Comment Text:
Dear Chairman and Commissioners,
My name is Jan Filip, and I'm just a regular person from Wisconsin writing to share my thoughts on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Prediction Markets (91 FR 12516). I'm not an expert or a big shot, just someone who cares about having the freedom to participate in legal, regulated markets. I've been trading on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket for a while now, and I think these prediction markets are valuable. I hope youll consider my perspective as you work on these rules.
I believe prediction markets aren't gambling, no matter what some folks might say. When I trade on these platforms, I'm not just tossing dice. I'm doing research, following news, and making judgments about real-world events, just like I would if I were investing in stocks. These markets let me and other everyday people hedge against uncertainties, like how an election might affect my taxes or how a policy change could hit my wallet. That's a real economic purpose, not a game. I urge you to look at questions 15 through 22 in your ANPR about defining gaming versus legitimate markets. Please dont classify event contracts as gambling, because theyre not.
I also worry that banning or over-restricting these markets will just push people like me to unregulated offshore platforms. I've seen those sites. They're sketchy, with no oversight, and Id much rather trade on a regulated U.S. market where theres accountability. If you make it too hard to participate here, you're not protecting us, you're driving us to riskier places. And honestly, the U.S. should be leading the way on financial innovation. We shouldnt let other countries take the lead while we sit back and over-regulate. Lets keep this industry here, under your watch. This ties into questions 7 through 14 on balancing innovation and consumer protection. I think you can do both.
Finally, I just want to say, let us regular folks place bets with each other if we choose to. We're not dumb. We know we can lose money, and we're okay with that risk. Don't tread on us by shutting down something we find useful and fair. I'm not asking for a free-for-all, just reasonable rules that let me and my peers participate without being treated like we need a babysitter.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this. I support proportionate regulation of prediction markets, not bans or harsh restrictions. Keep them legal and accessible for people like me, under fair CFTC oversight. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jan Filip
