Bill · S. 4226· Senate(119-S-4226)
STOP Corrupt Bets Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The STOP Corrupt Bets Act of 2026 aims to amend the Commodity Exchange Act. It seeks to prohibit certain event contracts on prediction markets. Specifically, it bans transactions involving political elections, certain government actions, sporting events, and military actions. An exception is made for agreements used for hedging or mitigating commercial risk regarding government actions. Additionally, the bill mandates a GAO study on prediction markets and related impacts.
Yes
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+3
The bill seeks to prevent a regulatory structure that permits gambling on significant political and social events.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill mandates a GAO study to address insider trading and preserve the integrity of prediction markets.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+1
The bill directs a GAO study specifically examining the impacts of prediction market trading on individuals aged 18 to 20.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prohibition of certain event contracts (Section 2): This provision prevents the listing or trading of contracts related to political elections, contests, government actions, sporting events, and military actions. This is intended to prevent a federal regulatory structure that permits gambling (Section s 3).
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Hedging exception (Section 2): For actions taken by the executive, legislative, or judicial branches, the prohibition does not apply to agreements used for hedging or mitigating commercial risk as determined by the Commission.
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GAO Study on prediction markets (Section 4): The Comptroller General will conduct a study that includes looking into insider trading and the impacts on individuals aged 18 to 20 years old. This study aims to provide recommendations to Congress to preserve the integrity of prediction markets.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Prohibition of certain event contracts (Section 2): The bill prohibits any agreement, contract, transaction, or swap involving political elections, government actions, sporting events, or military actions from being traded through a registered entity. This could restrict certain types of trading and transactions.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Young Adults+1
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts