Federally regulated prediction markets have tried to appeal to young women on social media, especially with pop culture gambling.
Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket have taken bets on Taylor Swift, for example. Kalshi has a slogan that claims everyone can be an expert on something and profit from it.
A proposed Colorado project aims to help young women avoid financial harm from online gambling platforms, including prediction markets.
Bet Like a Girl
The proposal is called “Bet Like a Girl,” and the idea comes from the Denver nonprofit Play2Peak. It seeks a $289,850 grant from the Colorado Division of Gaming.
“Gambling addiction is rapidly evolving, fueled by online platforms, influencer marketing, and the normalization of betting culture among young women,” its grant proposal stated. “Bet Like a Girl is a creative, research-informed prevention and education campaign that uses the power of storytelling to challenge this trend.”
The project aims to produce a multi-episode narrative podcast and a short companion video emphasizing how gambling is increasingly portrayed as social, aspirational, and empowering in digital spaces. The goal is to help girls critically assess these messages and make more informed decisions.
An alarming number of online bettors, including prediction market users, believe they can reliably earn money or even become rich through gambling. Prediction markets are often advertised as games of skill.
Sports Betting Among Women
The “Bet Like a Girl” campaign could also help educate young women about the risks associated with sports betting. Though the core demographic of online sports betting is men, long-shot sports betting parlays are also popular with young women.
“This project combines evidence-based communication strategies with creative storytelling to confront one of the fastest-emerging public health issues: the rise of gambling among young women,” the project proposal description concluded.
Colorado regulates online sports betting but not online casino gambling. Online casino play in the state can be accessed through so-called sweepstakes casinos and offshore platforms. There are various other forms of online gaming that include gambling features.
Some forms of online gambling have age verification, while others do not.
Discover more from GamblingHarm.org
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
