DraftKings Predictions Launch Beats FanDuel To Punch; Goes Head-To-Head With Native Tribes

Dec 19th, 2025 11:17 AM EST

BOSTON - DraftKings Friday launched DraftKings Predictions, its foray into the prediction market space that has exploded in trading volume and across the cultural space in 2025.

The platform is now live in 38 states. The initial announcement of DraftKings Predictions came during the the company's Q3 earning call in November. FanDuel subsequently announced its intention to enter the prediction market space. Those companies share roughly 70% of the North American online sports betting market handle.

DraftKings joins the fast-growing, federally regulated prediction market sector, which has drawn increased attention from regulators, lawmakers, and traditional sportsbook operators over the past year.

The space includes Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood, Sportrade, Underdog through Crypto.com and others. Just a year ago, sports event contracts were not allowed in the United States. Since they were self-certified by Kalshi ahead of Super Bowl 59, sports event contracts now make up roughly 80% of the volume on that platform.

Bookies.com Friday reached out to Kalshi for comment and had not yet heard back.

In beating FanDuel Predicts to launch, DraftKings can offer sports event contracts trades on the first weekend of the College Football Playoff (which begins Friday), in addition to nearly a full week of NFL Week 16 action.

The first sports event contract visible on the app where those trades are available offered trades on CFB Playoff Game between Alabama and Oklahoma Friday night.

DraftKings Goes Head-To-Head With Seminole Tribe In Florida

DraftKings Predictions operates through a wholly owned subsidiary that is registered as an Introducing Broker with the CFTC and is a member of the National Futures Association. Sports-related contracts are available in states where traditional sports betting remains illegal, such as California, Texas, and Georgia.

DraftKings Predicts also offers sports events contracts in Florida, as does Kalshi. That puts them in direct competition with Hard Rock Bet, which operates the state's lone legal sports book through a compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Bookies.com reached out a Tribe's spokesman for comment on the launch of DraftKings Predictions in Florida but had not yet heard back.

Native Tribes in California initially lost a court battle to geofence Kalshi and Robinhood of their lands.

Where Can I Use And NOT Use DraftKings Predictions?

These prediction markets operating under the oversight of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The product allows eligible users over 18 to trade on real-world outcomes across a growing range of markets, including sports and finance at launch, with entertainment and cultural markets expected to follow.

According to map on the DraftKings Predictions app, the site does not offer any trades in the following states:

Maine
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Illinois
Missouri
Tennesssee
Kentucky
Iowa
Arkansas
Arizona
Nevada
Montana
Washington

Meanwhile, it offers all markets, which include sports, stock market, commodities, crypto, and economics, in 17 states. Those states are:

South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Texas
Oklahoma
Nebraska
South Dakota
North Dakota
New Mexico
Utah
Idaho
California
Alaska
Hawai'i
Rhode Island
Connecticut

The site offers financial markets with no sports event contracts in these jurisdictions:

Massachusetts
Vermont
New York
New Jersey
Maryland
Delaware
Washingon, D.C.
Virginia
North Carolina
West Virginia
Kentucky
Indiana
Michigan
Wisconsin
Mississippi
Louisiana
Missouri
Kansas
Colorado
Wyoming
Oregon

DraftKings Initially Teams With CME Group

At launch, DraftKings Predictions will connect to multiple exchanges, beginning with CME Group, providing customers access to markets tied to economic indicators, global benchmarks, and sporting events. The company said additional exchanges will be added over time to expand market depth and liquidity.

DraftKings also plans to integrate technology from Railbird Technologies, which it recently acquired. Railbird’s wholly owned subsidiary, Railbird Exchange LLC, is expected to broaden available markets, support product innovation, and improve long-term economics as the platform scales.

Corey Gottlieb, DraftKings’ Chief Product Officer, said in a release, that the launch represents a major expansion of the company’s digital product portfolio.

“DraftKings Predictions is a significant milestone and reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering products that tap into the passion of our customers,” Gottlieb said. “We believe we are uniquely positioned to lead this space over the long term.”

DraftKings Teamed With ESPN In 2025

The Boston-based book joined forces with ESPN this fall. ESPN and Penn Interactive terminated their sports betting marketing deal a year before its first opt-out window. DraftKings pointed to its existing partnerships with ESPN and NBCUniversal, as well as its marketing. In addition, it noted an in-house technology infrastructure, in its launch announcement as advantages as prediction markets continue to gain traction alongside traditional sports betting.

DraftKings Includes 'Responsible Trading' Program

DraftKings said it has extended its responsible gaming framework to the new platform through what it calls a Responsible Trading program. The initiative includes educational tools, deposit limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options designed specifically for federally regulated event contracts. These tools are available directly within the DraftKings Predictions app and online through the DraftKings Responsible Trading Center.

DraftKings Predictions is rolling out nationally and will be available to eligible U.S. residents across major app stores in the coming days.

To mark the launch, DraftKings is offering promotional incentives, including a chance for customers to win up to $1 million through DraftKings Predictions. In states where sports event contracts are available, new users may also qualify for a trade bonus of up to $25 based on their first transaction.

Availability varies by state, and customers are encouraged to check eligibility through the DraftKings Predictions platform.

DraftKings Predictions Launch Beats FanDuel To Punch; Goes Head-To-Head With Native Tribes

DraftKings Goes Head-To-Head With Seminole Tribe In Florida

Where Can I Use And NOT Use DraftKings Predictions?

DraftKings Initially Teams With CME Group

DraftKings Includes 'Responsible Trading' Program

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