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Kalshi Betting Review: Why It's The Best App For Election Betting

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Kalshi is the best option for US election betting this year. 

In our Kalshi betting app review, we'll tell you everything you need to know about the company and product-- it is the best election betting site

You can sign up for Kalshi and get a $20 bonus when you click right here.


For those who can't wait to start betting on Kalshi, here's the TLDR version: 


    •    What is Kalshi? It is a prediction market where you can bet on real-world events.

    •    Availability: Accessible in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

    •    Bet Types: Elections, Politics, Culture, Financials, Crypto, Climate, and more.  

    •    Signup Bonus: Deposit $100, get $20 bonus (available to new users only)


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Kalshi Betting, Explained

Kalshi is one of the top prediction market platforms.

As their name implies — Kalshi is the Arabic word for everything — users will find a vast menu stretching beyond the confines of politics.

A financial exchange and prediction market, Kalshi allows you to trade contracts on the outcomes of future events, ranging from politics, pop culture, business, the economy, and much more.

But as their name entails — Kalshi is the Arabic word for everything — users will find a vast menu stretching beyond the confines of politics.

The concept of prediction markets has been discussed, theorized, and debated for decades, mostly in academic settings. Kalshi is making prediction markets mainstream. 

In 2020, Kalshi received approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to operate as a Designated Contract Market (DCM), making it the first regulated exchange where users can trade events contracts in the United States.

Betting began on Kalshi in July 2021, when the company officially launched its trading platform. 

Most recently, Kalshi launched the first legal election markets in the U.S. in nearly a century. 

In short, Kalshi is the best place to bet on the outcome of the election and an endless number of other real-world events

Kalshi sets itself apart from traditional gambling platforms by operating as a peer-to-peer exchange, offering fairer odds and betting options unrelated to sports. As the first federally regulated prediction market, Kalshi is unique compared to unregulated prediction markets that run on blockchain technology.


Who is Kalshi for?

Kalshi is for anyone wanting to bet on almost anything. The platform caters to retail and institutional traders alike, offering low fees, no minimum deposit requirements, diverse markets with simple rules and fair resolutions, as well as high position limits and sufficient liquidity.

Whether you are a first-time prediction market user only wanting to trade a few dollars or if you're an experienced trader looking to invest thousands on the outcomes real-world events, Kalshi meets your needs. 


How to Sign up on Kalshi

Those looking to sign up on Kalshi can do so in 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.


Additionally, if you click on our link to sign up you will get a $20 bonus when you make your first deposit of $100 or more. 

There are three requirements for opening an account:


    •    Users must be 18 years or older

    •    Have a legal, U.S. residential address within the 50 states, D.C., or U.S. territories

    •    Have a bank account can be linked to Kalshi


Is Kalshi Legit?

Yes, Kalshi is most certainly legit. Don't believe me? Just ask the CFTC, which oversees the financial exchange, ensuring consumer protection and safety with its strict regulatory requirements. 

Kalshi users can sleep well at night knowing their money is secure and that they'll be able to get it quickly whenever they want to withdraw funds. As of Oct. 28, they also accept crypto deposits in addition to standard deposits from bank accounts.

Additionally, Kalshi provides clear resolution rules for every single market, explaining exactly how outcomes will be verified. This is one of the many things that sets Kalshi apart from its decentralized prediction market competitors, which routinely have controversial resolution disputes. 



How Do You Bet on Kalshi?

Betting on Kalshi may look intimidating at first, but it's easy to learn how to trade event contracts, thanks to the platform's layout and user-friendly features. 


Let's walk through how to place a Kalshi bet, using the U.S. election as an example. 

Kalshi's betting odds are represented as prices, much like a stock. For each market, users can bet 'YES' or 'NO' on its available outcomes. In this case, the question is "Who will win the Presidential Election?". Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are allocated 'YES' and 'NO' prices, which are determined not by oddsmakers but by the supply and demand within the market. 


kalshi betting market view 

 

The prices also represent the likelihood of the event occurring, according to the market.

In the screenshot above, 'YES' contracts on Donald Trump winning the election are priced at 63¢. Each share pays out $1.00 if the event occurs and $0 if it doesn't.

So if you buy one share of Trump to win the election, your 63¢ will pay out $1.00, netting a 37¢ profit. 

When you're ready to bet, make sure to click 'YES' or 'NO', input how many contracts you want to buy at the given prices (each contract costs anywhere from 1¢ to 99¢), then click 'Review.' 

kalshi bet contract

Review your bet to ensure it's what you want in terms of the outcome, number of contracts, and average price. You can also preview your fees (if there are any) and payout here. When you're ready to lock in your bet, click 'Submit.'

kalshi app view

An advantage of betting on Kalshi is that you don't have to see the event all the way through to make money. Prices are dynamic, and you can actually sell your shares before the event occurs, either to ensure profit on your investment or to mitigate your risk. 

kamala betting market

The market's order book displays bids (buy orders) and asks (sell orders) organized by price, alongside information that shows the market's liquidity. 

kalshi bid ask spread view

This is how Kalshi matches buyers and sellers to execute trades. You can place your own bids and asks as well. 



Kalshi Bet Types

If politics isn't your thing, we have no doubt that you'll be able to find something that is. 

Kalshi's betting menu and bet types cover a diverse range of topics. There's too many to list here, but these are the main categories:

    •    Elections

    •    Economics

    •    Politics

    •    Culture

    •    Financials

    •    Crypto

    •    Tech & Science

    •    Climate

    •    World

    •    Transportation


Each category has subcategories, creating a robust betting menu that spans almost anything you can think of short of sports. Kalshi consistently adds new markets, so the number of betting options grow by the day. 


Pros and Cons of Betting on Kalshi

Pros:

    •    Accessibility: Kalshi is available throughout all 50 states, plus U.S. territories, making Kalshi the most widely available betting platform in the United States. 

    •    Usability: Kalshi's betting platform is intuitive and easy to use, making it an excellent user experience no matter your trading acumen. 

    •    Clear rules: Resolution disputes plague other prediction platforms, but not Kalshi. The company makes sure its rules are clear and precise, clarifying how each outcome will be determined, leaving little room for ambiguity. 

    •    Low entry point, high limits: It only takes $1.00 to start trading, but you can invest as much as $25,000 in some markets. 

    •    Bet types: Kalshi creates timely and interesting markets across a wide range of topics. There's something for everyone. 

    •    Sign-up bonus: New users get a $20 bonus when the deposit at least $100.


Cons:

    •    Liquidity issues: Though Kalshi has a lot of markets, the more niche markets have liquidity restraints, making it difficult to execute larger trades. 

    •    Customer support limitations: Kalshi's customer support is primarily available through web forms and email, with no live chat or telephone support, making it less-than-ideal if you need immediate assistance.



Conclusion 

Kalshi deservingly stands out as the top prediction market available to U.S. bettors, offering a unique and regulated platform for users to test their prediction and trading skills on a wide range of real-world events. 

Its robust betting menu sets it apart from traditional sportsbooks that focus only on sports. The company's clear rules and regulated status allow users to trade confidently, knowing their money is safe and secure. 

With a growing number of markets, many of which are niche, liquidity can occasionally be an issue. However, the most popular markets, like the presidential election, have more than enough liquidity for casual and serious traders alike. 

All in all, Kalshi's accessibility and straightforward interface make it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to participate in prediction markets.


Sign up and get a $20 bonus with Kalshi by clicking right here.

author

Kyle Scott

Kyle Scott runs OnPattison.com and is also the President of parent company Access Global Media, which reaches more than half a million readers through its network of sites across the Philly area, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore. Scott founded and ran CrossingBroad.com before selling it to publicly-traded XLMedia in 2020, where he served as SVP of North America Sports for two years. He has more than 15 years experience in sports and digital media, and online marketing. In addition, he has also written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29, and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other sports talk stations.