Comment Text:
Dear Chairman and Commissioners,
My name is Janette Rodriguez, and I'm a regular citizen from California writing to share my thoughts on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Prediction Markets, as published in 91 FR 12516. I've been actively trading on platforms like Kalshi for a while now, and I strongly support the idea of well-regulated prediction markets. I believe they provide unique value to people like me and to society as a whole, and I hope the CFTC will craft rules that allow these markets to thrive without unnecessary restrictions.
I got into trading on prediction markets because I wanted better information about things that affect my life, like elections and major public events. I've noticed that the forecasts on these platforms are often way more accurate than what I hear from polls or pundits on TV. For example, during the last election cycle, I followed the odds on Kalshi and saw predictions that lined up much closer to the actual results than any news outlet I checked. That kind of insight helps me make sense of the world, and I think its valuable for everyone, not just traders. Its like having a tool that cuts through the noise.
I also want to stress that regulated markets like Kalshi are a safer place for people like me to participate. I've heard about unregulated offshore platforms, and they sound risky. No oversight, no accountability. If the CFTC cracks down too hard or bans these markets outright, I worry that activity will just move to those unsafe spaces where theres no protection for regular folks. Keeping prediction markets under your watch, with clear rules, seems like the smarter way to go. It protects users and keeps the benefits of these markets accessible.
I noticed some of the questions in the ANPR, like Question 7 on balancing innovation and consumer protection, and Question 13 on the public interest benefits of event contracts. My view is that prediction markets are innovative because they give everyday people access to information and a way to engage with big issues. The public interest is served when we can trust the forecasts and use them to plan our lives, whether its preparing for policy changes or just understanding whats coming. But I get that there are concerns about manipulation or bad actors. I think the CFTC already has tools to handle that, and the focus should be on enforcing those rules, not shutting down the whole system.
Im asking you to support proportionate regulation of prediction markets. Dont ban or over-restrict them. Let platforms like Kalshi operate with clear guidelines so people like me can keep benefiting from accurate forecasts in a safe, regulated environment. Thank you for considering my perspective.
Sincerely,
Janette Rodriguez
