Hash #62: Betting against Natural Disasters and the Oscars ππ²Β
π’ This week, we're exploring the expanding world of betting, focusing on the rising trend of wagering on non-traditional assets like catastrophe (Cat) bonds and event contracts through platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket, etc. We'll also link this development to previous discussions on sports gambling.
π Catastrophe Bonds Explained: Cat bonds are a high-yield debt instrument typically used by insurance companies to transfer risk to investors. These bonds allow investors to bet against natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes. The trend indicates a broader interest in alternative, non-traditional investments.
π± Kalshi - Betting on Real Events: Kalshi, an app where users can trade event contracts, represents a shift in betting culture. This platform allows users to speculate on the outcomes of real-world events, from political elections to today's temperature, broadening the scope of what can be bet on.
π Hedges and Gambling: This trend in betting against various real-world outcomes parallels the growth in sports betting, where gamblers place bets on sporting event outcomes. Both trends reflect a broader societal shift towards increased acceptance and engagement in different forms of betting.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/08/29/natural-disaster-investors-catastrophe-bonds/
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-future-of-futures-on-kalshi-and-prediction-markets/