Question 1

How do election markets work?

Accepted Answer

A race is listed as one event with an outcome for each candidate or party, or as a Yes or No question such as whether turnout passes a level. You buy shares in the outcome you expect, and you can sell them before the result if your view changes.

Question 2

How are election odds formed?

Accepted Answer

Odds come from the orders traders place, not from a bookmaker. When people buy a candidate’s shares, the price goes up; when they sell, it goes down. Prices across all candidates of one race usually add up to roughly 100%.

Question 3

What do I get paid if my candidate wins?

Accepted Answer

Each share of the winning outcome pays $1 and every other share pays nothing. The minimum order is 1 in shares, so a first trade can be small; the payout per share never changes, only the price you pay for it.

Question 4

When is an election market settled?

Accepted Answer

It is settled against the source in its rules, usually the official or certified result, or the call by named major news organisations. Recounts and legal challenges can delay settlement; the rules of each market explain which result counts.