Poll workers in Delaware County are now banned from using prediction markets to bet on elections, writes Carter Walker for Votebeat Pennsylvania.
The Delaware County Board of Elections recently amended an oath taken by poll workers before an election to include the prediction market ban.
Prediction markets offer users the chance to wager on outcomes in sports, world events, and elections.
Popular ones like Polymarket are taking bets over 500 events related to the midterms, including who will win the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional district.
Pennsylvania law already prohibits poll workers from “directly or indirectly” betting on the results of an election or primary election. The Delaware County Board of Elections thought it prudent to include prediction markets as well.
“I think they’re a pernicious, horrible factor and I don’t think elections should be bet on in one shape or form,” said Delaware County elections director Jim Allen. “The last thing we need is the referee in elections being accused of having a financial stake in these so-called prediction markets.”
No legal action has been taken yet to test whether prediction markets violate the state’s election betting law.
Read about state legislation being considered that would regulate prediction markets in Votebeat Pennsylvania.
