Story perspectives

Senators Propose Bill to Ban Betting on Government Actions

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Greg Casar introduced the Banning Event Trading on Sensitive Operations and Federal Functions (BETS OFF) Act to ban online prediction markets from accepting bets on government actions, including war and terrorism.
This legislation responds to concerns about suspicious bets on Polymarket regarding potential military actions in Venezuela and Iran, indicating possible insider trading by Trump administration officials.
Murphy highlighted the moral issues of profiting from such events, while critics like Representative Rashida Tlaib condemned gambling on death and destruction.

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Story summary

Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Greg Casar introduced the Banning Event Trading on Sensitive Operations and Federal Functions (BETS OFF) Act to ban online prediction markets from accepting bets on government actions, including war and terrorism.
This legislation responds to concerns about suspicious bets on Polymarket regarding potential military actions in Venezuela and Iran, indicating possible insider trading by Trump administration officials.
Murphy highlighted the moral issues of profiting from such events, while critics like Representative Rashida Tlaib condemned gambling on death and destruction.