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    April 20268 min read

    Prediction Market Platform Transparency Scorecard (2026): Kalshi vs Polymarket and More

    Compare prediction market platforms on rule clarity, resolution transparency, dispute handling, regulator status, and public documentation. See how Kalshi, Polymarket, PredictIt, and others stack up.

    Platforms Scored

    4

    Highest Score

    78/100

    Dimensions

    5

    Trust Events

    6+

    Quick Summary

    The key takeaway from this page

    Kalshi scores highest overall (78/100) for transparency due to CFTC regulation, though the Khamenei death-carveout controversy dented trust. Polymarket (68/100) excels in decentralized resolution but lacks dispute visibility for average users.

    Platform Transparency Scorecard

    Which platforms explain their rules clearly — and which don't?

    Updated April 22, 2026Methodology ↓Compare pages →
    Best Rule Clarity

    Kalshi

    7.5 / 10

    Best Dispute Visibility

    PredictIt

    7.0 / 10

    Most Regulated

    Kalshi

    10.0 / 10

    Biggest Trust Gap

    Kalshi

    Rule-amendment controversy

    Overall Rankings

    Platform scores compared

    RankPlatformScore
    1Kalshi
    78/100
    2PredictIt
    74/100
    3Polymarket
    68/100
    4Robinhood (via Kalshi)
    63/100
    5Sporttrade
    61/100

    Scoring Breakdown

    Detailed dimension scores

    PlatformRulesResolutionDisputes
    Kalshi7.576
    PredictIt77.57
    Polymarket66.55
    Robinhood (via Kalshi)665.5
    Sporttrade6.565.5

    Each dimension scored 1–10. Higher is better.

    Platform Details

    Recent Trust Events

    Timeline of platform controversies

    2026-04-14Ohio OCCC issues $5M notice of intent to fine Kalshi for unlicensed sports-betting operationKalshi
    2026-04-10CFTC TRO granted vs Arizona — bars AZ from enforcing gambling laws against CFTC DCMs; Kalshi criminal arraignment called offKalshi
    2026-04-06Third Circuit rules 2-1 (KalshiEX LLC v. Flaherty): CFTC has exclusive jurisdiction over Kalshi sports event contracts — first federal appeals court win for PM preemptionKalshi
    2026-03-06Business Insider frames Kalshi fine-print dispute as category-wide trust issueKalshi
    2026-03-05"Gambling Is Not Investing" coalition formally launched (Mulvaney)
    2026-03-04Michigan AG Nessel sues Kalshi; Polymarket counter-sues preemptivelyKalshi
    2026-03-03Bloomberg editorial escalates prediction market trust criticism
    2026-02-28Khamenei killed; Kalshi invokes death carveout on $54M market, $2.2M refunds followKalshi
    2025-11-25Polymarket QCX LLC amended CFTC order; US relaunch follows in December 2025Polymarket
    2026-01-20CFTC Chair Selig announces formal rulemaking push for event contracts

    How We Score Transparency

    Our methodology explained

    Rule Clarity

    Are contract terms unambiguous and published before trading opens?

    Resolution Transparency

    Is the resolution process visible and well-documented?

    Dispute Visibility

    Can users see outcomes of challenges and appeals?

    Public Documentation

    Are rules, APIs, policies, and resolution criteria publicly accessible?

    Regulatory Accountability

    Is there meaningful external oversight (CFTC, state, or other)?

    This is an editorial scorecard based on publicly available evidence, not a mathematical model. Scores reflect our assessment as of April 2026. We update this page as platforms change their practices or new trust events occur. This is not investment advice.

    Sources & References

    CFTC.govKalshi.com (public rules)Polymarket.com (UMA oracle docs)PredictIt.org (market rules)Business InsiderBloombergWIREDGamingAmerica.com

    Related Pages

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