Best Political Betting Sites in the US: Election Betting Apps
While you can’t bet on politics at traditional US sportsbooks yet, you still have options for putting money down on elections, policy changes, and more.
This guide reviews some alternatives to the best sites for political betting in the US. I’ll share legal workarounds for getting in on the action, and while they technically aren’t political “betting” sites, they’ll offer a very similar experience.
Alternatives to Political Betting Sites in the US
I’ve found that these workarounds provide an experience as close to political betting in the US as you’ll get:
Kalshi
Kalshi has helped transform the landscape of political betting in the US. While it isn’t gambling, the platform allows users to trade contracts on political outcomes.
By suing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and becoming a regulated entity under them, Kalshi challenged the prohibition on election betting in the US. Ever since October 2024, the site has offered legal trading on election outcomes.
Unlike traditional betting, there’s no “house” to wager against. Instead, Kalshi users purchase and sell contracts based on yes-or-no questions. They can sell whenever to cash out or minimize losses.
Another differentiating feature from online sports betting is that Kalshi is legal in all 50 states.
The menu of political trades on Kalshi features subcategories such as:
- Trump’s agenda and his first 100 days
- US and foreign elections
- Cabinet picks
- Bills
- Culture war
- SCOTUS and courts
- Debt ceilings and shutdowns
- Immigration
- Education
See the Kalshi promo code for more info about trading on election day outcomes.
Manifold
Ever heard of social sportsbooks or social casinos? These platforms run on a free-to-play model that let you “bet” on sports or casino-like games with in-house currency.
Interestingly, companies like Manifold have adopted the model and applied it to political trading. It’s similar to Kalshi as it lets you trade on a wide range of political events, but a notable difference is the lack of sweepstakes play. You can only make predictions via the free currency Mana Coins.
While there’s no chance to win real-money prizes, I appreciate the platform’s emphasis on community and creating unique market ideas.
See the Manifold Markets promo code for more info on social political trading.
Robinhood
Robinhood was another exchange platform that offered political betting contracts during the 2024 election. Unfortunately, it didn’t expand political trading contracts beyond this monumental race.
However, word of potential sports trading from Robinhood leaves us with hope. If the app permits sports trading, there’s a decent chance it could expand to include other election betting markets ranging from presidential and gubernatorial races to legislative changes.
This might be stretching a bit, but you could use Robinhood in its current form to predict politics. It’ll just be in a somewhat indirect manner. For instance, you might predict that an executive order prioritizing oil drilling will increase gas company profits and buy their stock accordingly.
See our review of the Robinhood promo code to stay up to date on the platform’s future trading endeavors.
Is Political Betting Legal in the US?
Recently, the legal status of political betting in the US has significantly transformed. A landmark court ruling in Washington, D.C., in October 2024 has permitted betting on elections, ending nearly a century of prohibition.
Kalshi led the charge by challenging federal restrictions imposed by the CFTC. Kalshi argued that former restrictions were outdated and hindered Americans’ participation in prediction markets.
It’s not the same type of betting that you would find at sportsbooks or casinos—we’re talking about election contracts on regulated exchanges. That means you can buy Yes or No contracts on numerous political events (domestic and international).
Those interested in making political bets will also be glad to hear that social trading sites like Manifold are legal and offer election odds. You won’t win any real money, sure, but you’ll still get the thrill of getting in election bets.
US Political Betting Sites to Avoid
Here are some sites to avoid when getting in on politics in the US:
Canadian Sportsbooks
In pursuit of the ability to bet on Donald Trump or other politicians, you might’ve checked US sportsbooks for election odds.
But, of course, American platforms like bet365, DraftKings, and Fanatics do not have political markets.
Your next thought might be to turn to Canadian sportsbook apps; after all, sportsbooks like Sports Interaction or BET99 are chock-full of moneyline odds and futures bets surrounding politics.
But not so fast! Using a Canadian sportsbook to bet on politics while you’re in the US is illegal, so don’t bother trying (even through a VPN!). Our alternatives listed earlier in this article are much safer.
If you happen to be in America’s Hat, be sure to check out our guide to online sports betting in Canada for specifics.
Unregulated Prediction Markets
We’ve discussed regulated prediction markets, but you should avoid unregulated ones like Polymarket. The lack of oversight gives your deposits and trades little to no protection.
Always do your research and check a platform’s terms to confirm whether it’s regulated or offshore.
Political Betting in the US: A Recap
Though political betting isn’t technically available in the US, you can trade Yes/No contracts on political events via regulated exchanges like Kalshi.
It’s a unique way to get in on the action and even gives users a supplementary resource to polls. While markets aren’t a substitute for polls, they can offer a different perspective as traders usually have more stake in being right with money being on the line.
On the flip side, there are concerns that political betting could be exploited to manipulate public opinion or influence election outcomes. Bettors should remain vigilant and informed about the potential implications of their wagers.
As political betting continues to evolve, it offers an exciting new frontier for users like you. I’m also interested in seeing the legal development as states or other entities might challenge the federal political betting ruling down the line.
Crypto.com has launched sports trading and may eventually open political markets if it gets regulatory approval—stay tuned!
FAQs: Best Political Betting Sites in the US
Here are some questions regarding political bets in the US:
Is political betting legal in all states?
Political trading is legal in all 50 states via Kalshi. It’s different from election betting that you would find on sportsbooks, as trading occurs through exchanges with regulatory oversight.
How can political betting influence public opinion?
Political betting can significantly influence public opinion by spotlighting specific candidates or issues, often swaying perceptions based on betting odds and their movements. This can create a feedback loop where people adjust their views based on what others are trading on.
Are there limits to how much I can trade on politics?
Trading sites like Kalshi implement limits on how much money you can put down on politics, but the limits tend to be pretty high. Check each site’s terms for specifics.
Can I trade on international politics?
Absolutely, you can trade on international political events through various political trading sites. Just make sure to check the specific options available for the events you’re interested in.
What should I look for in a political trading site?
When choosing a political trading site, you should look for competitive odds, enticing welcome bonuses, and reliable customer support. These factors will help ensure a better betting experience.
Are election betting odds accurate?
Odds at trading sites can be a decent indicator of what’s to come, but at the end of the day, they’re just predictions based on user behavior.
Can I bet on the US presidential election?
Americans could legally trade on the 2024 Trump vs. Harris presidential election and will likely be able to trade on future presidential races.