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 we are
California Prediction Markets is written and edited by Catie Di Stefano, an independent California-based writer covering federally regulated event-contract platforms. We are not affiliated with any prediction market platform. We make money through affiliate relationships with the platforms we review — more on that in our disclosure page — but no platform pays for coverage, favorable reviews, or editorial influence.
How we review
Our platform reviews follow a consistent methodology documented in our editorial standards page. In short: we open accounts, fund them with real money, place real trades, and test withdrawals. We update reviews when platforms materially change their products, fees, or regulatory standing.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, tips, or platform feedback: email catie@californiapredictionmarkets.com. Catie reads every message.
Tungkol sa site
Sino ang sumusulat para sa California Prediction Markets?
- Si Catie Di Stefano, isang independiyenteng manunulat na nakabase sa California na sumasaklaw sa mga platform ng event-contract na kinokontrol ng pederal. Si Catie ang pangunahing may-akda at editor ng bawat piraso sa site.
Independiyente ba ang site?
- Oo. Hindi kami pag-aari, pinondohan, o kaakibat ng anumang platform ng prediction-market. Hindi kami tumatanggap ng bayad para sa saklaw, paborableng review, o impluwensyang editoryal.
Paano kayo kumikita?
- Sa pamamagitan ng mga affiliate relationship sa mga platform na aming sinusuri. Kapag nag-sign-up ang isang mambabasa gamit ang isa sa aming link, maaari kaming kumita ng referral fee. Ang affiliate status ay hindi kailanman tumutukoy kung paano namin saklawin ang isang platform.
Paano ninyo sinusuri ang mga platform?
- Nagbubukas kami ng mga account, pinopondohan ang mga ito ng totoong pera, nagsasagawa ng totoong trade, at sinusubukan ang mga withdrawal bago mag-publish. Ina-update ang mga review kapag ang mga platform ay nagbabago nang malaki sa kanilang mga produkto, fees, o regulatory standing. Ang kumpletong metodolohiya ay nasa aming pahina ng pamantayang editoryal.