Following Donald Trump's unexpected victory in the recent presidential election, tens of thousands of bettors are anticipating a total payout of approximately $450 million from prediction markets. Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi have seen a surge in betting activity, with around 40,000 betting on Trump compared to 28,000 for Kamala Harris, despite traditional polls indicating a competitive race. Prediction markets have been praised for their ability to capture real-time sentiment shifts and provide insights that traditional polls may miss, according to Samuel S.-H. Wang from Princeton University. The results have raised questions about the reliability of polling data, as prediction markets appeared to offer a more accurate reflection of electoral outcomes. Additionally, shares of Trump Media and Technology Group rose by 8% in response to Trump's success, with supporters celebrating his victory during an election watch party. While some bettors may have to wait until January to collect their winnings, the enthusiasm for prediction betting indicates a growing trend in political gambling.