Congressional Prediction Market Ban Act of 2026

This bill aims to prevent Members of Congress and individuals within their households from participating in or benefiting from certain financial activities. It specifically prohibits engagement in "covered transactions," which are defined as purchases, sales, or exchanges of prediction market contracts . These contracts are agreements dependent on the occurrence or non-occurrence of specific events or contingencies, explicitly excluding standard insurance policies. To ensure compliance, Members of Congress must annually certify to the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate that they have adhered to these prohibitions. Congressional ethics committees are mandated to promptly investigate any non-compliance or credible reports of violations. Penalties for violations include a fine of at least $10,000 or triple the profit made from the illicit transaction, with funds deposited into the Treasury. Ethics committees are also empowered to pursue additional sanctions and are responsible for establishing procedures, issuing guidance, and making compliance materials publicly available.