Treatment for Kalshi, Polymarket and prediction market addiction
Prediction markets are marketed as trading, but for many people they work like gambling. If you cannot stop placing contracts, or you are chasing losses, help is available.
Prediction markets are gambling for many users
Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket let users buy contracts on sports results, elections and other events. Because they are regulated as commodities exchanges, they have been available in states where sports betting is not legal, and they run 24 hours a day.
The results for most users look like gambling results. A July 2026 Pew Research Center review of nearly 12,000 active Polymarket accounts found that 56% lost money over six weeks, and one in three of the most active users lost more than $1,000 in that time. Therapists have reported more young clients whose gambling started on these apps. Read more in our article on prediction markets.
Warning signs
- Placing contracts to win back earlier losses
- Checking markets and price charts throughout the day and night
- Telling yourself it is investing or trading when the pattern looks like betting
- Moving money from savings, credit or crypto to fund your account
- Hiding balances or losses from family
- Relapsing into prediction markets after stopping sports betting
How we will treat it
Clinically, prediction market addiction is treated as gambling disorder. Our planned residential and outpatient programs will include therapy focused on the trading mindset and chasing behavior, practical barriers to access, financial recovery work and family involvement.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kalshi gambling?
Legally, courts are still deciding how prediction markets should be regulated. Clinically, if you are betting money on uncertain outcomes and cannot control it, it is treated the same way as any gambling problem.
Will you treat Polymarket and crypto-based betting?
Yes. Our planned programs will treat compulsive betting on prediction markets, including Polymarket, Kalshi and similar platforms, as well as related crypto trading compulsions.
I quit sports betting but started using prediction markets. Is that common?
Therapists have reported this pattern, including people in recovery who relapsed once these apps became available. It is a common reason people seek treatment.
How do I get started?
Outpost Recovery is not open yet. If you need help now, call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (national) or 1-800-NEXT-STEP (Arizona). You can also send us a message through our website, and once we open, a clinician will assess your situation and recommend residential or outpatient care.
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Ready to talk to someone?
Outpost Recovery is preparing to open in-person residential and outpatient treatment in Arizona, built only for gambling disorder, including sports betting and prediction market losses. All inquiries are confidential.
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