Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 1, 2026 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) applauds efforts by the U.S. Senate to ban its own members, staff, and chamber officials from betting in prediction markets. Last month, Senator Williams introduced Pennsylvania Senate Resolution 276, which calls for Congress to ban insider trading and participation in prediction markets for Congress, the President, the Vice President, and the Presidential Cabinet.
“The action of the U.S. Senate to self-regulate their use of prediction markets is an important first step. More is needed to fully restore public trust that elected officials aren’t using their positions to cash in on insider information,” said Senator Williams. “I urge Congress to pass legislation banning all branches of government and imposing enforcement mechanisms that penalize public officials for violating the law. People deserve reassurance that their government is serving the people, not gambling with taxpayer-funded intelligence.”
Senator Williams’ resolution is responding to the continued public outcry and calls for government officials to prohibit the use of insider information to bet on so-called “prediction markets” like Polymarket and Kalshi, which allow individuals to anonymously bet on timing and details of world events. In the past week, a U.S. special forces soldier who was involved in the military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicholás Maduro was charged with using classified information to win over $400,000 on a bet related to Maduro’s ouster.
The U.S. Senate ban was passed unanimously on April 30, 2026, as an amendment to the U.S. Senate operating rules and goes into effect immediately. The measure was sponsored by Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).
Senators John Curtis (R-Utah), Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), and Todd Young (R-Indiana) are sponsoring legislation that would expand this prediction-market ban to all government officials and employees. Violators of the law would be fined double the profit made in a bet through a prediction market.
“Prediction markets are a matter of national security,” said Senator Williams. “I thank the U.S. Senate for taking the first step towards regulation and urge Congress to pass legislation that will lead to real accountability, transparency, and security for taxpayers.”
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