<p>Polymarket and Kalshi have become two of the fastest-growing online platforms in the prediction market, hosting bets where people can wager on the outcome of events, including on the conflict in Iran. But some observers have raised concerns that unusually precise, well-timed bets could point to insider dealings. So what exactly are prediction markets? And what does it mean for society when you can bet on almost anything?</p><br><p><em>This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: </em><a href="http://thetimes.com/thestory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>http://thetimes.com/thestory</em></a></p><br><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Chris Stokel-Walker, technology journalist and author.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Manveen Rana.</p><p><strong>Producer:</strong> Sophie McNulty &amp; Julia Webster.</p><p><strong>We want to hear from you - email:</strong> <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></p><br><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-iran/article/polymarket-prediction-markets-iran-war-8mspxw59j?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqfBkaLiIzeR-BC_ywTg-ISdBLvcZeE_vUtGYGifAbP-zvYfSOb9Pz4qTDoAeAg%3D&amp;gaa_ts=69c50545&amp;gaa_sig=NSw-Dg2GB5I6cUkWbC7uxCtU5qHATU3jQaR6EVE2TVFaPYVLNUbggt2Dcwv4yIQLj61dpqYvcCUynwDGR88eqw%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dollars and death threats: the dark side of prediction markets</a></p><p><strong>Further listening: </strong><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-story/id1501716010?i=1000753931985" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How AI helped Trump attack Iran</a></p><p><strong>Clips:</strong> FRENCH 24 English, CNN, 60 Minutes, CBS News, Fox 10 Phoenix, iSpot, The Times, Coinbase.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Photo:</strong> Getty Images.</p><br><p><em>This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism&nbsp;subscribe&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>