Google is integrating “prediction market” odds from online betting platforms Kalshi and Polymarket into its Google Finance tools, aiming to reach millions of users. These platforms define their bets as “event contracts” rather than traditional gambling, positioning themselves for regulatory leniency. However, lawmakers challenge this distinction, claiming it camouflages sports betting. Google allows users to query future market events directly, facilitating access to aggregated betting insights. Both platforms navigate a legal maze, with Kalshi asserting compliance via Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations, while Polymarket faces restrictions on U.S. betting. Recent concerns include potential market manipulation and the integrity of predictions, specifically in elections. A Columbia Business School study suggested that up to 25% of Polymarket’s trading volume could be artificially inflated. The ongoing regulatory scrutiny will shape these platforms’ future operations in the rapidly evolving prediction market landscape.
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