American Boom Prediction Markets: FanDuel, DraftKings and Polymarket
American Boom Prediction Markets: FanDuel, DraftKings and Polymarket
In the States, a real hype has started around the forecast markets. Large gambling operators are already rushing in, and the regulator has issued a "blessing" for work for the first time. Let's figure out who is the first here, who is more cunning, and who just caught the right moment.
FanDuel + CME = love story
August 2025 was marked by a fat deal: the giant of American betting FanDuel made friends with the CME Group exchange. Under the terms of the collaboration, a separate section for yes/no futures will appear directly in the FanDuel app. The essence is simple – you make a forecast for anything (politics, economics, "will Trump win again?"), and if you guess, you get cash. It seems like a bet, only in a decent wrapper.
DraftKings wants to take a bite too
Well, where without an eternal rival? DraftKings, of course, did not stand aside and promised to launch its own prediction platform within a year. There is no release date, but the effect has already happened — the company's shares jumped by 7% immediately after the announcement. That is, investors also like to predict, only directly on the charts.
Polymarket is now in white (and yes, there are Trumps again)
This story is generally worthy of a separate series. A few years ago, the FBI almost buried Polymarket, CEO searches, pressure, a full set. But times are changing: with Trump's return, the pressure has evaporated somewhere. In July, the Polymarket team bought the legal exchange QCEX, and in August, Trump's son joined the platform's board. And almost immediately, the CFTC issued the long-awaited license.
Just a textbook on the topic "how government relations work".
The crypts have also pulled themselves up
Beginners do not sleep. The Underdog office decided to stir up its own — they partnered with Crypto.com and are preparing a prediction market with an emphasis on fantasy sports. If Polymarket and Kalshi are more about real events, then here the focus is on competing with sportsbooks. That is, not "who will win the election", but "will your quarterback gain 300 yards".
What awaits us?
The experience of other countries shows that there are laws today, tomorrow they are not. The United States is no different. It is enough for one senator to declare that "prediction markets are casinos with a smart face," and the whole story will collapse.
But as long as the authorities are interested, bookmakers, exchanges, and the crypto rich will go there. We just take popcorn and see who will stumble first
