Aisha Roscoe

So, Bobby, can you give us an idea of like what these prediction markets are and where did they come from?

This sounds like a Black Mirror episode or something.

Who's using these apps?

Is it just, you know, your everyday person like who may hear this and go, I want to bet on what Trump may say or I want to bet on a tiny desk?

Well, that's what I want to ask you.

Is this something where people can make a quick buck or is it like the casino where you probably don't lose your bucks?

You lose your shirt and your shoes.

So who are the winners?

Who are the people?

Who's that slim minority that's making some money?

Yeah, I mean, it's one thing to know a lot about a certain sport or, you know, we cover politics.

We know a lot about politics.

But as you mentioned earlier, a lot of people have actual inside information that can give them an edge.

Are there rules against insider trading on these apps?

Like, is it illegal?

Yeah.

When we come back, predicting the future of prediction markets.

Stay with us.

We're back with the Sunday story and we're talking with NPR's Bobby Allen about the recent rise of prediction markets.

So, Bobby, you mentioned that these markets have been around for a while.