How old do you have to be to use prediction markets?
18 on most exchanges, 21 on some. The ages, the ID checks and the reasons behind them.
Short answer (checked 27 September 2026): Kalshi and Polymarket US let you trade from 18. Novig requires 21. Every regulated app checks your identity (name, date of birth, address and usually part of your Social Security number), so you can't get around the age limit. Some states have a higher age of adulthood, and rules may change, so check the age shown at sign-up.
On this page
Minimum age by platform
| Platform | Minimum age (checked 27 September 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | 18 | Confirmed by NBC News and Fortune. |
| Polymarket US | 18 | Confirmed by NBC News. |
| Novig | 21 | Set in its rulebook in August 2026 (Covers). |
| ProphetX | Check at sign-up | We couldn't confirm a single age from an official or news source. |
| OG | Check at sign-up | As above. |
| Rebet | Check at sign-up | Sweepstakes app; the age can vary by state. |
The app always has the final say. If it asks for a higher age in your state, that's the rule that applies to you.
Why is it 18 on some apps and 21 on others?
It comes down to how each product is regulated.
- Prediction exchanges are regulated like futures markets. Kalshi and Polymarket US are overseen by the CFTC, the federal regulator for futures. Adults can open a brokerage or futures account from 18, so these exchanges use 18.
- Sportsbooks are regulated as gambling. State sports betting laws set the age, and in most states it's 21 (NBC News). That's why FanDuel or DraftKings sportsbooks ask for 21 while a sports contract on Kalshi does not.
- Some apps choose 21 anyway. Novig relaunched as a CFTC-regulated exchange on August 4, 2026 and on August 13 announced what it called the industry's first 21-plus age rule, alongside deposit limits and self-exclusion tools (Covers).
Do state differences matter?
Sometimes. A few states set the age of legal adulthood above 18: Alabama and Nebraska (19) and Mississippi (21). Signing a financial contract usually requires being a legal adult, so an app may ask for the higher age if you live there. We haven't been able to confirm how every platform handles this, so check the age requirement shown when you sign up.
For which states allow which apps at all, see which states allow prediction markets.
Is the age going up to 21?
Maybe. It's one of the most debated issues in the industry right now.
- Sports leagues want 21. On May 1, 2026 the NBA, PGA Tour and NCAA asked the CFTC to raise the minimum age for sports contracts to 21 (NBC News).
- Young users trade a lot. Fortune reported on August 31, 2026 that 18- to 21-year-olds had traded an estimated $5.4 billion on Kalshi in 2026, about $3.9 billion of it on sports and parlay-type contracts (Fortune).
- States have tried. Connecticut proposed raising the age to 21, but the bill did not pass (same Fortune report).
- Kalshi's answer so far: in May 2026 it announced new steps to keep minors off its platform (Axios), but it still allows 18-year-olds.
If the CFTC or a court changes the rule, apps may raise their age with little notice. We'll update this page when that happens.
How ID verification (KYC) works
KYC means "know your customer". Regulated platforms must confirm who you are before you can deposit or trade. Here's what to expect, using Kalshi as the example (see how to sign up for Kalshi):
- Enter your details exactly as they appear on your ID: legal name, date of birth, home address and phone number.
- Give part or all of your Social Security number. This lets the app match you against official records.
- Automatic check. Most people are approved within minutes.
- Upload ID if asked. If the automatic check fails, you'll be asked for a photo of a driver's licence, state ID or passport, and often a selfie.
- Location check. The app also confirms you're physically in a state where it operates. Keep location services on.
Polymarket US works in a similar way: you complete identity checks before you can deposit or trade. See how to use Polymarket in the US.
Why do they need all this?
- Age. Your date of birth is checked against records, which is how under-age sign-ups are stopped.
- Anti-money-laundering rules. Regulated financial platforms must know who is moving money through them.
- Taxes. Platforms may need your Social Security number to issue tax forms. See prediction market taxes.
- Fair markets. Knowing who trades helps exchanges stop people using multiple accounts or trading on inside information.
Tips to avoid problems
- Don't use someone else's details. Accounts opened in another person's name, including a parent's, can be closed and the balance frozen.
- Match your ID exactly. No nicknames; include apartment numbers.
- Just turned 18 (or 21)? Your birthday must have passed; the check uses your exact date of birth.
Trading involves risk of loss. If it stops being fun, see our responsible trading page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use Kalshi at 18?
Yes. Kalshi's minimum age is 18 (checked 27 September 2026). If you live in a state with a higher age of adulthood, the app may ask for more; check at sign-up.
Can you use Polymarket at 18?
Yes, Polymarket's US app allows users from 18, after identity checks.
Which prediction market requires you to be 21?
Novig. It set a 21-plus rule in August 2026. Traditional sportsbooks also require 21 in most states.
Can I use a prediction market under 18?
No. Regulated US platforms verify your date of birth during sign-up and won't open an account for anyone under 18.
Do I need a Social Security number to sign up?
For Kalshi, yes, part of it is used in identity checks. Other regulated apps ask for similar information. Check the sign-up screen for exactly what's needed.
