HOW TO BET ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (LEGALLY, IN 2028)

Is it legal to bet on the US presidential election?

Available to eligible residents (as of October 3, 2026); check current state rules. A 2024 federal appeals court ruling cleared CFTC-regulated venues — Kalshi and Polymarket — to legally list US election contracts. Both are available to US residents.

TL;DR:

You can legally bet on the US presidential election on two CFTC-regulated prediction markets: Kalshi (real USD via ACH, 47 states + DC) and Polymarket (US dollars via its app, 49 states + DC). PredictIt also lists political markets with an $850 cap.

Is betting on the presidential election legal in the US?

Available to eligible residents (as of October 3, 2026); check current state rules. A 2024 federal appeals court ruling cleared the way for CFTC-regulated venues to list US election contracts. Kalshi and Polymarket are both legally available to US residents for political markets.

Polymarket: deposit $10, get a $25 trading bonus with code WIN

18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.

Step 1 — Pick a venue

Two real options for US residents:

• Kalshi — real USD via ACH, 47 states + DC, the cleanest experience
• Polymarket — 49 states + DC, trades in US dollars

Step 2 — Sign up and verify

Both platforms require KYC (government ID, address). Kalshi takes minutes; Polymarket's app flow is similar. See our Polymarket walkthrough for the Polymarket onboarding details.

Step 3 — Fund your account

Kalshi: link a bank account via Plaid for ACH, or use a debit card. Polymarket: fund in US dollars inside the app. Check each app for current deposit options and minimums.

Step 4 — Find the election market

Search 'Presidential' on Kalshi or Polymarket. You'll see top-line markets (overall winner, party winner) and state-by-state markets. Prices are quoted between $0.01 and $0.99 — the price is the implied probability.

Step 5 — Place your trade

Decide YES or NO, pick a position size, and confirm. You can sell at any time before resolution — you don't have to hold through the election.

Start small. $10–$25 is fine for a first political trade until the price-as-probability mental model clicks.

Step 6 — Cash out

Kalshi: withdraw to your linked bank via ACH (1–3 business days). Polymarket: withdraw US dollars from the app — check the app for available methods and timing. See Polymarket withdrawal guide.

What about PredictIt and offshore books?

PredictIt operates under a narrow CFTC no-action letter, capped at $850 per market. Useful for niche state-level races. Offshore books (Bovada, BetOnline) are not CFTC-regulated and put US residents in a legal gray area — we don't recommend them.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to bet on the US presidential election?

Available to eligible residents (as of October 3, 2026); check current state rules. A 2024 federal appeals court ruling cleared CFTC-regulated venues — Kalshi and Polymarket — to legally list US election contracts. Both are available to US residents.

Where can I bet on the 2028 presidential election?

On Kalshi (USD via ACH, 47 states + DC) or Polymarket (US dollars via its app, 49 states + DC). PredictIt also lists political markets with an $850-per-market cap under a CFTC no-action letter.

What's the minimum bet on a presidential election market?

You can buy a single contract for $0.01–$0.99. Practically, $10–$25 is a sensible starter position.

Can I bet on the presidential election from any US state?

Almost any. Kalshi is live in 47 states + DC (Nevada, Michigan and Washington excluded); Polymarket is live in 49 + DC (Nevada excluded).

How are presidential election winnings taxed?

Profits are taxable, but the IRS hasn't issued guidance on how event contracts are classified — tax professionals variously treat them as gambling income, as capital gains or, more aggressively, as Section 1256 contracts. Keep records and confirm with a tax professional.