In California, wildfire wagers are booming, and experts fear an arson incentive

In California, wildfire wagers are booming, and experts fear an arson incentive

As California communities continue to recover from catastrophic fires, experts are growing concerned as prediction-market platforms and futures betting are letting users wager on wildfire outcomes. Some are claiming the practice turns disasters into a game and could create troubling incentives. What's happening? According to CNN, during the January 2025 Eaton fire in Altadena, California — a devastating blaze that killed 19 people and destroyed …