Best Political Betting Sites in 2025: Detailed Guide to Election Betting
While federal law prohibits real-money political wagering at traditional online sportsbooks in the U.S., social sportsbooks like Kalshi can and do offer betting odds on politics. As a new user, you can claim up to a $10 bonus and start betting on political markets like "Who will win the U.S. midterm election?"
Best political betting sites
To maximize the value of political bets, claim the best sportsbook promos for the U.S political markets.
| 🏆 Political betting site |
💰 Welcome bonus |
✅ Promo code |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Kalshi | $10 Bonus | COVERS |
Kalshi - Best political betting site
We deliver unbiased reviews of the top political betting sites to help you choose the platforms that best fit your betting needs. We only recommend political betting sites that we would use ourselves, and proudly endorse Kalshi in 2025:
Use the Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' when signing up to activate the welcome bonus and explore live markets ahead of the New York Mayor and New Jersey Governor elections.
Kalshi — ranked among the best prediction market sites — is a pioneering exchange platform where users can trade on the outcomes of major political and current events, including the upcoming U.S. midterm election. On Kalshi, traders can take a simple “Yes” or “No” position on whether specific events will occur, with each wager represented as an Event Contract.
Kalshi’s political markets are especially active heading into the 2025 election season, allowing users to speculate on questions like “How long will the government shutdown last?” or “Which party will win the U.S. House next year?” Each position you take generates a trade slip, showing your share quantity, cost per contract, and potential payout based on a $1-per-share settlement system.
Beyond politics, Kalshi also offers markets in economics, culture, weather, and sports. Still, its political prediction exchange has drawn the most attention as the first form of legal election trading in the U.S. in more than a century, fully regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Founded by Tarek Mansour and Luana Lopes Lara, Kalshi continues to redefine how Americans engage with news and politics through real-money forecasting.
Popular events for political betting in the US, UK, and Canada
U.S. Midterm Election
The midterm elections are shaping up as a pivotal moment for both parties as voters respond to inflation, economic pressures and national leadership fatigue. While historically the party not holding the presidency tends to gain ground in midterms, current indicators suggest a tight battle with slight leanings toward the Democrats thanks to strong performance in recent local and special‑elections.
The GOP remains energized, but the Democratic Party is showing momentum in key states and appears to be drawing in moderate independents by focusing on cost‑of‑living and kitchen‑table issues. At this point, the Democrats are cautiously optimistic they could retain or even expand their position in Congress, though control remains far from assured.
How to select the best political betting site
While we would cast our ballot in favor of any of our recommended political betting sites, you should opt for the candidates that meet your individual needs. Consider the following features to identify worthy options.
Reputation and trustworthiness
When you’re betting your hard-earned money, you want to place wagers with complete confidence and trust in your chosen platform. Rest assured, we will never recommend a politics betting site we wouldn’t use ourselves. Our Covers BetSmart Rating evaluation backs each of the trusted, regulated operators in this guide.
Welcome bonuses and promotions
Most political betting sites will reward new bettors with deposit match welcome bonuses in the U.S. These offers are unique to each sportsbook, so be sure you fully understand the terms and conditions associated with your chosen sportsbook promos.
User-friendly interface
If you’re having difficulty making a deposit, navigating to the ‘Politics’ section, or placing a wager, it may be time to try another sportsbook. The best political betting sites feature intuitive layouts, making it easy to track down available markets and lock in your bets.
Mobile compatibility
In 2025, political betting mainly takes place on mobile devices. Most of the top political betting sites have accompanying sports betting apps, but some of these platforms are better than others. We recommend downloading a handful of apps to see which products you prefer.
Variety of betting options
The best sites for political betting will offer a wide range of props, Over/Unders, and futures markets, including election winners, winning parties, party candidates, and more.
Competitive odds
Not all political betting sites are created equally when it comes to odds. Line shopping is crucial to identify the most favourable lines for your desired bet.
Payment options and security
A politics betting site should offer several trusted deposit and withdrawal options. Deposits should be instant, while the best sportsbooks for payouts should process withdrawal requests in just a few days.
Licensing and regulation
Oversight by a regulatory body is key to ensuring you’re dealing with a reputable sportsbook. Each of the political betting sites above meets this standard.
Customer support quality
It’s unlikely you’ll encounter a major issue when using the best political betting sites, but if something does go wrong, you’ll want quick access to customer support. Look for sites and apps that offer 24/7 customer support via email, phone, or live chat.
Step-by-step guide to joining a political betting website
If you've chosen a winning candidate, there's no need to filibuster — follow the steps below to create your new political betting site account:
Register
Begin the registration process by providing basic personal information such as your full name, date of birth, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
If you have a promo code handy, enter it now.
Deposit
Once your identity and location have been verified, you’ll need to make a deposit before you can place your first political wager.
Most political betting sites accept a variety of deposit methods, including Interac and credit cards like Visa and Mastercard. Most deposit methods are instant and allow you to place your first bet right away. Remember to meet minimum deposit requirements if you’re claiming a welcome bonus.
Bet
Locate ‘Politics’ or ‘Specials’ in the betting menu and find your bet. If you’re happy with the odds, add it to your bet slip and confirm your wager.
Withdraw
If you win your bet, you can select your preferred banking method to withdraw your winnings — unless you are in the process of meeting bonus wagering requirements. In that case, you will have to play through your deposit or bonus amount in accordance with the offer's terms and conditions.
How we rate political betting sites
Covers BetSmart Rating
A trusted source for sportsbook reviews and betting content, Covers has been rating betting sites for over 28 years. To ensure bettors find the best political betting sites in 2025, we’ve developed the Covers BetSmart Rating. The overall rating for a betting site is determined by compiling individual ratings for bonuses and promotions, banking and payout speed, key features, security and trust, customer support, user experience, and betting odds.
When conducting betting site reviews, we run the full gamut. From placing deposits and claiming bonuses to comparing odds and contacting customer support, we do everything we can to gain a full understanding of a platform’s strengths and weaknesses. With Covers, you know you’re getting the most in-depth betting site reviews online.
Learn how we rate sportsbooksPolitical betting updates
Follow along as we highlight notable political news and updates in 2025.
Sept. 11, 2025: Kalshi closed multiple markets involving political activist Charlie Kirk after he was assassinated on Wednesday, where there had been offerings of “Yes” and “No” predictions on Kirk running for political office by 2029.
May 5, 2025: Court documents suggest the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) wants to end its legal fight with Kalshi over election-related event contracts after Kalshi won a key decision last year versus the CFTC that paved the way for widespread wagering on the U.S. election.
Jan. 20, 2025: United States lawmakers seek election betting bans with at least two bills being introduced in state legislatures this year that would ban betting on elections using online sportsbooks or otherwise.
Jan. 13, 2025: Prediction market operator Kalshi — and the business of betting and hedging on events like elections — brings on Donald Trump Jr. as a strategic advisor.
Jan. 7, 2025: The exit of U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Rostin Behnam could signal a more open approach to legal election and sports betting in the country.
Dec. 19, 2024: The fight over USA election betting will continue in 2025, with the stage already set for the legal and regulatory battle to continue in the New Year over de facto political betting done with operators such as Kalshi and Robinhood.
Nov. 26, 2024: The incoming Trump administration is predicted to benefit federal gaming with a 'hands-off' approach after his previous administration posed a threat to online gaming.
Nov. 18, 2024: J.D. Vance is the early favorite to win the 2028 U.S. presidential election.
Nov. 12, 2024: With the 2024 election in the rearview, sports betting and casino measures in five states were directly or indirectly affected.
Nov. 11, 2024: New Jersey governor Chris Christie blames Democrat's "wokeness" for U.S. Election defeat, he says in a Covers' exclusive.
Nov. 11, 2024: Trumps' election victory raises Bitcoin's value to an all-time high.
Nov. 8, 2024: French regulators look to ban Polymarket after election betting surge that saw French "Trump Whale" collect around $48 million in profits from this year's election.
Nov. 7, 2024: Several members of the newly elected or reelected Congress may keep heat on regulators for legal election betting.
Nov. 7, 2024: Election bettors are expected to have made $450 million collectively after the Republican's and Donald Trump's victory.
Nov. 6, 2024: The 2024 U.S. Election drew massive global betting action, as Polymarket took in $3.7 billion in wagers while U.K.-based Betfair announced a $322 million election handle.
Nov. 6, 2024: The Republican Party is the early favorite for the 2028 U.S. Election.
Nov. 6, 2024: Prediction betting apps Kalshi and Polymarket top the App Store charts during Tuesday's 2024. U.S. Election.
Nov. 6, 2024: Donald Trump wins the presidential race, which is a potential victory for legal U.S. election betting markets in the future.
Nov. 5, 2024: Joe Rogan publicly endorses Donald Trump as the latest sports celebrity to rally around an election candidate.
Nov. 5, 2024: Celebrity endorsements continue as both Lady Gaga and Madonna publicly support Kamala Harris.
Nov. 5, 2024: Magic Johnson analyzes Harris/Trump in a sports-style ad targeting young male voters. Harris is stepping up her efforts to win over this demographic in the lead-up to Election Day.
Nov. 4, 2024: Several Missouri professional teams appeal to local voters to approve legal sports betting on Tuesday's Election Day ballot.
Nov. 4, 2024: Casino operators — including Miriam Adelson, Steve Wynn, Phil Ruffin, and Kenny Trout — are among the 135 billionaires funding the U.S. election.
Nov. 3, 2024: The latest poll from Iowa has Kamala Harris ahead of Donald Trump by three points.
Nov. 1, 2024: Covers' own Geoff Zochodne examines why the U.S. should legalize election betting.
Nov. 1, 2024: Connecticut warns the public about election betting and the risks of wagering on an unlicensed platform.
Oct. 30, 2024: Legal gambling is the common ground for Trump and Harris supporters, as a new study from the American Gaming Association reveals that a majority of voters support the legalization of betting.
Oct. 30, 2024: Covers is tracking the largest wagers placed on the election in the run-up to Nov. 5, including a $302K bet on Kanye West for President.
Oct. 29, 2024: Kalshi has had almost $200 million traded on the U.S. election, vaulting the exchange and prediction app to number one in the App Store's 'Finance' category.
Oct. 29, 2024: Robinhood launches a U.S. election betting option due to the rising popularity of wagering on the presidential race.
Oct. 28, 2024: Covers' Geoff Zochodne examines how and when will U.S. election bets get settled.
Oct. 25, 2024: U.K. bettors are expected to wager more on the U.S. election than their own general election.
Oct. 24, 2024: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is taking on the unofficial role of "elections cop" with the U.S. election less than two weeks away.
Oct. 23, 2024: The demand for Kalshi has exploded after re-launching U.S. election betting markets, as more than $70 million has been wagered on the platform in the past three weeks.
Oct. 22, 2024: Donald Trump is now the 'big favorite' with two weeks to go, according to the latest U.S. election betting odds.
Oct. 21, 2024: U.S. election betting 'whales' start to surface at prediction market Kalshi, as reports indicate one user placed a $500K bet on Democrat Harris to win.
Oct. 18, 2024: Election betting markets continue to grow, especially outside of the U.S.
Oct. 2, 2024: The U.S. Presidential betting odds are unchanged after the vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance.
Oct. 2, 2024: U.S. election betting to resume at Kalshi after receiving approval from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Sept. 20, 2024: Kalshi — an odds provider — argues that U.S. election betting can help combat misinformation.
Sept. 17, 2024: A U.S. federal regulator says the recent 'explosion' of election betting will harm the public's interest amidst a Kalshi and CFTC legal battle.
Sept. 16, 2024: The U.S. election odds are available and stable after Donald Trump's apparent assassination attempt this past weekend.
Sept. 13, 2024: Covers' Geoff Zochodne examines why U.S. election betting is simultaneously blowing up and breaking down due to a lack of legal betting options despite strong public interest.
Sept. 13, 2024: The U.S. Appeals Court halts election wagering on Kalshi, which is an event-outcome platform that provided a loophole for bettors to wager on the upcoming Federal election.
Sept. 11, 2024: Kamala Harris regains the lead after the first debate with Donald Trump.
Sept. 9, 2024: Kalshi receives approval to offer election betting markets after a judge overturns a previous decision that blocked the prediction startup.
Sept. 9, 2024: Donald Trump is the betting favourite again ahead of Tuesday's debate against Kamala Harris.
Sept. 4, 2024: Covers' Ryan Butler outlines the five most important races in the 2024 U.S. election.
Aug. 27, 2024: Donald Trump's odds are unaffected after Tulsi Gabbard's endorsement.
Aug. 23, 2024: Donald Trump's 2024 presidential hopes are boosted as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspends his campaign.
Aug. 22, 2024: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are co-favored (-110) to become the next president of the United States.
Aug. 8, 2024: Several seismic historic events in July have propelled Kamala Harris as the betting favourite in the U.S. presidential election.
Aug. 6, 2024: Democrats support election betting ban as interests in U.S. political wagering surges ahead of the 2024 election. Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' odds hold steady after selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz as her vice president, remaining as a consensus +110 underdog to former President Donald Trump.
July 22, 2024: Joe Biden's exit upends U.S. election betting odds as Kamala Harris moves to a -900 favourite to emerge as the Democratic candidate and a +200 underdog to be named the next President of the United States.
July 21, 2024: Joe Biden announces he will not accept the Democratic nomination and will instead back current Vice President Kamala Harris.
July 18, 2024: Live reporting of the shift in the U.S. Election betting markets ahead of Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
July 17, 2024: U.K.-based online sportsbooks bet365 and Fitzdares continue to take election betting action, while DraftKings joins FanDuel and BetMGM as operators that have suspended election betting markets in Canada.
July 15, 2024: J.D. Vance fails to shift betting odds after being appointed Trump's new vice president.
July 15, 2024: FanDuel and BetMGM suspend U.S. election betting markets in Canada following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.
July 5, 2024: Covers' own Geoff Zochodne examines Ontario sportsbook's insights into the upcoming U.S. election.
July 3, 2024: Kamala Harris is now favored (-110) to be the next Democratic candidate. Joe Biden's odds continue to fall — the president is now +240 to represent the Democrats in 2024.
July 2, 2024: Kamala Harris' Democratic party candidate odds move to +350, while Gavin Newsom's drop to +650. Joe Biden remains a -175 favourite to represent the Democrats.
June 28, 2024: Joe Biden sees his presidential odds slide to +400 after stumbling through the first debate. California Governor Gavin Newsom's odds skyrocket from +2000 to +500 as many wonder if Newsom could replace Biden as the Democratic candidate.
June 27, 2024: With Biden and Trump set to square off in the first presidential debate of 2024, 'The Donald' remains a -150 favourite to return to the Oval Office.
May 30, 2024: Donald Trump becomes the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes as he is found guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records leading up to the 2016 election. Sentencing is set for July 11, 2024.
May 29, 2024: Donald Trump is now a -138 betting favourite at bet365 to win the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Joe Biden has the second-shortest odds at +137.
May 14, 2024: A new Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) proposal attempts to ban political wagering in U.S. derivatives markets.
May 4, 2024: Donald Trump is now a -120 favourite to become president. Joe Biden is a slight underdog at +110.
March 26, 2024: Joe Biden's odds shorten to +140 at bet365.
March 15, 2024: Donald Trump remains the betting favourite (-110) to become the next president of the United States. Incumbent Joe Biden sits at +175.
March 13, 2024: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura are among the shortlisted candidates to run as U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vice-presidential running mate.
March 10, 2024: At +350 odds, Kristi Noem is the favourite to be the next Republican vice presidential candidate. Tim Scott is close behind at +500.
Legal political betting in the US, UK, and Canada
Sportsbooks all over the world offer betting lines and odds on politics. However, federal law prohibits political wagering in the U.S., meaning no legal U.S. sportsbooks are allowed to offer betting odds on politics.
In the UK and Canada, bettors can wager on politics and elections. The best political betting sites give their users opportunities to bet on the outcomes of North American and international political events.
Exploring different types of political bets
While the most popular political wager is a bet made on the outcome of an election, there are several other types of bets offered by the best Canadian political betting sites. UK bettors can also make a variety of bets on political markets.
Moneyline bets
When the two presidential candidates are announced, political betting sites will set moneyline odds for each to win the election.
Prop bets
You can wager on several prop bets unrelated to the outcome of an election. These secondary markets include choosing the vice-presidential nominee, the next leader of a political party, and whether the president will complete the entire four-year term.
Over/Unders (totals)
Choose the balance of power by betting the Over/Under — ‘Over 50 seats’ or ‘Under 50 seats’ for example.
Futures bets
If you’re betting on a presidential nominee market, you’re placing a futures bet. Futures give you longer odds as there are multiple candidates in the running. The higher the odds, the more unlikely the outcome.
Exotic bets
Exotics include wagers on candidates’ behaviour. For example, during the 2020 election, you could find odds on how many times Donald Trump would say certain things during debates like 'fake news' or 'Sleepy Joe.'
Proven tips for political betting success
Betting on politics can be quite lucrative if you put your money on the right sportsbook candidate. Here are a few tips to consider to improve your chances of staying in the black — even when you bet on red.
Understand the odds
Most political betting sites in the U.S. use decimal odds to represent favorites and underdogs. Higher decimal odds indicate a less likely outcome, while lower odds suggest a higher probability.
To calculate potential winnings, multiply your stake by the decimal odds provided.
For example, a $100 wager at 2.50 odds would result in a potential payout of $250 ($100 x 2.50), including the original $100 stake and $150 in profit.
Use multiple betting sites
We always recommend line shopping for long-term profitability. Don’t bet the first number you see, as there is a good chance another betting site will offer you the same outcome at a better price.
Additionally, you may find additional betting markets when exploring different political betting sites. One platform may limit you to the 2025 Canadian federal election, while others may accept wagers on additional props and futures.
Follow the news
When betting on politics, you should be informed on what's happening in current affairs, the election race, and beyond. Pay attention to multiple news and opinion sources to get a clearer picture of where each side stands.
Avoid political bias
Just as we advise against instinctively backing your favorite team, we strongly discourage letting your political views influence your wagering habits. Recognize your own political bias and avoid backing yourself into ill-advised bets.
Maximize bonuses
Claim the top betting site bonuses to take full advantage of new-user welcome offers. Pay attention to the terms and conditions to ensure you aren't hitching a futures bet to a bonus that requires your wager to settle before election day.
Stay informed with the latest political betting news
Promoting responsible gambling practices
Whether you’re betting on politics or sports, it’s important to do so in a responsible manner. Remember, there’s always risk involved with online gambling, and a bet that looks to be a sure-fire win can just as easily turn out to be a loss.
If you or a loved one are a problem gambler, or you believe someone in your life may be becoming a problem gambler, reach out for help. Speak with your family doctor or health care provider.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers boasts more than 25 years of sports betting experience. Our long-standing relationship with regulated, licensed, and legal gaming sites allows our active community of 20-million users to access expert analysis and recommendations. Covers may receive an advertising commission if you visit a sportsbook or casino betting site via select affiliate links across our site, create an account, and make a deposit. However, no amount of money ensures that an operator will get listed.
Spotlight: Betting site of the month
If you’re looking to wager on elections and politics, one of our preferred sites is bet365. The self-proclaimed ‘World’s Favorite Sportsbook,’ bet365 delivers some of the best odds and betting options for political betting.
bet365 supports several popular banking methods, including lightning-fast Interac deposits, and withdrawals options that can get you your cash in less than 24 hours. Customer service at bet365 also ranks among the best in the industry, with live chat available 24/7.
Fully licensed and regulated, bet365 provides a safe and secure betting platform where you can be assured your cash and personal information are protected. Read our complete bet365 review for a full breakdown of the political betting site.
Blacklisted betting sites
See all blacklisted sportsbooks
We put sports and political betting sites to the test — but we also listen to our users. We've flagged the following operators as online sportsbooks that use questionable tactics and treat customers unfairly. We strongly recommend avoiding these unreliable websites.

- Allegations of withdrawal issues
- No license information available on site
- Poor customer service

- Multiple reports of slow payments
- Allegations of non-payments
- Risk of account closure simply for winning bets

- Reports of confiscated winnings
- Slow customer support response times
Political betting sites summary
| 📆 2025 Canadian federal election date | April 28, 2025 |
| ⭐ Betting favourites | Conservative Party, Liberal Party |
| 🥇 Best sign-up bonus | Sports Interaction |
| 💰 Sign-up bonuses | Deposit match, first bet match |
| 💵 Bet types | Moneyline, props, totals, futures |
| 🔵 Conservative leader | Pierre Poilievre |
| 🔴 Liberal leader | Mark Carney |
| 🎂 Legal age for betting | 19; 18 (AB, MB, QC) |
Featured pages for further exploration
Taking a break from politics? Dive into the following guides to find the sportsbooks and sign-up bonuses that best meet your betting needs in 2025:
Election betting FAQ
The U.S. midterm election favorite is the Republican Party, albeit slightly.
Minimum and maximum bet amounts vary depending on the bettor and political betting site. Check your preferred political betting site’s help or FAQ section or contact support for minimum and maximum betting limits.
Age and location requirement can vary depending on your chosen political betting site and where you are located. Currently, no legal sportsbook operating in the United States offers betting on politics and elections. Be sure to check the age requirements when selecting a sportsbook as the legal age to place a bet at sportsbooks can differ.
The odds for political events are typically calculated using algorithms that study polling data, current bets, and other betting data. Candidate news and behaviour can also affect betting odds.
Sportsbooks operating in the United States are not allowed to offer betting on U.S. elections and politics, but prediction markets like Kalshi can. Political betting sites in Canada can offer odds on elections and politics in several countries. For example, bet365 currently has odds on elections in the USA, UK, Australia, and Ireland.
Live political betting is very rare, as unlike sporting events there is not regular live action. Live betting may be available during something like a debate, but typically most political bets must be accepted before events occur, for example prior to the polls opening on election day.
Joshua Howe is a content manager at Covers, helping make smarter sports bettors since 2021. An experienced writer and editor, he has developed a sterling reputation within the iGaming space as a meticulous and thoughtful content creator, consistently focused on editorial leadership and strategy, engaging diverse audiences, providing authoritative industry analyses, and crafting compelling stories across multiple mediums. He has reviewed over 30 sportsbooks and has been placing his own wagers for four years and counting.








