By Ethan Faverino |

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new policy this week, prohibiting county employees from using confidential, nonpublic information obtained through their public service to personally profit from prediction markets.

County officials said the policy is intended to strengthen public trust by ensuring government decisions are made in the best interest of residents rather than for personal financial gain.

Maricopa County officials also said the measure makes the county the first major county in the United States to adopt a formal policy specifically addressing prediction markets.

Public employees often have access to sensitive information before it becomes publicly available. Under the newly adopted resolution, county employees are prohibited from using or disclosing nonpublic information to profit from, avoid losses in, or assist others in profiting from prediction markets.

Violations of the policy may result in disciplinary action, including termination, and may also be referred to law enforcement.

The resolution builds upon existing Arizona law, including A.R.S. § 38-504(B), which prohibits public officers and employees from using or disclosing confidential, nonpublic information obtained through their official duties.

County leaders noted that prediction markets allow participants to wager on the likelihood of future events across a wide range of topics, including government actions, elections, politics, military conflicts, weather events, wildfires, sports, and other state, national, and global affairs.

The resolution states that the public’s confidence in government is undermined when officials use privileged information learned through public service for personal financial benefits.

Arizona law already prohibits wagering on the outcome of elections. Under A.R.S. § 16-1015, knowingly making, offering, accepting, or participating in a bet or wager on any contingency arising from an election before or during the election is classified as a class 2 misdemeanor.

In addition to prohibiting the use of nonpublic information for financial gain, the Board’s resolution formally designates such information as confidential, where it has not already been classified as such.

The policy also clarifies that it does not create new legal rights or remedies, does not conflict with federal or state law, and does not alter the statutory authority of any elected office or county department.

The policy applies to all Maricopa County employees, including those working in appointed departments, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, and the Maricopa County Library District.

The resolution took effect immediately upon its unanimous approval by the Board of Supervisors and will remain in force until it is repealed, replaced, or rescinded.

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.