Polymarket and Kalshi Bettors Say Washington's Shutdown Is Finally on Borrowed Time

Even though the Senate clocked in a 60-40 vote to end the U.S. government shutdown, the curtain hasn’t officially dropped just yet. Meanwhile, prediction markets are reshuffling faster than a Vegas dealer—Polymarket’s latest odds now point to the government flipping the lights back on somewhere between Nov. 12–15.

Traders Bet Capitol Hill’s Chaos Closes Out Soon

On Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate pushed through a 60-40 vote to end the shutdown, signaling a major step toward getting Uncle Sam back in business. The deal would bankroll the government through Jan. 30, 2026, roll back the federal job cuts planned during the standoff, and lock in a mid-December vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Still, the lights in Washington stay dim for now as lawmakers need a few more days to shepherd the plan through the House and onto the president’s desk before the government officially powers back up. According to Polymarket bettors, the odds are heavily stacked toward the government shutdown wrapping up between Nov. 12–15, with traders giving that window a confident 85% chance.

Source: Polymarket bet on Nov. 10, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.

Polymarket’s wager, aptly titled “When will the Government shutdown end?”, has raked in a hefty $22.03 million in trading volume to date. The once-hopeful Nov. 8–11 window now looks grim at a mere 8%, as early optimism has evaporated faster than campaign promises. Meanwhile, the die-hard Nov. 16+ bettors are nearly folding their tents at 7%, hinting that most traders expect Capitol Hill to finally pull itself together before the weekend clock runs out.

Kalshi traders are calling it like they see it — the government shutdown’s dragging its heels, but the end’s finally in sight. Nearly everyone — a staggering 99% — agrees it’ll blow past 40 days, with 98% betting it’ll creep into day 41, which happens to be today. Confidence slips to 91% for 42+ days before taking a nosedive: only 59% think it’ll hobble past 43, and just 38% are bracing for 44.

Source: Kalshi government shutdown bet on Nov. 10, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.

By day 45, belief in Washington’s dysfunction flatlines to 25%, and after that, the market’s basically throwing in the towel — odds plunge to 13% and 10% for 46+ and 47+ days, respectively. In short? Traders are betting this shutdown clocks out around the 43–44 day mark — long enough to test everyone’s sanity and enough to make the record books.

All signs point to the shutdown limping toward its finale within days, not weeks. If the bettors are right, Washington’s chaos is about to clock out — just in time for everyone to start arguing about the next crisis.

FAQ ❓

• When did the U.S. Senate vote to end the government shutdown? The Senate approved the deal on Nov. 9, 2025, with a 60-40 vote.
• How long did the government shutdown last? Prediction markets indicate the shutdown may end around 43–44 days.
• What does the new deal include? It funds the government through Jan. 30, 2026, and restores federal jobs cut during the shutdown.
• What do prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi show? Traders overwhelmingly expect the shutdown to end within the week.