Kalshi Fines Candidate Who Bet on Her Own Race

A North Carolina House candidate just ran into the limits to "betting on yourself." Laurie Buckhout, a Republican challenging Democratic Rep. Don Davis in a battleground district, has been fined $25,000 and barred for three years from prediction platform Kalshi after wagering on her own race. "It was a dumb mistake," said Buckhout, a retired Army colonel making her second run for the seat, Roll Call reports. Kalshi did not disclose the amount of her wager but said it was less than $1,000, per the Washington Post. "I bet on myself," Buckhout said.

Kalshi adopted rules in March blocking candidates from trading on their own contests in the face of increased scrutiny from Congress. Davis called Buckhout's move "a disqualifying breach of public trust." The redrawn 1st District, now more favorable to Republicans, is one of two competitive House races in the state, both rated Lean Republican. Buckhout is one of several candidates hit with penalties by Kalshi, which has also suspended former gubernatorial contenders in Maine and California and others who bet on their campaigns. The company on Monday also acted against former Rep. George Santos.