US senators urge crackdown on wildfire betting amid warnings of arson risk

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/06/wildfire-betting-prediction-markets

45 points · 5 comments · view on lemmy.world

5 Comments

hoppeduponcoffee@lemmy.zip · 9 pts · 17d

I can say two things about this:

Starting a wildfire to win a bet is one of the most morally reprehensible things a person could do.

“Both sides of the aisle” suddenly care about morals when private property (mainly of the upper middle and wealthy classes), rather than human suffering, is involved.

End-stage capitalism is truly the most degenerate of all timelines.

TryingToBeGood@reddthat.com · 4 pts · 17d

Some people are just sick mofo's.

foggy@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 17d (2 replies)

I cannot imagine the hell you'd catch for starting a wildfire to win a bet.

That's like the easiest most life fucking crime you could possibly commit.

You'd have the SEC, FBI, EPA, Fire Marshall, and State and local police all investigating you.

SGGeorwell@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d (1 reply)

And you would spend the rest of your life in prison, unable to spend any of your “winnings.”

sunsofold@lemmy.zip · 0 pts · 17d

'But they won't catch ME. I'm smart. The fire will burn all the evidence of my crime. I totally won't post about it later on social media.' - the arsonist

People who commit crimes and make wild bets are not usually known for their impressive executive function.