The deadly California wildfires that have claimed lives, destroyed communities, and forced thousands to flee their homes to safety have spurred Polymarket gamblers to wager on the

An American prediction market platform is allowing users to place bets on deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Polymarket says it is offering "prediction markets" for the L.A. fires, but what it's really doing is providing a platform for people to profit off tragedy.

The crypto betting platform has several wagers open about the fires in California. It says crowds can help lend "unbiased forecasts" for big events.

Blockchain-based predictions platform Polymarket has been criticized for allowing users to bet on the Palisades wildfire in California. The wildfire, which has forced nearly 200,000 to evacuate, killed five people,