Villanova Wildcats Chosen as March Madness Underdog Despite Early Tournament Challenges Villanova is being positioned as a strong underdog in the NCAA tournament despite facing Utah State in a matchup that has them slightly favored at Kalshi. The Wildcats are being considered an 8 seed rather than a 9 seed, following the success of two 9 seeds—St. Louis and TCU—who advanced in the opening round. Analysts argue that while 9 seeds have shown promise, they are unlikely to dominate every game, making Villanova’s inclusion as an 8 seed a logical choice based on historical trends. Villanova’s non-conference record of 9-2 has drawn attention, particularly the losses to ranked teams BYU and Michigan, both of which were in the top 10 at the time. In contrast, Utah State’s 28-6 season included victories over VCU and Davidson on neutral courts, though they also suffered losses to South Florida, Grand Canyon, UNLV, Nevada, and San Diego State. Despite their strong overall record and Mountain West championship, the Wildcats are seen as a better matchup against Utah State, with confidence in their ability to rebound from a tough loss to Georgetown in the Big East tournament. The Wildcats’ losses this season have largely come against high-caliber opponents, including four combined games against UConn and St. John’s. While the absence of Matt Hodge is a setback, Villanova’s guard play and experience in tight, neutral-floor games are viewed as key assets. The team’s ability to perform under pressure in the second half is highlighted as a critical factor in their potential success against Utah State.#big_east #kalshi #utah_state #villanova_wildcats #mountain_west
San Jose Mayor Behind in Polls but Ahead on Prediction Markets San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan trails in traditional opinion polls but holds a stronger position in online prediction markets, where his odds of winning the California governor’s race have surpassed those of prominent Democratic candidates like Katie Porter and Tom Steyer. While recent surveys by Emerson College, UC Berkeley, and the Public Policy Institute of California have placed Mahan below 5% in favorability, betting platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket suggest a different narrative. On March 13, 2026, Mahan’s odds on a $4 million Kalshi pool reached 13%, ranking him higher than Steyer at 10%, former Fox News host Steve Hilton at 8%, and Porter at 3%. This contrasts with Emerson College’s poll, which gave Mahan a 3.2% favorability rating, while Steyer scored 11%, Hilton 13%, and Porter 8.4%. A separate $1.5 million Polymarket pool also showed Mahan at 8% on March 13, with bettors placing him above Porter at 5% and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 4%. However, traditional polling places the Republican candidate, who is running as a conservative, at 11% favorability, according to the same Emerson College survey. The discrepancy highlights the divergent methods used to gauge political viability. Traditional polls rely on scientific sampling, with margins of error typically around 3%, while prediction markets depend on trader behavior and financial incentives. Political sociologist Mindy Romero, founder of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at the University of Southern California, explained that prediction markets reflect traders’ beliefs about a candidate’s likelihood of winning, not necessarily their popularity. “Online betting is just another type of horse race,” she said.#kalshi #polymarket #san_jose_mayor #matt_mahan #emerson_college
Chicago Cardinal Condemns 'Gamification' of War, Warns Against Desensitization Chicago — March 8, 2026 Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago criticized the growing trend of treating war as a form of entertainment, urging Americans to resist becoming desensitized to its "true costs" and to safeguard their humanity. In a statement, the cardinal condemned what he called the "gamification" of war, which he argued has blurred the line between the battlefield and civilian life. Cupich highlighted how modern technology has reduced the distance between war zones and home, making violence a spectacle rather than a reality. He cited prediction markets, where individuals bet on the outcomes of conflicts, as an example of this trend. The cardinal referenced a recent settlement involving Kalshi, a platform that allegedly failed to pay $54 million to users who wagered on former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stepping down by March 1. Cupich argued that people deriving entertainment from real-world crises reflects a "moral crisis." The cardinal warned that the public's fascination with war as a "spectator sport" or "strategy game" risks eroding humanity. He emphasized that excitement over military power and destruction leads to a loss of moral clarity, urging Americans to preserve their capacity for empathy and compassion. Cupich’s remarks align with broader concerns about the ethical implications of media coverage and technological advancements in warfare. His call to action underscores the tension between modern engagement with conflict and the need to uphold ethical and spiritual values. The statement was part of a feature series on the "War in Iran," reflecting ongoing discussions about the role of religion and morality in global conflicts.#prediction_markets #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #cardinal_blase_j_cupich #kalshi #war_in_iran
Kalshi Offers $10 Bonus for New Users with Promo Code NYPMAX Kalshi, a prediction market platform, is offering new users a $10 bonus when they sign up using the promo code NYPMAX. The promotion allows users to trade $10 and receive an additional $10 on various events, including NCAA conference tournament markets. The NCAA Tournament is still weeks away, but fans are already anticipating the intense competition as conferences vie for automatic bids to the tournament. To claim the bonus, new users must enter the promo code NYPMAX during registration, verify their account information, and complete at least $10 in trades. The offer is available to users aged 18 or older with a legal U.S. residential address in states such as Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, and others listed in the terms. The promotion excludes Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, and other specified states. The NCAA conference tournament is a critical time for college basketball, with teams fighting for a chance to advance to the tournament. Traders on Kalshi have already begun analyzing the SEC tournament, with Florida as the favorite to win, according to the platform. Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia are also strong contenders. Florida’s recent 10-game winning streak adds to its momentum for a potential championship run. Kalshi’s markets cover a wide range of outcomes, including which teams will secure tournament berths, the Final Four matchups, and the eventual champion. The platform is legal in multiple U.S. states and Washington D.C., providing users with access to real-time betting opportunities. The promo code NYPMAX highlights Kalshi’s efforts to attract new users while offering insights into college basketball’s most anticipated events.#alabama #florida #ncaa_tournament #kalshi #promo_code_nypmax
Free Kalshi NBA Picks and Predictions: Target Karl-Anthony Towns, Brook Lopez with Promo Code CBSSPORTS on Friday Friday’s NBA schedule includes seven games, with the newest Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS offering new users a $10 cash bonus after placing $10 in trades. The Knicks vs. Nuggets matchup stands out as a key game, featuring New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who averages 19.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Kalshi prices Towns at $0.41 per share to score 20 or more points against the Nuggets at 9 p.m. ET. Towns has reached double figures in six of his last seven games against Denver and is projected to score 20.1 points according to SportsLine’s computer model. The model also supports Rockets center Alperen Sengun to score 20+ points against the Trail Blazers and Clippers veteran Brook Lopez to tally 10+ points against the Spurs. Sengun, averaging 20.4 points, has scored over 20 in three straight games against Portland, including a 25-point performance in their first meeting this season. Lopez, 37, has reached double digits in seven of his last 10 games against the Spurs and is projected for 11.6 points on Friday. To claim the $10 bonus, new users must trade at least $10 in event contracts, sign up for a Kalshi account, and make a minimum $1 deposit. The promo code CBSSPORTS is highlighted as the method to access the offer. SportsLine’s model, which simulates NBA games 10,000 times, has returned over $10,000 in profit for users following its picks over eight-plus seasons. The model is currently on a 41-18 streak on top-rated NBA predictions. Additional player props include Towns’ 20+ points at $0.41, Sengun’s 20+ points at $0.49, and Lopez’s 10+ points at $0.52. The article emphasizes the value of backing these players at their current prices, with the promo code serving as the gateway for new users to access the bonus.#cbsports #nba #karlanthony_towns #kalshi #brook_lopez
