How to Bet on the US Election

More money will be wagered on the 2024 US election than the Super Bowl. But just how do you bet on the US Presidential election? 

That’s a good question, one that we’ll answer below. Additionally, we’ll show you where to bet, how to sign up, what you can bet on, and why betting on the presidential is legal this year.

Sign up for Kalshi here to get started betting on the election.

Best U.S. Presidential Election Betting Site

Betting on politics dates back centuries, but Americans can do so legally for the first time in 100 years.


There are a few different sites where you can make election bets - including now Robinhood -  but one stands above the rest as the top US presidential election betting site this year.

Kalshi

Why do we like Kalshi? In short, it is our choice for:

• Best election betting app
• Best election betting markets
• Best elections odds

Launching in July 2021, Kalshi is the first regulated prediction market exchange in the United States, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) providing regulatory oversight. 

Thanks to a federal appeals court decision, the company launched its first presidential election market on Oct. 2, 2024 — the first of its kind in nearly a century. 

The company has quickly established itself as a hegemon in the nascent prediction market industry, having already facilitated more than $100 million in election bets as it sprints to Election Day. 

Is Kalshi legit? Yes, Kalshi is legit. 

The company has clear rules for every market, explaining what source they use to determine the outcome. 

For example, the presidential winner will be determined by which party “is inaugurated as President for the term beginning January 20, 2025,” verifying the outcome by the Office of the Presidency.

Easy enough.

I prefer making my election bets on desktop, but if you’re a mobile user, Kalshi is by far the best election betting app. 

It’s easy to download, use, and navigate, creating an all-around excellent user experience. The Kalshi app makes it easy to trade on the go, especially if you’re trying to react quickly to any news.

Two more things to touch on as it relates to betting on the presidential election with Kalshi:


They have the best odds and payouts. Unlike other sites, Kalshi doesn’t charge fees for their presidential winner market, so you get the best available odds.

The best part about betting on the election with Kalshi? They are the only legal election betting site that provides a sign-up offer to new users — you get a $20 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100.

Now that you understand why Kalshi is the best election betting site, let’s walk through its sign-up process.

How To Sign Up

Those looking to sign up and bet on the US presidential election can do so quickly and safely. It only takes a few simple steps:

    •    Create an account with Kalshi by clicking here. No promo is necessary.

    •    Click the green “Sign up” button in the top right corner.

    •    Complete the sign-up instructions.

    •    Make your first deposit via your bank account or wire transfer.

Important note: To get the $20 bonus, you have to make a first-time deposit of $100 or more

Other requirements:


    •    Must be 18 years or older

    •    Must have a legal, U.S residential address

    •    Must have a bank account that can be linked to Kalshi

States Where You Can Bet on the Presidential Election 

As we mentioned earlier, you can bet on the US presidential election anywhere in the US: 

    •    Alabama

    •    Alaska

    •    Arizona

    •    Arkansas

    •    California

    •    Colorado

    •    Connecticut

    •    Delaware

    •    Florida

    •    Georgia

    •    Hawaii

    •    Idaho

    •    Illinois

    •    Indiana

    •    Iowa

    •    Kansas

    •    Kentucky

    •    Louisiana

    •    Maine

    •    Maryland

    •    Massachusetts

    •    Michigan

    •    Minnesota

    •    Mississippi

    •    Missouri

    •    Montana

    •    Nebraska

    •    Nevada

    •    New Hampshire

    •    New Jersey

    •    New Mexico

    •    New York

    •    North Carolina

    •    North Dakota

    •    Ohio

    •    Oklahoma

    •    Oregon

    •    Pennsylvania

    •    Rhode Island

    •    South Carolina

    •    South Dakota

    •    Tennessee

    •    Texas

    •    Utah

    •    Vermont

    •    Virginia

    •    Washington

    •    West Virginia

    •    Wisconsin

    •    Wyoming

    •    District of Columbia

Types of Bets You Can Place on the Presidential Election

Kalshi election betting odds 

The upcoming presidential election is turning into a betting extravaganza.

Wou can wager on far more than simply the winner, though. 

For example, you can bet on who will win the popular vote, the winner of specific states, Electoral College margins, swing state props, and more.


The screenshot above is merely a snippet of the many presidential election bets you can make. There are too many markets to list here. And new markets are being added every day.

In addition to wagering on the presidential election, you can bet on other political events, such as senate races (like PA senate race odds), cabinet nominations, policy matters, and beyond — the options are endless. 

How to Read Election Betting Odds

Now, let’s look at election odds and prediction market prices. 

If you're a sports bettor, you're used to reading American moneyline odds (e.g., +110), spreads, and totals. 

But betting on elections in prediction markets is a bit different.

In these markets, “election odds” are represented as prices. Users can bet ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ on a candidate’s chance of winning, similar to buying or shorting a stock. 

In this case, the "stock" is a candidate or outcome, like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

To explain this further, let’s look at current prediction market prices for both 2024 presidential candidates:


    •    Donald Trump: 60¢ 

    •    Kamala Harris: 40¢

What do these prices mean, and how do they compare to betting odds?



It’s simple: The candidate’s price indicates the cost of a “contract” and the candidate’s implied probability of winning. 

For example, if you want to bet on Trump, you will buy contracts at 60¢ each, potentially returning $1.00 each. Remember that the price implies that Trump has a 60% chance of winning, according to the market. 

If you buy 100 Trump contracts at 60¢, you'll invest $60, with a potential payout of $100—netting a $40 profit.

Converted to betting odds, Trump’s 60¢ price equals a -150 moneyline favorite.

If you want to bet on Harris, contracts cost 40¢. Betting $40 on her could win you $100, giving you a $60 profit if she wins. This translates to +150 moneyline odds.

One significant advantage of prediction markets is the ability to sell your position before the event resolves. In other words, you can cash out early. 

Say you invest $40 on Harris at 40¢, and her price surges to 60¢ by Election Day; you can sell for $60—earning a $20 profit (+50% ROI) before the winner is officially determined. 

Similarly, if you bet on Trump at 60¢ but want to reduce your risk, you can sell your position anytime.



Prediction markets offer flexibility similar to a stock market, giving you more control over your bets than ever before. 

Current 2024 US Presidential Election Odds

While we can’t cover everything, here are some notable 2024 presidential election odds, alongside their current prices on prediction markets:

Note: Prices and odds are subject to change.

Who Will Win the Presidential Election?

    •    Donald Trump: 62¢ (-163)

    •    Kamala Harris: 38¢ (+163)

Who Will Win the Popular Vote?

    •    Kamala Harris: 62¢ (-163)

    •    Donald Trump: 38¢ (+163)

Who Will Win Pennsylvania in the Presidential Election?

    •    Donald Trump: 61¢ (-156)

    •    Kamala Harris: 39¢ (+156)

Sign up and start betting on the election with a $20 bonus by clicking here.