Wisconsin residents could lose voting rights over prediction market bets

Wisconsin’s elections commission has warned that residents who bet on the outcome of an election may be barred from voting in that same contest. The warning applies to the growing use of online prediction markets and matters because voters who participate in them could unknowingly risk both their ballot eligibility and potential criminal consequences.

The commission cites a state law that disqualifies anyone with a direct or indirect financial interest in a wager on an election’s result from voting in it. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket allow users to trade contracts linked to political outcomes; officials say an attempted vote after such a bet could prompt an eligibility challenge and, if made knowingly while disqualified, potentially lead to a Class I felony charge.