he presidential competition is heating up between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as new movement in election betting markets shows one candidate gaining momentum.
Following a rally in Pennsylvania headlined by an endorsement of Trump by tech tycoon Elon Musk, the former president's odds jumped to 52.8% on Polymarket, a blockchain-based betting market.
That compares with earlier in the week when Harris held a more advantageous position in the predictions.
Change in the Dynamics of Betting
On October 7, 2024, the odds for Trump on Polymarket surged from 50.9% to 52.8%. This was after Musk's appearance at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, urging people to vote for Trump.
Musk supported his endorsement, saying this is "the most important election of our lifetime." His words and those from Trump himself, saying he does not get deterred and such, connected with the crowd.
On the other hand, Harris's odds on Polymarket stood at 46.6%, which was a significant decrease. This is one of the first times since early September that Trump has passed Harris on this platform in terms of odds for betting.
In general, many sources show that Harris still has a slight lead based on the available polling data, while the betting markets move with dynamic changes in events and endorsements.
Influencing Factors in Betting Markets
While the rise of Trump in Polymarket is impressive, other platforms such as PredictIt and Smarkets remained more stable. PredictIt has still favoured Harris, at 51.4%, versus Trump's 48.6%. Smarkets's odds were relatively stable; it placed 50.25% for Harris and 48% for Trump. Differences across these sites, therefore, point to the fact that different betting communities could react differently to political events.
The bump in Trump's odds was also driven by heavy, individual-user betting activity. Reports said one anonymous bettor, identified only as "Fredi9999," placed more than $4 million in bets for Trump, which likely had a significant impact on the odds.
Unlike other sites, Polymarket does not limit the size of individual bets, which can create larger wagers that move the market much quicker.
Implications for the Presidential Race
These odds are a barometer for public sentiment and, in some respects, may inform how campaigns are conducted. With Trump gaining, Harris's campaign would do well to reevaluate her strategy to halt this momentum.
National polls would still have Harris ahead by a hair, but FiveThirtyEight projects her probability of winning at 48.5%.
On the face of things, betting markets can become very volatile, and in that sense, it would appear the Trump camp is starting to gain traction, such as with the high-profile endorsement from Musk.
The interaction between Trump and Harris will remain dynamic as the election draws near. Everything from endorsements to media attention and public opinion will make a difference in framing the final result. While both candidates are bracing up for an intensified campaign, the next couple of weeks will prove crucial for the 2024 presidential race.
