What We Lose When We Bet on War

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of online prediction markets on moral decisions and features insights from Senator Chris Murphy on the BETS OFF Act.

Life or death decisions are being gamified for profit on online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. But these platforms may also have the potential to create a modernized—if morally questionable—method of opinion polling. Politico Magazine contributing writer Nancy Scola joins Offline to explain the rise of these markets, the argument for them, and the people in D.C. who stand to gain the most. But first! Senator Chris Murphy stops by the show to break down the brand new BETS OFF Act, which bans wagering on government actions, terrorism, war, assassination, and events where an individual knows or controls the outcome. He and Jon discuss the bill's prospects for passing, and discuss what happens to us spiritually when every moral question becomes a market.

People in this episode

Host: Jon Favreau

Guests: Nancy Scola, Chris Murphy

Topics covered

• online prediction markets
• opinion polling
• government actions
• morality
• war betting

Keywords

• prediction markets
• Kalshi
• Polymarket
• BETS OFF Act
• Chris Murphy
• Nancy Scola
• morality
• war
• government actions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kalshi, Polymarket, Politico Magazine, Crooked Media

Books & works: BETS OFF Act

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