Drones

May 24, 2026, 11:07 AM EDT. US-based prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket are attracting tens of thousands of dollars in bets on Australian political events, including election outcomes and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's word choices during parliament sessions. These markets allow users to buy shares on event outcomes, similar to betting but without bookmakers. Despite being prohibited and unlicensed in Australia, they remain accessible via VPNs, raising alarms among gambling harm advocates and prompting monitoring by Australian regulators. Kalshi and Polymarket have hosted significant trading volumes on Australian politics, economy, and RBA decisions. The Australian Communications and Media Authority mandated blocking Polymarket access in 2025. Experts warn this trend could trigger a new wave of gambling harm, with regulators potentially lagging behind market developments.