$1.1M Traded on Maryland Elections Despite State Betting Ban
More than $1.1 million in Maryland election wagers has traded hands on prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket ahead of Election Day, even as the state’s top election official warns that the activity could violate state law.
Prediction Markets Draw Seven-Figure Volume Despite State Warning
Users have poured over $1.1 million into Maryland election prediction contracts, according to a Baltimore Sun analysis. The trading centers on event contracts—yes or no wagers bought for less than $1 each that pay $1 before fees if the prediction proves correct.
The figure captures activity on the international platforms of Kalshi and Polymarket, as reported by The Baltimore Sun. It leaves out smaller prediction platforms entirely, along with Polymarket’s separate U.S. platform, which does not publicly release comparable volume metrics.
State Investigators Weigh Possible Legal Violations
In July, State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis asked the Office of the State Prosecutor to investigate whether prediction-market contracts breach Maryland election law prohibiting election betting.
With Election Day arriving in two days, the Office of the State Prosecutor has declined to state whether it has taken any formal action regarding the referral, according to reporting originating from Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group. State election officials maintain that the wager-based contracts fall under prohibitions against betting on public elections, while the platforms continue to facilitate the high-stakes trading traffic.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.
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