Comment Text:
I urge you to deny the proposal your agency is currently considering that would allow a private company to accept bets on the outcomes of elections. There are plenty of other things to bet on which are less likely to damage our still-fragile nation.
Low confidence in elections is already an issue in America. Allowing people to place bets on elections would only cause greater concerns about election integrity and a more dangerous environment for election officials.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already spreading wildly. I’m concerned that betting on elections would incentivize people to use AI to create false or misleading content to influence popular opinion and maximize winnings.
I’m also concerned for election officials, who aren’t anticipating betting on election results and who are already facing unprecedented attacks. Allowing betting on elections would lead to more conspiracy theories, lies, and harassment directed at these officials.
Allowing people to bet on election results is also fundamentally opposed to a well-functioning democracy. It promotes a team spectator sport mentality where people are more concerned with their side winning at any cost than learning about policy and engaging with their community for the greater good.
Please reject the proposal to allow betting on election results and take a stand in favor of a healthy democracy. Thank you for your time.
