Bet on Anything, Everywhere, All at Once
Mar 01, 2026•27 min
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Summary
This episode delves into the explosion of prediction markets, where users can bet on diverse outcomes beyond sports, facilitated by apps like Kalshi and Polymarket. It explores their origins, the profiles of those winning and losing, and the ethical dilemmas of insider trading. The discussion highlights how deregulation and a pivotal court decision have fueled their growth, leading to ongoing legal battles with states questioning their status as non-gambling entities and the future challenges of controlling this pervasive trend.Episode description
The rise of prediction markets means you can now bet on just about anything, right from your phone. Apps like Kalshi and Polymarket have grown exponentially in President Trump’s second term, as his administration has rolled back regulations designed to keep the industry in check. Billions of dollars have flooded in, and users are placing bets on everything from whether it will rain in Seattle today to whether the US will take over control of Greenland. Who’s winning big on these apps? And who is losing? NPR correspondent Bobby Allyn joins The Sunday Story to explain how these markets came to be and where they are going.
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