--- title: "LDS Church Leader Warns Against Online Gambling and Prediction Markets" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/lds-church-leader-warns-against-online-gambling-and-prediction-markets" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/lds-church-leader-warns-against-online-gambling-and-prediction-markets" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/lds-church-leader-warns-against-online-gambling-and-prediction-markets.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/lds-church-leader-warns-against-online-gambling-and-prediction-markets" category: "Business & Economy" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-03T21:25:27.408Z" source_reported: "2026-10-03T20:25:57.000Z" updated: "2026-10-03T22:30:09.888Z" trust_score: 68 critic_score: 87 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-03T22:30:09.803807+00:00" --- # LDS Church Leader Warns Against Online Gambling and Prediction Markets *D. Todd Christofferson spoke at the faith's general conference about the dangers of greed fostered by betting.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Trust 68: multiple outlets name leader D. Todd Christofferson and give specific Saturday Salt Lake City location. - Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87: includes direct quotes, clear context, separates fact from comment, and provides specific names and dates. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: language is measured with no sensationalism or clickbait. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - D. Todd Christofferson, a top leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stated that online prediction markets and sports betting are fostering greed, particularly among youth. - The speech was delivered on Saturday in Salt Lake City during the church's semiannual general conference. - Christofferson described gambling as morally wrong, built on the desire to obtain something for nothing. - Matthew Bowman, a professor of religion and history, noted that institutions are grappling with the rise of predictive markets and sports gambling. D. Todd Christofferson, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, warned that the growth of online prediction markets and sports betting is encouraging greed, especially among young people, and producing "nothing of value." He delivered the speech on Saturday in Salt Lake City at the church's semiannual general conference. Christofferson stated that rampant betting among teenagers and young adults diverts time from studies and relationships, as smartphones make gambling accessible anywhere. He described gambling as morally wrong and built on the desire to gain something without effort. Christofferson's declaration that prediction markets constitute gambling places the conservative church in contrast with the Trump administration, which has argued that platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are not gambling and should not be subject to state bans. Prediction markets allow wagers on a wide range of events. Matthew Bowman, a professor of religion and history at Claremont Graduate University, commented that the rise of predictive markets and the legalization of sports gambling are increasing across the country, and many institutions are confronting this issue. ## Differing views on prediction markets The My Mother Lode and The Independent (US) full reports state that the Church's stance on prediction markets as gambling puts it at odds with President Donald Trump's administration. The Trump administration has argued these platforms are not gambling and should not be subject to state gambling bans. None of the other reports mention this specific disagreement. ## What the coverage left out None of the reports printed below mention the specific date of the general conference beyond "Saturday." The full reports from My Mother Lode and The Independent (US) mention that the speech was delivered in Salt Lake City, but other digests do not specify the location. ## Who covered it Shares of the 22 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 50% (11) - Centre: 45% (10) - Right: 5% (1) 1 of 23 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-03T22:30:09.803807+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-03T22:45:10.175Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led with D. Todd Christofferson's warning that online prediction markets and sports betting are fostering greed among young people. The Salt Lake Tribune's digest headline stated Christofferson "decries all forms of gambling, urges members to stop betting." The digests from The Independent (US), The Seattle Times, Bangor Daily News, The Record, and St Catharines Standard all carried the core message about greed and youth. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on D. Todd Christofferson's warning about online prediction markets and sports betting fostering greed among youth. The digests from My Mother Lode, WBAL, WPLG, WKMG, News 4 JAX, The Herald Journal, WSLS, Deseret News, and Winnipeg Free Press all highlighted this central theme. The My Mother Lode full report also noted the contrast between the church's view and the Trump administration's position on prediction markets. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 6 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 14 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/3/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-sports-betting-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/11191151/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [Oskaloosa Herald](https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets/article_30fd41ae-24f9-5db3-a27b-2ff7de64b4c6.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/church-of-jesus-christ-of-latterday-saints-utah-salt-lake-city-catholic-church-gambling-b3060917.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [WPLG](https://local10.com/news/national/2026/10/03/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/10/03/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/10/03/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/10/03/nation/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/church-of-jesus-christ-of-latterday-saints-utah-salt-lake-city-catholic-church-gambling-b3060917.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [The Herald Journal](https://hjnews.com/nation/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets/article_9711207f-f21d-59d1-9101-70809497fe97.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [WSLS](https://wsls.com/news/politics/2026/10/03/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/mormon-leaders-online-prediction-markets-gambling-2e1b3e9c8f8e2cb3d529a2e270c93085) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-sports-gambling-prediction-markets-136976967) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [Salt Lake Tribune](https://sltrib.com/religion/2026/10/03/lds-leader-d-todd-christofferson) — LDS leader D. Todd Christofferson decries all forms of gambling, urges members to stop betting - [Deseret News](https://deseret.com/faith/2026/10/03/october-general-confernce-saturday-morning-session-summary) — President Christofferson adds his voice to President Oaks’ against gambling - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets/article_bbfe8784-90eb-5564-b693-cd89da4fd7b6.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets/article_6d1552f1-af56-595b-89b8-db253f48c63e.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/news/world/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets/article_24f0c040-a5a2-5e5e-9a09-1bac2f9faa97.html) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/faith/2026/10/03/mormon-leader-decries-explosion-in-sports-gambling-prediction-markets) — Mormon leader decries explosion in sports gambling, prediction markets - [KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/elder-christofferson-denounces-gambling-prediction-markets-as-morally-wrong) — Elder Christofferson denounces gambling, prediction markets as 'morally wrong' ## Questions **What did LDS Church leader D. Todd Christofferson warn about?** D. Todd Christofferson warned that the rise of online prediction markets and sports betting is fostering greed, particularly among young people. He stated that gambling is morally wrong and built on the desire to obtain something for nothing. **When and where was the speech given?** The speech was delivered on Saturday in Salt Lake City at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' semiannual general conference. This event is held twice a year. **What is the church's stance on prediction markets?** The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through leader D. Todd Christofferson, declared that prediction markets constitute gambling. This view contrasts with the Trump administration's argument that such platforms are not gambling. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/lds-church-leader-warns-against-online-gambling-and-prediction-markets. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "LDS Church Leader Warns Against Online Gambling and Prediction Markets", https://mediabias.news/business/lds-church-leader-warns-against-online-gambling-and-prediction-markets