Clinicians see gambling addiction patterns in prediction market app users
Updated
Updated · 10TV · May 6
Clinicians see gambling addiction patterns in prediction market app users
12 articles · Updated · 10TV · May 6
At Birches Health in Denver, Cynthia Grant said early warning signs are appearing among users of Polymarket and Kalshi betting on weather, elections and awards.
She said symptoms mirror sports gambling, including compulsion, chasing losses, secrecy, financial harm, anxiety, lost productivity and family strain, with young men seen as especially vulnerable.
Although these platforms frame wagers as trades or event contracts and face different regulation, clinicians say harmful cycles, tolerance and withdrawal-like irritability can still develop.
As 'trading' apps fuel addiction, is big tech engineering the next public health crisis?
Are prediction markets an innovative financial tool or just sports betting in a business suit?
With billions at stake, who will win the regulatory war over prediction markets: states or feds?