As the world watches the ongoing papal conclave, global betting platforms have seized the moment, allowing millions of dollars in bets to be placed on who will become the next pope.

While sports betting remains the most popular form of gambling, platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi which allow users to place bets on real-world events using cryptocurrency and digital contracts have turned their focus to the Catholic Church’s most important decision.

The Catholic News Agency reports, that despite the secrecy of the process, more than $18 million (KSh 2.4 billion) has already been wagered on Polymarket alone. Kalshi has recorded another $6.7 million (KSh 900 million) in bets.

According to odds listed by Polymarket, the front-runner is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, with a 27% chance. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle follows closely with 22%. Other top contenders include Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (11%), Pierbattista Pizzaballa (10%), and Peter Erdo (7%).

While some view it as harmless fun, others see betting on a sacred religious process as controversial. The Catholic Church itself has not endorsed any form of gambling on the conclave, which remains a confidential and spiritual event meant to be guided by divine inspiration not public speculation.

Experts say the conclave’s secrecy makes the outcome highly unpredictable. With no public campaigns, limited media access, and spiritual discernment guiding the vote, the real chances of any candidate remain largely unknown even to insiders.