Survivors of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, have denounced prediction markets that allow betting on whether wildfires will destroy towns. They describe the platforms as morally reprehensible and express concern that such markets could raise the risk of arson.
Sylvie Andrews and her partner lost their newly built home when the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena in January 2025. The couple also lost a decade of effort spent establishing roots in their community.
“We put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it,” Andrews said. “That’s what we lost in the fire.”
The criticism focuses on markets that let participants wager on fire outcomes, with survivors arguing the activity is inappropriate and potentially dangerous.
