Comment Text:
Dear Chairman and Commissioners,
My name is Jason Borntreger, and I'm an everyday citizen from Delaware. I'm writing to share my thoughts on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Prediction Markets, as published in 91 FR 12516. I'm not a big shot or a finance expert, just a regular guy trying to get by with what little I make. I've used prediction markets a few times, and I believe they should be regulated fairly, not banned or overly restricted.
I support prediction markets because they give someone like me a chance to participate in something thats legal and useful. I dont have access to fancy financial tools or insider info, but these markets let me put in a little money based on what I know about the world. Its not gambling, its making informed guesses after reading up on stuff like elections or economic trends. Ive found the prices on these platforms often tell me things I cant get from news or polls. That kind of information helps everyone, not just traders like me. Its a fair shot at understanding whats coming, and I dont think that should be taken away.
What I care about most is the freedom to join in on legal, regulated markets. If you shut regular people like me out, all the good info stays with big institutions. Thats not right. I also think informed trading makes these markets better for everyone. When people who know something trade on it, the prices get closer to the truth. Thats not a bad thing, its a benefit. Sure, theres a risk of insider trading, but thats already illegal. The CFTC has tools to catch bad actors, and I trust you can use them without punishing the rest of us who are just trying to participate honestly.
I noticed in your questions, specifically number 29 under the inside information section, youre asking if informed traders help with price discovery. I believe they do. Their knowledge sharpens the markets predictions, and that helps me and others make better decisions, even with our small stakes. Im not saying ignore the risks, but dont throw out the whole market over a few bad apples.
Im asking you to support proportionate regulation of prediction markets. Keep them legal and accessible for everyday folks like me. Focus on enforcing the rules you already have against manipulation and insider trading, instead of making it impossible for us to take part. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
Jason Borntreger
