Why we exist
California has the fifth-largest economy in the world, 39 million residents, and no legal online sportsbook. California voters rejected sports betting in 2022 — twice — and the political appetite to revisit that decision is dormant.
At the same time, federal regulation of prediction markets has matured rapidly. Platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket, Sleeper, and others operate as CFTC-regulated event-contract venues, legally available in all 50 states under federal commodities law.
Most of the coverage of these platforms is either marketing-speak from the platforms themselves or framed for national audiences that miss what's specifically relevant to Californians. We started California Prediction Markets to fill that gap. Our focus is on California residents who want to understand what's legally available, how it works, and which platforms fit their use case.
What we cover
- Platform reviews — deep, honest takes on every CFTC-regulated prediction market available to California residents
- California legality — the legal framework that makes prediction markets available here when sportsbooks aren't
- Seasonal events — Lakers playoffs, the World Cup, NBA Finals, NFL, elections, Fed meetings
- Market mechanics — how event contracts actually work, how pricing moves, how to think about probability
- Comparisons — side-by-side looks at the most common platform decisions
Who writes California Prediction Markets
Editor-in-Chief
Catie Di Stefano
Independent California-based writer and editor covering CFTC-regulated prediction markets since early 2025. Los Angeles resident, active retail trader on Kalshi and Polymarket, and the primary author of every review and guide on this site.
- Author of 90+ published guides on prediction markets, event contracts, and California-specific legality
- Personally opens, funds, and tests every platform reviewed — no desk-research reviews
- Reads CFTC filings, DCM rulebooks, and California AG guidance before making legal claims
- Also bylined at AffiliatePredictions
We are not owned by, funded by, or affiliated with any prediction-market platform. We make money through affiliate relationships with platforms we review — see our disclosure page — but no platform pays for coverage, favorable reviews, or editorial influence.
How we review platforms
Every platform review on this site follows the same six-step methodology before a single word is published:
- Open a real account with real personal information and complete full KYC.
- Fund it with real money using each supported deposit rail we can access from California.
- Place real trades across multiple market categories — politics, sports, macro, entertainment.
- Test the withdrawal end-to-end at least once, timing settlement and noting any fees.
- Read the paperwork — terms of service, privacy policy, CFTC filings, and any public enforcement history.
- Re-verify quarterly — reviews carry a dated verification line and are refreshed when platforms materially change products, fees, or regulatory standing.
Non-English guides are additionally reviewed by a locale fact-checker before publication. Full details — including ratings criteria, corrections policy, and our AI-assistance disclosure — live on the editorial standards page.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, tips, or platform feedback: email catie@californiapredictionmarkets.com. Catie reads every message.
About the site
Who writes California Prediction Markets?
- Catie Di Stefano, an independent California-based writer covering federally-regulated event-contract platforms. Catie is the primary author and editor of every piece on the site.
Is the site independent?
- Yes. We are not owned by, funded by, or affiliated with any prediction-market platform. We accept no payment for coverage, favorable reviews, or editorial influence.
How do you make money?
- Through affiliate relationships with the platforms we review. When a reader signs up using one of our links, we may earn a referral fee. Affiliate status never determines whether or how we cover a platform.
How do you review platforms?
- We open accounts, fund them with real money, place real trades, and test withdrawals before publishing. Reviews are updated when platforms materially change products, fees, or regulatory standing. Full methodology is on our editorial standards page.