Prediction Markets in the US [2026]

Prediction markets are now firmly established in the United States. Two CFTC-regulated platforms operate uniformly across all 50 states. Several state-licensed sports prediction platforms operate in most US states under daily fantasy or prediction market frameworks. International decentralised platforms are geo-blocked but accessible to US users only through workarounds we do not recommend. The 2024 federal court ruling in Kalshi's favour locked in the regulatory foundation for the regulated US category and opened the door for substantial growth heading into 2028.

This page is the main hub for US prediction market users. It covers the federal regulatory framework, lists every legal platform US users can access, summarises state-by-state restrictions, and identifies the best platforms for different US user types. State-specific pages link back here for the federal context.

If you are brand new to prediction markets and want a beginner-friendly introduction, start with our what are prediction markets guide before reading this page. If you want platform rankings rather than US legal context, see our best prediction sites for US users guide.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is the US federal agency that regulates derivatives markets including event contracts. CFTC Designated Contract Market (DCM) status is the highest level of regulatory approval available for a prediction market platform in the US. It is the same framework that regulates the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and other major US futures exchanges.

Two prediction market platforms hold full CFTC DCM status as of 2026: Kalshi (approved in 2020) and Robinhood Derivatives (approved in 2025, operating Robinhood Predict). Both platforms operate uniformly across all 50 US states because federal CFTC oversight pre-empts most state-level restrictions on event contracts. Customer funds are held in segregated accounts. Contracts are legally enforceable under federal law. You have a formal CFTC dispute resolution channel.

The 2024 federal court ruling was the defining recent development. The CFTC initially objected to Kalshi listing election event contracts. Kalshi sued. A federal court ruled in Kalshi's favour in summer 2024, confirming that election prediction markets are legal under CFTC oversight. The ruling locked in the regulatory framework and accelerated the launch of Robinhood Predict in 2025.

For more detail on the legal framework see our are prediction markets legal in the US guide. For platform rankings of the regulated options see our best regulated prediction markets guide.

Three categories of platforms are legally available to US users in 2026.

CFTC-regulated event contract platforms (legal in all 50 states): Kalshi covers politics, economics, weather, sports, and entertainment markets under CFTC DCM oversight. Robinhood Predict covers political and economic event contracts inside the standard Robinhood mobile app, also under CFTC DCM oversight via Robinhood Derivatives.

State-licensed sports prediction platforms (state availability varies): PrizePicks Predict has the widest US state availability under daily fantasy or prediction market licensing in the high 30s of states. FanDuel Predicts follows the FanDuel sportsbook footprint plus prediction-specific licensing in additional states. DraftKings Predictions follows the DraftKings sportsbook footprint plus additional licensing. Sleeper Markets, Betr Predictions, Novig, and Fanatics Markets cover narrower state lists.

Crypto exchange-integrated prediction products (state availability varies): Coinbase Predictions and Crypto.com Predictions operate inside their parent exchange ecosystems with availability following the parent exchange's state coverage. Both focus more on crypto-native event markets than on broad mainstream events.

Geo-blocked for US users: Polymarket settled with the CFTC in January 2022 and agreed to block all US IP addresses. The platform now operates as a decentralised exchange accessible internationally but not in the US. We do not recommend bypassing the geo-block via VPN. The risks include account closure, fund forfeiture, and potential regulatory exposure.

Federal CFTC oversight pre-empts most state restrictions on event contracts. Kalshi and Robinhood Predict operate legally in all 50 US states for that reason. State-licensed sports prediction platforms follow state-by-state daily fantasy or sportsbook rules.

States with broad platform availability include New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, and Colorado. These states support most major sports prediction platforms in addition to the CFTC-regulated options. Major US sports prediction users in these states have the widest possible platform choice.

California allows CFTC-regulated platforms but has restrictions that limit state-licensed sports prediction availability. PrizePicks Predict, FanDuel Predicts, and DraftKings Predictions have more limited California presence than they have in most other large states. CFTC platforms (Kalshi, Robinhood Predict) work normally.

Texas and Florida have variable rules that change regularly. CFTC-regulated platforms work in both states. Sports prediction platform availability shifts year to year as state regulators update positions. Always check the current state list on each platform before signing up.

Restrictive states include Hawaii, Utah, and Idaho where most state-licensed sports prediction platforms are unavailable. CFTC-regulated platforms remain available in these states because federal regulation pre-empts most state restrictions on event contracts. For state-by-state legal context see our legal status guide.

The right platform for a US user depends on what you want to predict and which app ecosystem you already use.

For political and economic event contracts in any US state: Kalshi has the deepest US-regulated coverage of politics, Federal Reserve rate decisions, CPI inflation prints, weather contracts, and select sports markets. The platform won the 2024 federal court ruling that locked in election market legality. $5 minimum deposit. ACH funding free.

For US users already inside the Robinhood app: Robinhood Predict integrates event contracts into the standard Robinhood mobile app alongside stocks, options, and crypto. CFTC DCM regulated. $1 minimum trade size, the lowest in the US-regulated category.

For sports prop pick'em players in licensed states: FanDuel Predicts integrates with the FanDuel ecosystem. DraftKings Predictions integrates with the DraftKings ecosystem with Crowns rewards across products. PrizePicks Predict has the deepest player prop catalogue with Demon and Goblin pick variants.

For value-driven sports bettors wanting zero-vig peer-to-peer matching: Novig is the structurally lowest-cost US sports prediction platform.

For crypto-native users wanting crypto-financial event markets: Coinbase Predictions and Crypto.com Predictions operate inside their parent exchanges with crypto-focused catalogues.

Many active US prediction users keep accounts on multiple platforms: a CFTC-regulated platform (Kalshi or Robinhood Predict) for event contracts plus a state-licensed sports prediction platform for player props. The combination covers the widest range of use cases. For full platform rankings see our best prediction sites in the US guide.

US-regulated prediction platforms accept standard US dollar deposits via ACH bank transfer, debit card, and in some cases wire transfer. There are no special crypto requirements for the major US-licensed options.

Kalshi accepts free ACH deposits and withdrawals with no minimum or maximum charge. Debit card deposits are typically instant. Wire transfers are available for larger amounts at small platform fees. Withdrawals process within 1-3 business days via ACH.

Robinhood Predict uses your existing Robinhood balance with no separate deposit or withdrawal mechanism. Funding flows through standard Robinhood account funding methods (debit card, ACH, instant deposit for verified accounts). For users already using Robinhood for stocks or crypto, prediction market funding is essentially seamless.

Sports prediction platforms (PrizePicks Predict, FanDuel Predicts, DraftKings Predictions, Sleeper Markets) accept standard debit card, PayPal, and ACH deposits in US dollars. Welcome offers and ongoing promotional credit programmes effectively reduce the cost of starting on these platforms for new users.

Tax reporting on winnings follows standard US tax rules. CFTC-regulated platforms issue 1099-MISC forms for prediction earnings above the IRS threshold. State-licensed sports prediction platforms follow state-specific tax reporting rules. Always consult a tax professional for specific situations involving meaningful prediction market activity.

US-regulated prediction platforms include consumer protections that match the standards of regulated US financial venues.

Segregated customer funds are required by CFTC rules. Your deposits on Kalshi and Robinhood Predict are held in separate bank accounts from the platform's operating capital. If the platform fails or files bankruptcy, your funds are protected. State-licensed sports prediction platforms follow state-specific consumer protection rules with similar but not identical fund segregation requirements.

Responsible gambling tools are available on all major US-regulated platforms. Deposit limits, time limits, and self-exclusion options let you control your activity. Reach for these tools before they become urgent rather than after. Read our responsible gambling guide for detailed strategies and support resources.

If you are concerned about your prediction market activity right now, free 24/7 helplines are available. The National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER is confidential and answered by trained counsellors. You do not need to wait until things become unmanageable to ask for help.