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Senate Bans Its Members from Using Prediction Markets

Senate Bans Its Members from Using Prediction Markets

In a decisive move to uphold ethical standards, the U.S. Senate has voted to prohibit its members and staff from engaging with prediction markets. The resolution, passed unanimously on Thursday, amends the chamber’s standing rules and takes effect immediately. Senator Bernie Moreno, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized that the ban is crucial to prevent the misuse of sensitive information for personal gain. He stated that no senator or staffer should be allowed to monetize their position through inside knowledge. This action follows growing concerns over incidents where individuals with access to classified data placed bets on platforms like Polymarket, including a recent case involving a special forces soldier charged with using confidential information to wager on the capture of a foreign leader. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the rule change as a “no-brainer,” arguing that Congress must avoid turning into a casino where public representatives gamble on wars, economic crises, or elections. He called for extending similar restrictions to the executive branch. The House is expected to follow suit, with Representative Ashley Hinson announcing plans to introduce a comparable resolution. Prediction market operators, including Polymarket and Kalshi, have voiced support for the Senate action, noting that they already prohibit such conduct in their terms of service. This legislative move adds a new dimension to the ongoing regulatory debate over whether event contracts should be classified as financial products or gambling activities, as the CFTC continues to litigate against state actions targeting these markets.

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