'Too big to stop': Young American men are flocking to prediction markets to take big risks on even bigger rewards
Key takeaways
- 'Too big to stop': Young American men are flocking to prediction markets to take big risks on even bigger rewards Michael M.
- A recent Bloomberg (3) analysis found more than 100,000 accounts lost at least $1,000 on Polymarket, one of the largest prediction market platforms.
- You can now build wealth like a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don t have to chase down rent or take 3 A.M tenant calls
'Too big to stop': Young American men are flocking to prediction markets to take big risks on even bigger rewards Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Amanda Smith Mon, May 25, 2026 at 6:55 PM GMT+7 5 min read. The multi-billion-dollar prediction markets industry is rivaling the pace of AI growth. Market volumes are estimated to eclipse $1 trillion by 2030 (1), with 71% of prediction market current users being men under the age of 45, according to a recent study from analytics firm Morning Consult. In addition, about one in four American men between the ages of 18 and 24 say they have used at least one prediction market or gambling app in the past six months, according to a poll by the American Institute for Boys and Men (2) (AIBM).
A recent Bloomberg (3) analysis found more than 100,000 accounts lost at least $1,000 on Polymarket, one of the largest prediction market platforms. The Wall Street Journal (4) reported that 67% of profits on Polymarket go to 0.1% of accounts. Close to half a billion dollars allegedly went to fewer than 2,000 accounts. Most accounts you’ll find on prediction markets are money losers.
You can now build wealth like a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don t have to chase down rent or take 3 A.M tenant calls