Prediction Markets and the First Amendment

48 Pages Posted: 8 May 2008

See all articles by Miriam A. Cherry

Miriam A. Cherry

St. John’s University - School of Law

Robert L. Rogers

Incisive Media - Legal Times

Abstract

The continuing development of prediction markets is important because of their success in foretelling the future in politics, economics, and science. In this article, we identify the expressive elements inherent in prediction markets and explore how legislation such as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 might harm such predictive speech. This article is the first to explore First Amendment protections for prediction markets in such depth, and in so doing, we distinguish prediction markets from other regulated areas such as gambling and securities trading. The article's examination of prediction markets also illustrates the limitations of current commercial speech doctrine. We conclude by discussing how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches might resolve the First Amendment challenges of regulating prediction markets, and we propose a new legal test, modeled on existing free speech jurisprudence, which may assist courts in adjudicating any constitutional challenges.

Keywords: Prediction Markets, Information Markets, First Amendment

Suggested Citation

Cherry, Miriam A. and Rogers, Robert L., Prediction Markets and the First Amendment. University of Illinois Law Review, Vol. 2008, No. 3, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1130644

Miriam A. Cherry (Contact Author)

St. John’s University - School of Law ( email )

United States

Robert L. Rogers

Incisive Media - Legal Times ( email )

United States

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