TLDR
- A unanimous Senate vote established an immediate prohibition on prediction market participation for senators and staff members
- Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno spearheaded the resolution that changed Senate regulations instantly
- The measure follows criminal charges against a special forces soldier who allegedly used classified intelligence for Polymarket wagers
- House Republicans plan to mirror the Senate’s action with comparable legislation
- Leading prediction market platforms expressed support for the congressional trading restrictions
On Thursday, the United States Senate enacted a comprehensive ban preventing all members and staff from engaging with prediction markets through a unanimous vote. Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio, championed the resolution that took effect immediately upon passage.
Moreno articulated his position that legislators should not participate in speculative wagering while receiving compensation from taxpayers. The newly adopted regulation prohibits any contracts or financial arrangements connected to predicting specific event outcomes.
The legislative action arrived on the heels of April 23 charges filed against a special forces operative accused of exploiting classified intelligence to make wagers on Polymarket. The service member, connected to an operation targeting former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s capture, has entered a not guilty plea.
Concerns also emerged regarding suspiciously timed wagers related to potential conflict with Iran. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer characterized the prohibition as an obvious necessity.
“We must never allow Congress to turn into a casino where members representing the public can gamble on wars, or economic crises, or elections,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.
Cross-Party Agreement Drives Action
The measure sailed through via unanimous consent, indicating zero opposition from any senator. Support crossed party lines, with Schumer advocating for expansion to encompass executive branch personnel and administration officials.
“The administration and its employees must apply these very same rules too,” Schumer said, pointing to what he called a “troubling affinity to corruption and self-dealing.”
Republican House Representative Ashley Hinson announced through X her intention to bring forward parallel legislation in the House of Representatives.
Platform Operators Weigh In
Polymarket, among the most prominent prediction market operators, issued a statement endorsing the Senate’s decision. The platform emphasized that its existing terms of service already prohibit such activities, while characterizing the legislative action as “a step forward for the industry.”
Polymarket operates under a 2022 settlement with the CFTC that restricts its domestic US operations.
Tarek Mansour, who serves as co-founder and CEO of competing platform Kalshi, similarly praised the resolution. He highlighted that Kalshi maintains existing blocks on congressional members and actively enforces insider trading prohibitions.
Political wagering has experienced substantial growth in recent election cycles. Several political candidates have already incurred sanctions for placing bets on their own electoral contests.
The Senate’s approved resolution spans just 14 lines. Its swift passage stands in stark contrast to ongoing delays in advancing comprehensive cryptocurrency market structure legislation through the chamber.
At the time of the Senate vote, Polymarket probability indicators showed Democrats holding 50-50 odds for regaining Senate control in the upcoming November elections.
