Growth

Yes/no exchanges are unlikely to remove these contracts despite the opposition. Political event contracts serve as a primary growth channel outside sports betting. Operators previously forecast a volume spike for the 2026 midterm election, consistent with heavy trading in the 2024 presidential election and 2025 New York mayoral race. Multiple contested gubernatorial and Senate races are expected to generate activity in coming weeks.

Voters Show Stronger Objection to Political Bets Than Sports Wagering

The same poll indicates greater resistance to political event contracts than to professional sports betting. 43% of respondents oppose the legality of sports wagering, 29% support it, and 25% remain undecided. Along party lines, 44% of Republicans and half of Democrats object to legal sports betting, while a third of GOP voters and 29% of Democrats approve.

Majorities also reject event contracts on government policy decisions (63%) and U.S. military action (65%).

Reporting: Casino.org News

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