Prediction MarketIndex
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The market categories

Every market category, explained plainly.

Prediction markets cover far more than elections. This is the full set of categories we track, with how each one defines an outcome, where the resolution source comes from, and the risks that are specific to that subject.

General information, not financial, investment, legal, tax, or betting advice. Prediction markets carry risk of loss. 18 plus or the legal age in your region.

Prediction markets turn a question about the future into a contract that settles to a yes or a no. The subject matter changes how that works. A politics market may hinge on an official result, a weather market on a government reading, a sports market on a final score, and a crypto market on a price at a fixed time. Each category below explains what the contract actually measures, which source decides it, and the traps that are specific to that subject. We explain the mechanics, we do not tell you what to back.

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The twelve market categories we cover

Crypto and bitcoin prediction markets
A plain guide to crypto and bitcoin prediction markets: what they are, how price contracts settle, the resolution sources that decide them, the real…
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Culture and trends prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to culture and trends prediction markets, from viral moments and social media to pop culture milestones. How the contracts work, why…
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Economics and the Fed prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to economics and Federal Reserve prediction markets, from interest rate decisions to inflation and jobs data. How the contracts work…
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Entertainment and awards prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to entertainment and awards prediction markets and event contracts: how contracts on the Oscars, Emmys and other awards work, what…
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MLB and baseball prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to MLB and baseball prediction markets and event contracts: how the contracts work, what regulators allow, where the legality is…
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NBA and basketball prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to NBA and basketball prediction markets and event contracts: how the contracts work, what regulators allow, where the legality is…
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NFL and football prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to NFL and football prediction markets and event contracts: how the contracts work, what regulators allow, where the legality is…
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Politics and election prediction markets
A plain guide to politics and election prediction markets: what you can trade, how a contract settles against official results, the legal story…
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Soccer and world football prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to soccer and world football prediction markets and event contracts: how the contracts work, why draws need a three way market, what…
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Technology and AI prediction markets: how they work and where they stand
A neutral guide to technology and AI prediction markets and event contracts, from artificial intelligence milestones to company IPOs and valuations…
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Weather and climate prediction markets
An independent guide to weather and climate prediction markets: temperature, rainfall, snowfall, and hurricane contracts, how they settle against…
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World events and geopolitics prediction markets
A plain guide to world events and geopolitics prediction markets: what you can trade, how a contract settles, why a proposed United States rule would…
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Where to go next

Read the category, then check where you can trade it

Each category page explains the mechanics. Your eligibility depends on the platform and your region, so check the platform profiles and the legality page before you act.

Get The Forecast, our plain language brief on platform changes and shifting legality. One email, no tips, no hype.

Common questions

Questions readers ask

Are prediction market categories regulated differently?

Sometimes. A regulated United States exchange may offer some categories and not others, and certain subjects such as sports event contracts have faced extra legal friction in some states. Check the legality page and the platform profile for the category you care about.

How does a market in each category settle?

Every category page names the kind of resolution source it relies on, such as an official result, a government data release, a final score, or a recorded price at a set time. The contract pays one dollar for the correct side and nothing for the other.

Do you tell me which outcome to back?

No. We explain what each market measures and how it resolves so you can judge for yourself. We never predict an outcome or tell you what to trade.