Comment Text:
I STRONGLY urge you to deny the proposal your agency is currently considering to allow a private company to accept bets on the outcomes of elections. Are you insane!!!
Low confidence in U.S. elections is already a very big issue with reason. 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 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 veryconcerned 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, harassment, even violence directed at these officials.
Allowing people to bet on election results would promote even more of 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 stand firm for a healthy democracy. Thank you for your time.
