House Democrats have called on federal regulators to take action against offshore prediction markets that allow betting on matters involving U.S. military service members.

The lawmakers are specifically targeting the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), urging the agency to crack down on these offshore betting platforms. According to the lawmakers, these markets allow users to place wagers on outcomes related to American military personnel and war-related events.

At least one lawmaker characterized the practice of betting on the fate of U.S. service members as "morally corrupt and completely unacceptable." The criticism appears to focus on the ethical implications of treating military personnel's welfare as gambling opportunities.

The call for regulatory action comes amid growing scrutiny of prediction markets, which have expanded beyond traditional political betting to include various real-world events. These platforms operate in a legal gray area, with many based offshore to avoid direct U.S. regulatory oversight.

The CFTC has jurisdiction over certain types of prediction markets and derivatives trading, though the agency's authority over offshore platforms remains limited. The lawmakers' request represents an effort to pressure regulators to find ways to restrict access to or operation of these controversial betting markets.