A new trend has emerged in online betting where individuals can wager on potential geopolitical events and outcomes, including military actions and political elections. Currently, users are betting on whether Iran will be the next country bombed by the United States and predicting the results of Sweden's general elections. According to gaming researcher Håkan Wall, this trend resembles a stock market, where the price reflects the perceived likelihood of an event occurring.

One of the notable prediction markets, Polymarket, currently indicates a 69% probability that Magdalena Andersson will become Sweden's next Prime Minister, with her opponents, Ulf Kristersson and Jimmie Åkesson, at 13% and 11% respectively. This approach to betting allows users not only to speculate on fixed odds but to buy a 'yes' or 'no' proposition at varying prices based on market dynamics and emerging information. The volatility in prices as rumors or new details are introduced highlights the speculative nature of these platforms.

However, the rise of such prediction markets has led to discussions about the ethical implications of betting on serious issues like war and political leadership. Critics describe this form of wagering as inappropriate, reflecting concerns that it trivializes significant geopolitical and sociopolitical crises. As this trend grows, it raises questions about the societal impacts of such betting practices and the normalization of gambling on serious global events.