Kalshi Owes Bettors $54 Million On Ayatollah Khamenei's Death, But Won't Pay
OutKick • • business
Key Points:
- Bettors wagered $54 million on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death before April 1, 2026, but Kalshi froze the trade and refused payouts after his reported death in a US-Israel operation, citing rules against death-related transactions.
- An Israeli-American bettor who won $63,000 was unable to withdraw his winnings, leading to widespread user frustration and accusations that Kalshi changed the rules post-bet.
- Critics, including former SEC chief of staff Amanda Fischer, argue that death was an implicit part of the bet and that Kalshi's refusal to pay breaches user expectations, though concerns remain about incentivizing harmful actions.
- Kalshi claims it reimbursed all affected users, incurring a $
