Gallagher Joins Bipartisan Effort to Ban Betting on Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James Gallagher (CA-01) joined Congressman George Whitesides (D-CA), Congressman Vince Fong (R-CA), and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-OR) in introducing the bipartisan No Bets on Wildfires Act, legislation that would prohibit prediction markets from allowing people to bet on wildfires and profit from the destruction of North State communities.

The legislation comes after more than $1 million in wildfire-related bets were placed on the prediction market platform Polymarket during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires in early 2025. Users wagered on how many acres would burn and which communities would be impacted, raising serious concerns about the potential financial incentives created by allowing individuals to bet on natural disasters.

“In Northern California, we know all too well the devastation wildfires can bring. Families have lost their homes, entire communities have been destroyed, and lives have been turned upside down,” said Congressman Gallagher. “The idea that someone could turn around and profit by betting on the next wildfire is absolutely outrageous. These disasters are not a game, and nobody should be gambling on the suffering of our communities. I'm proud to join Congressman Whitesides in this bipartisan effort to put a stop to it.”

For Northern California communities still recovering from catastrophic wildfires, including the 2018 Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, the legislation addresses a troubling practice that allows individuals to financially benefit from disasters that have claimed lives and destroyed entire neighborhoods.

The No Bets on Wildfires Act would prohibit registered entities from listing or clearing financial contracts and transactions tied to wildfires, regardless of how the fires are started. The measure seeks to close a gap in federal law that currently allows wildfire-related wagering on prediction markets.

“It is abhorrent that anyone would attempt to profit off of the damage caused by wildfires, particularly after the devastation and suffering that Los Angeles County experienced last year,” said Congressman Whitesides. “My bill is simple. No one, on any prediction market or betting platform, should be allowed to gamble on any issue relating to wildfires.”

“Oregon just experienced the worst wildfire season on record. No one should have a financial incentive to cause or cash in on that devastation,” said Rep. Salinas. “Oregonians know how devastating wildfires can be. They destroy homes, threaten lives, and leave entire communities picking up the pieces. Allowing people to cash in on that devastation is outrageous. I'm proud to join Congressman Whitesides in introducing this commonsense legislation to put a stop to wildfire betting and protect our communities.” 

“Our communities are all too familiar with the devastation wildfires can cause,” said Rep. Fong. “The last thing we should be doing is allowing people to profit from that destruction. This bipartisan legislation closes a clear gap in federal law and ensures that the suffering of wildfire victims is never a betting opportunity.” 

The bipartisan legislation reflects a shared commitment among lawmakers from wildfire-prone states to prevent financial speculation from creating incentives tied to the destruction of communities.

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Rep. James Gallagher | 408 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US

Congressman James Gallagher proudly represents California’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.