Opinion: The immorality of betting on war

In this photo illustration, An app for Polymarket, an online prediction market site, is shown on February 25, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Online prediction market platforms allow people to place bets on wide-ranging subjects such as sports, finance, politics and currents events.

Traders on prediction markets bet on nearly anything. One made more than half a million dollars betting on the U.S. strike against Iran. But should people wager on human suffering?

(Image credit: Scott Olson)