This week, Sim breaks down the rapid rise of prediction markets and betting apps like Kalshi and Polymarket, and why she’s concerned about the way they’re being marketed to young people and women. She explores how these platforms differ from investing, why most users can lose money, and how pop culture campaigns around shows like Love Island are making betting feel more mainstream and accessible. If you’ve ever wondered where the line sits between investing, prediction markets and gambling, this episode explores why understanding the difference matters for your money. Watch on YouTube | Somnipods 3 More from Friends That Invest: Stock Market Tea build financial confidence in under 5 minutes a week. Join 140,000+ investors in training Instagram | TikTok | X | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rise of Betting Apps and Why I’m Worried About Them

Friends That Invest 

Hello and welcome to Friends That Invest. You're joined today by your host Sim. I'm a financial author and investor and I'm here to help you learn about all things investing and personal finance. Now in today's episode I am kind of angry, I am frustrated, I am annoyed and it is not because I am sitting on the floor and missing having a chair.

I am just, I cannot believe that betting has become so mainstream, it has become so popular and if you have been a little bit out of the loop, there are these new and super popular betting apps that have just taken over pop culture and media and they're starting to infiltrate average people.

They're starting to get them to not invest and rather put their money into these betting apps and they're starting to target women specifically as well. And I have a problem with that. I mean it's not like I don't have a problem with gambling towards, I'm not like yeah take a 17 year old boy's money. Like I don't feel strongly about that but I feel very strongly about the negative impact this is having on everyone, young people, but specifically people that are more vulnerable and I'll get into that.

But first things first, can we just talk about how insane this is, why they're getting away with it, what this means for you, how much money you can even be making and more importantly the feminization of betting apps. So without further ado, let's get straight into the episode.

The Rise of Betting Apps and Why I’m Worried About Them

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.

The Rise of Betting Apps and Why I’m Worried About Them

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast, not the earnings call.

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.