The U.S. House of Representatives is putting off a vote on banning prediction markets, despite bipartisan calls for a prohibition. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is urging Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote swiftly, pressing the issue as the debate over the legality of event-based betting continues.
A procedural pause
The House has not yet scheduled a vote on the measure, which would effectively outlaw prediction markets in the United States. Jeffries, the top Democrat in the chamber, wants Johnson to move quickly. “Swiftly hold a vote,” he said, according to reports. The delay leaves the fate of prediction market platforms — which allow users to bet on outcomes from elections to sports — in limbo.
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Bipartisan support for a ban
Lawmakers from both parties have voiced support for banning prediction markets, arguing they amount to unregulated gambling that could sway political contests. The bipartisan backing suggests the bill has enough votes to pass if it reaches the floor. But Johnson has not committed to a timeline, and the delay could be a strategic move to attach the ban to a larger must-pass spending package.
What's at stake
For the crypto industry, the ban would set a precedent. Prediction markets are among the few blockchain-based applications that have gained real-world traction, but they operate in a regulatory gray zone. A congressional ban would force platforms to shut down U.S. operations or restructure as regulated exchanges. The delay buys time — but the pressure to act is mounting.
Jeffries' call for a swift vote puts the onus on Johnson. Whether the Speaker will bring the bill to the floor in the coming weeks remains the open question.
