• ImgurRefugee114@reddthat.com
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    4 hours ago

    It’s not gambling, we’re just placing bets on statistical outcomes from which the winners are awarded money.

    Babe, I didn’t cheat; I just fucked another woman

    It’s not a war, we’re just bombing and shooting each other for control over territory and resources.

    I’m not drinking, I’m merely consuming an alcoholic beverage.

    • TehPers@beehaw.org
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      2 hours ago

      I’m not driving under the influence, I’m travelling under the influence.

      These people are just sovereign citizens with a lot more money.

  • James R Kirk@startrek.website
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    6 hours ago

    My pet peeve is when legit news orgs call them “Prediction markets” because they are literally just gambling apps.

    • ranandtoldthat@beehaw.org
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      2 hours ago

      They were initially based on research into prediction markets. However that research, while interesting, certainly wasn’t able to …predict… what would happen when highly funded commercial enterprises with massive marketing budgets started pushing them right in the middle of an already growing gambling epidemic.

      So, yes, they are now fully gambling apps with little predictive value.

      One of the great ironies of these apps is that people are actively demanding they act more like gambling and less like prediction markets. For example, prediction markets require insiders to participate to function effectively. But the people using these apps, and people who hate these apps alike want to ban insiders from using them to keep them “fair”. This pushes the apps even further from prediction and toward gambling.

  • dan@upvote.au
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    5 hours ago

    I thought Polymarket was still illegal in the USA, but it turns out they launched a new, US-specific version by acquiring an existing CTFC-licensed firm and focusing mostly on sports betting. Their main business is still illegal in the US.