As Oregon burns and gamblers bet, lawmakers push back against wildfire betting markets drawing millions

Polymarket let gamblers bet on whether wildfire would reach Santa Monica

While Los Angeles burned, betting site Polymarket offered nearly 20 ways to bet on what the flames would do next, including whether the Palisades fire would reach Santa Monica. The potential for a bettor to help their wager along is horrifying. — Read the rest The post Polymarket let gamblers bet on whether wildfire would reach Santa Monica appeared first on Boing Boing.

Nine senators ask federal regulator whether it will ban betting on wildfires

Polymarket took more than $1.2 million in bets on the Palisades and Eaton fires, and the US Forest Service says systems tying money to fire outcomes risk encouraging arson.

As Oregon burns and gamblers bet, lawmakers push back against wildfire betting markets drawing millions

As Oregon surpassed its wildfire acreage record over the weekend with more than 2 million acres burned, Oregon lawmakers also raised a new wildfire concern Monday as prediction markets continue to allow people to place bets on wildfires, saying it could lead to more human-caused fires.