Betting on sports is legal in most US states, but when it comes to betting on politics, it’s a different story. Political betting sites get a ton of traffic during big election years, but very few are legal for US players.
That’s because most state and federal laws treat political wagers differently from sports or casino bets.
While some prediction markets exist in a legal gray area, betting on political outcomes, like picking the next president, is still off-limits in the eyes of US regulators.
Here’s everything you need to know about political betting in the US in 2025.
Is Online Political Betting Legal in the US?
Despite growing interest, political betting websites remain largely illegal in the United States.
While sports betting and online casinos are now widely available in many states, regulators treat political betting as a separate category, and they have been hesitant to legalize betting on political events.
The main reason? Many stakeholders believe that legalizing politics betting sites may undermine the public trust in the elections.
Unlike sports or casino gaming, political outcomes come with real-world consequences for voters, policy decisions, and the balance of power, which makes regulators especially cautious.
As of 2025, no state has approved licensed operators to offer political betting markets. However, there are a few exceptions.
Some federally regulated platforms, like those overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), have been allowed to offer limited election-related contracts under strict conditions. However, these platforms operate more like prediction exchanges, not traditional sportsbooks, and often face legal challenges.
So while the headlines may suggest otherwise, the reality is that political betting is still off-limits for the general public through any state-licensed betting site.
| Category | Status |
| State-licensed sportsbooks | Illegal |
| CFTC-regulated exchanges | Legal |
| Academic prediction markets | Limited access |
| Fantasy-style political games | Varies by state |
The History of Political Betting Laws in the US
Political betting in the US has been shaped by federal financial laws and by the actions of one specific agency: the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Political bets aren’t treated as gambling in this regard, but more like financial contracts, similar to stock options or futures.
Here are the key events that have shaped the industry so far.
2018: PASPA Repeal — But Not for Politics
The US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing states to legalize sports betting. Many people thought this might open the door for political betting, too, but it didn’t.
Political betting stayed under federal oversight, and the CFTC kept rejecting any attempts to create legal political betting markets.
2022–2023: CFTC Shuts Down PredictIt
PredictIt is a unique site that lets users buy and sell shares in political outcomes, like who would win an election. It was the only site that allowed US users to participate in political betting because it had special permission from the CFTC. In 2022, the CFTC suddenly revoked that permission, saying the platform no longer met its academic exemption.
PredictIt challenged this decision in court, and a federal appeals court allowed it to continue operating while the case is ongoing.
2024: Kalshi Lawsuit and Court Ruling
Kalshi is a US-based financial exchange that aims to offer regulated markets on political outcomes. The CFTC initially rejected the proposal, leading to a lawsuit.
In late 2024, a federal court ruled in Kalshi’s favor, allowing it to launch these political event markets, but only as financial products, not traditional bets.
At first, the CFTC appealed the ruling, but soon dropped the appeal in May 2025. This has cemented Kalshi’s legal status, making it the first federally approved platform for political event markets in the US.
Market Potential for Political Betting in the US
While political betting is still banned in every US state under gambling law, recent developments suggest a high ceiling if the market is fully opened.
During the 2024 election cycle, Kalshi reported over $700 million in political contracts traded, roughly $430 million tied directly to the presidential race. Meanwhile, Polymarket, which blocks US users but is widely used abroad, saw over $2 billion wagered on election outcomes.
These numbers show the demand is massive even under limitations. With the CFTC dropping its appeal in May 2025, Kalshi can now legally offer political markets as financial products. That sets a legal precedent that could lead to broader adoption.
While no state has stepped up to legalize political betting through sportsbooks yet, with these kinds of numbers, it’s going to get harder for regulators to keep looking the other way.
Who’s Influencing Political Betting Laws in the US?
Unlike casino or sports betting, political betting laws are shaped at the federal level. These are the main players involved and where they stand:
- CFTC: The main regulator deciding whether political markets count as financial contracts. After years of pushback, the agency dropped its appeal against Kalshi in 2025, allowing the first federally approved election markets to go live.
- Prediction Market Platforms: Kalshi and PredictIt are driving the movement. Kalshi’s legal win opened the door to regulated markets. PredictIt, still in court, helped lay the groundwork by testing the legal boundaries under an academic exemption.
- Lawmakers & Advocacy Groups: Some argue that political betting threatens election integrity. Others see it as a data tool that brings transparency. Their influence could shape how Congress or future administrations react to this growing sector.
Gambling Responsibly with Political Markets
Even though political betting is treated more like investing on platforms like Kalshi, the risks remain the same. You’re still putting real money on unpredictable outcomes, and that can lead to financial stress, compulsive behavior, or chasing losses.
If you’re betting on political outcomes, treat it the same way as gambling; there’s no guaranteed way to make a profit, no matter how much you think you know politics.
And if you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org for free support and self-exclusion.
What’s Next for Political Betting in the US?
With Kalshi now legally offering election markets, the political betting landscape is changing fast. While states still ban political bets through sportsbooks, federal regulators have opened the door, just narrowly.
The next big test? Whether more platforms try to follow Kalshi’s lead, or if Congress steps in with new rules. Either way, the coming years will bring more legal challenges, public debate, and demand from users who want a piece of the action.
There’s a lot going on in the political world right now, for better or for worse. But have you ever tried to cash in on it with the best politics betting sites?
Some bookies are better than others for political betting, so we’ve curated a list of the best options to check out. We ranked them based on strict criteria, including political market variety, bonuses, banking, and much more. We found BetOnline to be the best overall option, but there are many others to consider.
Want to find out more? Keep on reading.
Best Political Betting Sites
| BetOnline | Best overall – $250 free bet with 0x WR |
| Bovada | Excellent variety of markets |
| BUSR | Awesome bonuses |
| MyBookie | 24/7 customer support |
| EveryGame | User-friendly interface |
Important: The sites listed in this guide are targeting English speakers around the world. Please remember to check your local laws to ensure online gambling is legal where you live. Also, AdBlock might get confused, so please disable it if you have any issues with our links.
During our research, we considered numerous important factors for bettors. We started by taking a look at the available markets and odds; we also considered bonuses and so much more. Let’s discover more about how we ranked these top political betting sites!
1. BetOnline – Best Political Betting Site Overall
Pros:
- Supports crypto transactions
- A handful of ongoing bonuses
- In-depth markets for politics betting
- Highly rated mobile app
- No wagering requirements
Cons:
- Simple website design
- 7.5% fee for credit card transactions
The perfect range of local and international political events markets, excellent bonuses, and a top mobile app are just a few of the reasons we’ve picked BetOnline as the best place to bet on politics right now.
Betting Bonuses: 4.9/5
There are a lot of opportunities to get some generous bonuses at BetOnline, and the first of these is through the free bet promo up to $250 that comes without any wagering requirements. You’ll also get 100 free spins for the casino section of the website.
But that’s not all. After this, you can come back for a 25% reload bonus any time you want with the code LIFEBONUS, plus boosted odds from time to time and more bonuses for the casino section.
Political and Other Betting Markets: 4.95/5
There are usually dozens of political markets to bet on at BetOnline – it wouldn’t have been able to land our number one spot without them!
Right now, you’ll be able to get futures for the next presidential election betting markets as well as Senate bets for each state, for example.
Outside of this, there are dozens of sports to bet on, plus some more interesting markets, such as lotteries from around the world.
App and Site: 5/5
The website design at BetOnline is second to none with its super minimal, sleek aesthetic and sensible layout. Using the website is not only visually pleasing but very easy, as it takes just a few minutes to find anything you might need.
If you want to play on a mobile device, then it’s worth downloading the excellent mobile app. It’s smoother, faster, and generally more pleasing to use. We’re big fans!
Banking Options: 4.9/5
There are plenty of ways to bank at BetOnline. Here are just a few of the options you can expect to see:
- VISA
- Mastercard
- Discover
- MoneyGram
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
We’ve had to take a few points off in this department because BetOnline charges a 7.5% fee for all credit card transactions, which is going to come as a disappointment for some readers. But at least there are plenty of ways to get around this.
2. Bovada – Best Variety of Political Betting Markets
Pros:
- In-depth political markets
- $750 welcome bonus
- Low rollover on the welcome bonus
- 25+ sports covered
- Great live betting experience
Cons:
- Fewer reload bonuses
- Not so many banking options
With political betting odds as good as those at Bovada, you’re going to get great value for your funds! And there’s a whole lot of choice for what to bet on as well.
Betting Bonuses: 4.9/5
Of course, this isn’t as valuable a bonus as that of BetOnline, but the good news is that the rollover is lower at 5x. This means it’s going to be easier to withdraw your winnings! The welcome bonus goes up to $750 at Bovada!
Furthermore, the minimum deposit is lower, and that makes it even more accessible for all the users of Bovada.
Political and Other Betting Markets: 5/5
Bovada is home to an incredible range of politics betting markets.
You can bet on the Senate and other American elections at BetOnline, but they go one step further by allowing betting on the best international politics. You could bet on the next UK Prime Minister or the outcome of a potential Scottish referendum, for example.
And what’s more, they’ve got the odds to boot. In the markets they share with the rest of their top picks, they offer equal or better politics betting odds most of the time. So, you’ll win more money from your wins here, for the most part.
Bovada is also a great place to be for sports betting, with a huge range of markets in even the most niche sports.
App and Site: 4.9/5
There’s another mobile app to download at Bovada, and it’s almost as good as that of BetOnline. In fact, the difference in quality is negligible as there’s still a super clean, minimal design going on here, and it’s very satisfying to use.
The website itself is easy to navigate on a desktop computer.
Banking Options: 4.85/5
You won’t find quite as many ways to pay at Bovada as you will at BetOnline, but there’s still the possibility to bank with any of these methods:
- VISA
- Mastercard
- MatchPay
- Bitcoin Cash
- Tether
- A handful of other cryptocurrencies
And the most important thing is that Bovada processes withdrawal requests really quickly, which is always a good thing.
Grab up to a $750 welcome offer
3. BUSR – Best Political Betting Website for Bonuses
Pros:
- Massive sports welcome bonus
- Attractive desktop website design
- Good range of US political betting markets
- Lots of extra bonuses for players
- Excellent live betting section
Cons:
- Limited banking options
- Could use better customer support
Who doesn’t love generous bonuses? We know we do! And we were very impressed with the excellent bonuses available for the users of BUSR! Let’s see what else it has in store.
Betting Bonuses: 5/5
If you use the bonus code SPORTS100FP when you place your first deposit to get it matched some 100% up to $1,500.
The rollover for this bonus is 20x, which is higher than average, but when you consider that it’s a 100% matched deposit instead of the standard 50%, the value is still there and then some. After this, you can grab a matched deposit of up to $500 every time you stake at least $100 and use the code SPORTS20.
Political and Other Betting Markets: 4.8/5
There’s a lot to bet on when it comes to US politics at BUSR, and we’re big fans of the attention to detail there. You won’t find too much outside of the country, though, so we haven’t been able to offer quite full marks for this category.
BUSR actually excels when it comes to sports betting as well, offering very in-depth market coverage in sports from all around the world.
App and Site: 4.7/5
We really like the BUSR website. There’s something pretty classic about it, and it’s interesting in the way that it looks nostalgic but modern at the same time.
You won’t find a downloadable mobile app here, but the mobile site is just as easy to use as the desktop one, so you can still bet on your favorite sports on the go here.
Banking Options: 4.75/5
BUSR isn’t offering a whole lot of ways to pay. You’ll be limited to the following options when you join up here:
- VISA
- Mastercard
- Peer-to-peer
- Bank wire transfer
- Bitcoin
- Litecoin
We’ve definitely seen shorter lists, though, and we do like the fact that BUSR is quick to pay out, so we certainly can’t give a low score for this category.
4. MyBookie – Best User Experience of All Politics Betting Websites
Pros:
- In-depth help center
- Ongoing reload bonus for everyone
- 24/7, responsive live chat customer support
- Excellent casino games section
- Great prop betting options
Cons:
- Not the best design
- Fewer markets from around the world
Reliable customer support helps with your peace of mind when you’re betting on politics, and perhaps the most reliable of all can be found at MyBookie.
Betting Bonuses: 4.8/5
You’ll find another 50% matched deposit up to $1,000 at MyBookie, this time with the code MYB50. The rollover is 10x here once more, so this is an encouraging welcome bonus.
As well as this, you can get a 25% reload bonus whenever you like, plus an 8% horse racing cashback bonus, a referral bonus, and more. MyBookie has done some good work here.
Political and Other Betting Markets: 4.85/5
The MyBookie politics betting section is very US-focused if you’re based in the US. It’s all about the United States Presidential Election. It would’ve been nice to have seen some worldwide markets, but at least we can bet on things like the next party candidates.
That being said, we found one or two markets for UK politics, albeit in a different section, the ‘Special Wagers’ area, which also includes other worldwide event markets.
App and Site: 4.8/5
We’re not mega impressed by the MyBookie website, as it feels pretty old. The problem intensifies somewhat on mobile as there’s no app, and the mobile site can be quite tricky to use.
The good news for this category is that if you do have any issues, you’ll be able to get help at the touch of a button. We found the MyBookie customer support team to be the most responsive of all of our top picks, and that goes a long way for us.
They’re available 24/7 through live chat. And if you don’t want to bother with that, you can always check out the extensive help center, which offers loads of useful troubleshooting and other usage information.
We should also point out that MyBookie is probably the best of our top picks today for casino gambling. If you want to spin a few slots or roulette wheels, then this is a good place to be.
Banking Options: 4.75/5
There isn’t exactly an abundance of ways to pay at MyBookie, but they do pay out quickly if you select from one of the handful of cryptocurrencies. For fiat currencies, options are a little more limited. Here’s the list in full:
- VISA
- Mastercard
- MoneyGram
- Bitcoin
- Litecoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Ethereum
- Ripple
5. EveryGame – Most User-Friendly Online Political Betting Site
Pros:
- Nearly 30 years of experience
- Great mobile betting site
- Interesting outsider political bets
- Low welcome bonus rollover
- Awesome live betting tools
Cons:
- Only American political betting
- Desktop site is a little dull
Looking for an excellent online betting site with an amazing user interface? Look no further – EveryGame’s got you covered.
Betting Bonuses: 5/5
Crypto users get the best deal here. Use the bonus code CRYPTO1K for a 50% bonus up to $1,000 on your first deposit. With a manageable 8x rollover, it’s one of the top crypto sportsbook offers out there.
Prefer fiat? You can still score a 100% match up to $500 with code WELCOME500, also with a low 8x rollover. Both options are great, but crypto clearly gets the edge.
Political and Other Betting Markets: 4.65/5
Like the vast majority of recommended political betting sites, you’ll only be able to get odds on US politics here.
But you’ll still be able to bet on the next US Presidential election fairly extensively. Right now, there are markets for the winner (of course), each candidate for President, and the party to win the election.
Interestingly, there are a lot of options for these markets, so if you want to take a long-shot punt like Brian Kemp to be the next President, then you can.
App and Site: 4.75/5
Even though Everygame doesn’t offer a downloadable mobile app, it’s actually one of the best betting sites for mobile players. The mobile site just makes a lot of sense, loads quickly, and doesn’t look half bad, either.
On a desktop computer, the experience isn’t quite as exciting as on a bigger screen, it looks a little dull. Nonetheless, it’s still easy to use, and that’s going to be the most important thing for many players.
Banking Options: 4.75/5
There are a few more ways to pay at Everygame. Check out the list below:
- VISA
- Mastercard
- AMEX
- Discover
- Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Litecoin
- Payz
- Paysafecard
- EZeeWallet
Unfortunately, the transaction limits for a few of these payment options are quite low, so be sure to check out the cashier section before you sign up to find out about that.
Top Political Betting Sites – Our Ranking Criteria
Betting Bonuses
You can get extra bets, matched deposits, and more in the form of welcome and reload bonuses at a lot of the best political betting sites. We’re analyzing these for their value and the ease of use of their terms and conditions.
Political and Other Betting Markets
Not many real money online betting sites have good political markets, so we’ve made sure to pick 10 that absolutely do. But even between them, some are better than others. It’s good to see early odds for early betting lines, too.
App and Site
Politics betting becomes a lot more enjoyable if the site is actually easy to use. The best sites for political betting can get extra points here for offering a downloadable mobile app, as these are generally a lot more satisfying than just using the mobile site through your phone browser. For example, our Bovada review showed that it has an excellent mobile-compatible website.
Banking Options
It’s great to see a whole lot of ways to pay, but only if the withdrawals are processed quickly and the banking limits aren’t too low. Plus, any banking fees are gonna cause points docking!
Why Is BetOnline the Best Site for Political Betting Online?
There are a few things about BetOnline that really set it apart from the rest, and that’s why it’s claimed our number one spot today:
- Plenty of political events: You’ll be able to bet on all kinds of political betting markets at BetOnline and get great odds for a lot of them, too.
- Generous bonuses: There’s a very strong welcome bonus at BetOnline, and this is followed by other free bets in the form of a reload bonus and more.
- Many banking options supported: You’ll be able to bet with all kinds of fiat currency banking options at BetOnline, and there’s even a handful of cryptocurrencies to pick from if you so wish.
- Bet on the go in style: BetOnline offers one of the best downloadable mobile apps we’ve come across, so you can enjoy a top betting experience wherever you go.
Did you know? BetOnline also ranks as one of the top-rated sports betting sites in Texas and Florida.
Why Bet on Political Outcomes Online?
There are several reasons why online betting is so popular. Here are some of them:
- Welcome bonuses: When have you ever walked into a betting shop and been rewarded with free bets or a matched deposit? We’re not saying it never happens, but it’s certainly rarer than how often it occurs online. For example, our BetOnline review shows that it offers new users up to a $250 welcome bonus.
- More convenient: There’s not a whole lot of point in getting into your car and driving to the bookmakers when you could simply pick up your smartphone or switch on your computer.
- 24/7 betting: If you have the impulsive urge to bet on politics in the early hours of the morning, then the only way you’re going to be able to do that is online.
- Better chance of political markets: The simple fact of the matter is that you might not actually even be able to make a political bet in a betting shop. A lot of them are for sports only.
Political Betting Sites – FAQs
What is the Best Place to Bet on Politics?
You won’t find a better political betting site than BetOnline. Although the likes of Bovada, BUSR, MyBookie, and EveryGame all come very close.
Is it Safe to Bet on Politics Online?
Yes, it is safe to bet on politics as long as you choose reputable betting sites like the ones we listed.
What Political Markets Can I Bet On?
You can bet on a wide range of political outcomes at many top betting sites.
From national elections and party leadership races to international referendums and policy decisions, there’s something for everyone.
Top 5 Best Politics Betting Sites – Quick Comparison
BetOnline: Our favorite site for political betting is this. And right now, they’re offering a $250 free bet promo with no wagering requirements.
Bovada: Get a super low rollover with your 50% up to $750 here, and use that bonus funds on some of the incredibly detailed politics betting lines.
BUSR: The generous signup bonus at BUSR sees players land an impressive 100% up to $1,500. That’s just about the most lucrative politics betting bonus available right now.
MyBookie: You can rest assured that you’re in good hands at MyBookie, thanks to their fantastic help center and responsive customer support team. The 50% up to $1,000 welcome bonus with the code MYB50 isn’t half bad either.
EveryGame: With nearly 30 years of experience, EveryGame knows how to look after its customers, and it’s demonstrated that by offering new ones a $1,000 crypto welcome bonus with a low rollover of 8x.
How to Sign Up for a Political Betting Site
If you’re ready to get started at the best political betting sites, then all you need to do is follow these quick steps to grab your betting account. We’ve used BetOnline as a reference, but the signup process should be pretty similar at most bookies.
Step One: Start Registration
Follow this link to visit BetOnline.
You’ll see a green “Join” button in the top right of the BetOnline. Pressing it will take you through to a new page where you’ll need to enter your full name, email address, ZIP code, phone number, and date of birth, as well as make up a password.
Step Two: Grab Your Welcome Bonus
Now that you’re all signed up, it’s time to activate the matched deposit welcome bonus by adding some funds to your account.
You should now see the cashier section on the homepage, so hit that to bring up the banking options, then select one and complete the transaction. Just make sure you put down the minimum amount for the welcome bonus and enter the bonus code when prompted.
Step Three: Start Betting on Politics Online
Now you can start betting on politics online!
Tips on Betting on Political Events Online
- Keep Up to Date with Betting Insights: If you’re going to bet on politics, it’s a good idea to keep up to date with what’s happening in the world so that you can make the most accurate predictions for your next wager at the best political betting sites.
- Check Out Advice from the Experts: On the subject of the above, it’s never a bad idea to look at what the pros have to say. You can often find strong political betting advice online, but make sure not to just take it at face value. Analyze those tips for yourself.
- Look for Competitive Odds: Because political betting has fewer markets than most sports, we can afford to be a little selective with the bookie for its odds. All of our top five have been verified for good political odds, but if you want to go elsewhere, it might be worth doing some homework.
So, What Are the Best Sites for Betting on Politics Online?
We’ve looked at some pretty elite politics betting sportsbooks in this article, but now it’s over to you to decide which one to go for. These top politics betting sites are all pretty close in quality, after all.
Will it be the fantastic all-around package at BetOnline, or do you like the sound of Bovada’s markets, BUSR’s bonuses, or one of our other top picks? Only you can make that call at the end of the day.
No matter what you decide to do, please always wager responsibly.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with risks. There’s no guarantee of financial gain, so you should only gamble with what you can afford to lose. All information on this site is for entertainment purposes only.
While gambling can be fun, it can also be addictive. If you or anyone you know suffer from a gambling addiction problem, we recommend that you call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 to speak with an advisor. Please remember that our guides and all gambling sites are only for people who are 21+. Also, check with local laws to find out if online gambling is legal in your area.
For free online gambling addiction resources, visit these organizations:
- https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
- https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/
