Skip to main content

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Find answers to common questions about Public Wager and prediction markets.

Getting Started​

What is Public Wager?​

Public Wager is a prediction market platform where you can bet on real-world events across politics, sports, business, crypto, and more. Share prices reflect crowd wisdom about event probabilities.

How do I create an account?​

  1. Visit publicwager.com
  2. Click "Sign Up"
  3. Enter your email, username, and password
  4. Verify your email
  5. Complete identity verification to unlock full features

See our Creating an Account guide for details.

Prediction markets operate under various regulations depending on your jurisdiction. Public Wager complies with applicable laws. Check your local regulations before participating.

How old do I need to be?​

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to use Public Wager.

Trading​

How do prediction markets work?​

You buy shares representing outcomes. Share prices reflect probabilities. If your prediction is correct, you receive $1.00 per share. If wrong, you get $0.

Learn more in How Prediction Markets Work.

What's the minimum bet?​

The minimum trade is typically $1.00, though this may vary by market.

Can I sell my shares before resolution?​

Yes! You can sell anytime before the market closes. This lets you lock in profits or cut losses early.

What if the market price changes while I'm placing an order?​

Market orders execute at the current price when the order is filled. Use limit orders if you want to specify your maximum/minimum price.

How long do I have to wait for resolution?​

Resolution timing varies by market but typically occurs within 24-48 hours after the event concludes. Check each market's resolution criteria for specifics.

What happens if a market resolves N/A?​

All traders receive refunds of their original investment. N/A resolutions should be rare and only occur when the event is cancelled or resolution becomes impossible.

Fees​

What fees does Public Wager charge?​

  • Trading Fee: 2% on winning positions only
  • Deposits (ACH): Free
  • Deposits (Card): 2.9% + $0.30
  • Withdrawals (ACH): Free
  • Withdrawals (Wire): $25

See our complete Fee Structure.

Do I pay fees on losing trades?​

No. Fees only apply to winning positions.

Are there hidden fees?​

No. All fees are disclosed before you confirm any transaction.

Money & Payments​

How do I add money to my account?​

Navigate to Wallet → Deposit, choose your payment method, and follow the prompts. ACH transfers are free but take 1-3 days. Cards are instant but have fees.

Full guide: Deposits & Withdrawals.

How do I withdraw my winnings?​

Go to Wallet → Withdraw, enter the amount, and select your withdrawal method. ACH is free and takes 2-5 days.

Why can't I withdraw all my money?​

Funds locked in open positions can't be withdrawn. You must first sell those shares to free up the funds.

Is my money safe?​

Public Wager uses industry-standard security practices, including encryption, secure storage, and regulatory compliance. However, all investments carry risk.

What payment methods are supported?​

  • ACH bank transfers (free)
  • Credit/debit cards (fees apply)
  • Wire transfers (fees apply)
  • Potentially cryptocurrency (check platform)

Markets​

How do I find markets to trade?​

Browse by category, search for topics, or check trending/featured markets on the homepage. Use filters to narrow by category, timing, or volume.

Can I create my own markets?​

Yes! Verified users can create markets. See our Creating Markets guide.

What makes a good market?​

Good markets have:

  • Clear, objective questions
  • Specific resolution criteria
  • Verifiable data sources
  • Appropriate timeframes
  • Community interest

Why was my market rejected?​

Markets may be rejected for:

  • Ambiguous questions or criteria
  • Lack of verifiable resolution source
  • Violation of platform guidelines
  • Duplicate of existing market
  • Inappropriate content

Account & Security​

How do I enable two-factor authentication (2FA)?​

Go to Settings → Security → Enable 2FA. Scan the QR code with an authenticator app and enter the code to confirm.

I forgot my password. What do I do?​

Click "Forgot Password" on the login page, enter your email, and follow the reset link sent to you.

Can I change my username?​

Username changes may be limited. Contact support at support@publicwager.com to request a change.

How do I verify my account?​

Go to Settings → Verification and upload a government-issued ID. Approval typically takes 24-48 hours.

What if I'm locked out of my account?​

Contact support immediately at support@publicwager.com with your account details.

Technical Issues​

Why isn't my deposit showing up?​

  • Wait 10 minutes for processing
  • Check your email for confirmation
  • For ACH, allow 1-3 business days
  • Contact support if issues persist

My trade didn't go through. Why?​

Common reasons:

  • Insufficient balance
  • Market closed
  • Price changed (for limit orders)
  • Technical issue

Check your order status in trade history.

The site is slow or not loading. What should I do?​

  • Refresh your browser
  • Clear cache and cookies
  • Try a different browser
  • Check your internet connection
  • See our Troubleshooting Guide

Can I use Public Wager on mobile?​

Yes! Public Wager is mobile-responsive. Use your mobile browser or download the app if available.

Trading Strategies​

Should I buy YES or NO?​

Buy YES if you think the event will happen. Buy NO if you think it won't. Consider:

  • Your research and analysis
  • Current probability vs your estimate
  • Risk/reward ratio

When should I sell my shares?​

Consider selling when:

  • You've reached your profit target
  • New information changes your prediction
  • You need to free up capital
  • You want to cut losses

How do I minimize risk?​

  • Start with small positions
  • Diversify across multiple markets
  • Don't invest more than you can afford to lose
  • Set stop losses
  • Do thorough research

What's the best strategy for beginners?​

  1. Start small (1-5% of portfolio per trade)
  2. Focus on markets you understand
  3. Trade binary (YES/NO) markets initially
  4. Hold positions rather than frequent trading
  5. Learn from each trade

Market Creation​

How do I become a market creator?​

Verify your account, understand platform guidelines, and start creating! Begin with simple binary markets on topics you know well.

Do market creators earn money?​

Some platforms share trading fees with creators. Check your creator tier benefits.

What happens if my market is ambiguous?​

Traders may dispute resolution, damaging your reputation. Always write crystal-clear criteria.

Can I edit a market after publishing?​

Description edits may be allowed, but resolution criteria typically cannot be changed after trading begins.

Resolution & Disputes​

Who decides how markets resolve?​

The market creator resolves based on their stated resolution criteria and specified data sources.

What if I disagree with a resolution?​

Comment on the market explaining your concern. If the creator made an error, they can request platform review. Contact support if needed.

How long does dispute resolution take?​

Typically 1-5 business days, depending on complexity.

Can resolutions be reversed?​

Yes, if a clear error occurred. Platform support can review and potentially reverse incorrect resolutions.

Privacy & Data​

What information do you collect?​

We collect necessary information for account creation, identity verification, and platform operation. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Do you sell my data?​

No. Your privacy is important to us.

Can others see my trades?​

Privacy settings vary. Check your account settings to control visibility of your trading activity.

Tax & Reporting​

Do I need to pay taxes on my winnings?​

Tax obligations depend on your jurisdiction. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Does Public Wager provide tax documents?​

Yes. You can download transaction history and annual summaries for tax reporting.

When will I receive my tax documents?​

Annual tax documents are typically available by January 31st for the previous year.

Support​

How do I contact support?​

Is there live chat support?​

Check the platform for live chat availability (typically 9 AM - 5 PM ET on business days).

Where can I report bugs or suggest features?​

Email support@publicwager.com or use the feedback form in your account settings.

Still Have Questions?​

Can't find your answer? Email us at support@publicwager.com and we'll help!