Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com currently lead the US prediction market space, with sports-first traders often preferring PrizePicks, Underdog, or Fanatics Markets instead. Prediction markets let you trade on real-world outcomes across elections, economic data, sports, and culture, with contract prices reflecting the market's collective probability of an event happening. Below, we explain how buying and selling works and break down the top platforms in more detail.




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Choosing the right prediction market platform depends entirely on what you want to trade and how you want to fund your account. This quick comparison breaks down the standout features and primary market focuses of today’s top platforms, spanning regulated US economic order books, global decentralized networks, and sports contracts, to help you find the best home for your capital.
| Prediction Market App | Standout Trading Feature | Market Focus & Asset Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto.com | Seamless fiat-to-crypto instant conversion right inside the event trading ticket. | Natively traded crypto assets, short-term coin price movements, macroeconomic events, and major sports. |
| Kalshi | Legal, regulated institutional order books with deep liquidity for US economic indicators. | Comprehensive US macroeconomics (Fed rates, inflation), climate tracking, government statistics, and pop culture. |
| Polymarket | Global peer-to-peer liquidity running on decentralized blockchain rails. | Global geopolitics, international elections, pop culture, crypto ecosystem milestones, and breaking global news. |
| Robinhood | Standardized, low-barrier retail mobile interface for macro and live sports event contracts. | High-visibility US presidential elections and core US economic indicators (such as CPI and employment numbers). |
| Underdog | Gamified team asset interface bringing CFTC-regulated sports event contracts to users in non-sports betting states. | Strictly focused on sports event contracts (point spreads, totals, moneylines) |
| PrizePicks | Structured combination contracts allowing users to stack player fantasy projections with team-based "Yes/No" macro event contracts. | Sports point totals, team wins, pop culture milestones, and award shows, currently powered via Kalshi, with a Polymarket integration announced but not yet confirmed live. |
| Fanatics Markets | Tiered FanCash rebate program returning up to 40% on high-volume trading, plus loyalty rewards across the wider Fanatics ecosystem. | Deep focus on major league sports, alongside cryptocurrency movements, mainstream politics, and finance. |
| OG | Real-time price discovery with margin trading in development, pending CFTC certification. | Volatile crypto asset benchmarks, tech/AI milestones, and specialized sports derivative data. |
| FanDuel Predicts | Cross-asset combination and multi-leg derivative contracts. | All-encompassing retail hub for sports, commodities, inflation, entertainment awards, and Bitcoin. |
| Coinbase | Direct wallet connectivity and tokenized utility routing for Web3 on-chain prediction protocols. | Functioning primarily as a bridge to decentralized platforms and asset custody; does not clear a proprietary engine. |
| DraftKings Predict | Now running on DraftKings' own in-house exchange, DKeX (launched June 2026), with a sportsbook-style interface for users switching over from traditional betting lines. | Exclusively major league sports matchups, championship winners, and entertainment award shows. |
| Sleeper Markets | Consumer interface offering sports contracts powered natively by Kalshi's backend integration. | Specialized sports league outcomes, team match wins, and point spreads. |
| MooMoo | Kalshi-integrated retail portal embedding binary event trading alongside core equities tracking. | Primary US economic data, Federal Reserve interest rate predictions, and domestic policy shifts. |
| ROLR | Real-money consumer event trading brand backed by Crypto.com CDNA integration. | Global sports leagues, competitive gaming/esports outcomes, and mainstream pop-culture events. |
| Gemini | Built using regulated infrastructure for compliant, crypto-centric retail event contract execution. | Crypto price brackets, layer-1 ecosystem milestones, and digital asset regulatory timelines. |
| WeBull | Direct Kalshi routing infrastructure embedded natively into an active-trader brokerage platform. | US economic indicator contracts, inflation metrics, and major sport championship results. |
| Interactive Brokers | Native execution routing across Kalshi, ForecastEx, and CME Group via a professional financial suite. | Core institutional metrics: central bank policy, GDP benchmarks, global climate tracking data, and cross-exchange price comparison. |
Even in a young and fast-moving industry, a handful of prediction market platforms have already separated themselves from the pack, each carving out its own strengths in market depth, regulation, or ease of use.
Below, we dig into the standout prediction market apps worth your attention, covering what each one does well, where it falls short, and who it's actually built for, so you can find the right fit before you trade a single contract.
This CFTC-regulated prediction market app allows you to trade event contracts on everything from political outcomes and economic indicators to sports results. Unlike some offshore platforms that can feel a bit like the wild west, the biggest advantage here is the regulatory layer. Because it’s operated by Crypto.com Derivatives North America (CDNA), you’re getting a transparent, fully collateralized environment that feels much more professional and secure.
We found trading on this app to be very straightforward, as you’re simply buying "Yes" or "No" contracts that settle at $1 or $0. It’s perfect if you want to hedge against specific news events or just test your intuition without leaving the app ecosystem you already know. It’s worth keeping an eye on the Crypto.com "OG" standalone app as well. It’s recently spun its prediction business into this dedicated app, which is specifically optimized for deeper event-trading and faster market discovery.
Read our full Crypto.com review here.
Kalshi stands out as the premier, CFTC-regulated prediction market in the United States, offering a professional, stock market-style experience that feels far more familiar to traditional traders than crypto-native alternatives. Because it operates under strict federal oversight, the platform provides a level of security and transparency, such as segregated customer funds, that offshore competitors simply can’t match. We found the interface to be clean and user-friendly, allowing you to trade binary "Yes/No" contracts directly in U.S. dollars without needing a crypto wallet or complex blockchain infrastructure.
Beyond its core event contracts on elections, weather, and sports, Kalshi has recently made a major strategic shift by launching Bitcoin perpetual futures, positioning itself as a legitimate, compliant gateway for institutional and retail traders to access crypto-style instruments. While the platform is structured and selective, its focus on regulatory compliance and high-integrity order books makes it an excellent choice for traders who prioritize safety and ease of use.
Read our full Kalshi review here.
Polymarket has made a notable return to the U.S. market in late 2025 and early 2026. The platform received its CFTC regulation through the acquisition of QCEX, a licensed exchange. This development allows Polymarket to operate as a regulated platform for U.S. users, with a phased rollout now well underway throughout 2026.
The platform continues to operate on blockchain infrastructure, primarily using USDC stablecoins for trading, which requires some familiarity with cryptocurrency from its users. Polymarket remains a leader in market variety by offering an extensive range of markets across politics, culture, sports, and global events. Its liquidity is particularly strong, especially for high-profile, news-driven questions, making it appealing for users seeking diverse choices and sharp pricing.
Notably, Polymarket has received significant institutional backing, including a $2 billion total commitment from ICE. In response to recent scrutiny over geopolitical trades, Polymarket recently announced the implementation of enhanced guardrails, including stricter identity verification and a ban on users trading on events where they may possess non-public "insider" knowledge.
Read our full Polymarket review here.
Robinhood has significantly expanded its footprint in the prediction markets landscape by offering native, direct access to CFTC-regulated event contracts right inside its primary app. Unlike platforms tied to blockchain mechanics or stablecoins, Robinhood utilizes standard U.S. dollars for all transactions, allowing retail investors to fund trades seamlessly using their existing brokerage account balances.
While the platform has seen a massive surge in volume on high-profile sports matchups, its market scope remains highly versatile, featuring liquid contract tracks for political events, macroeconomic data releases, and major corporate milestones. To maintain strict federal compliance amidst surging user engagement, Robinhood enforces automated verification checks and rigorous geo-fencing, requiring users to be physically located within an approved U.S. jurisdiction to make trades or use early cash-out features.
Read our full Robinhood review here.
Underdog Predicts has quickly expanded beyond its daily fantasy roots to become a highly versatile player in the prediction market space. Operating as a federally compliant platform following its milestone acquisition of the CFTC-registered Aristotle Exchange, it offers users a legal platform for trading. Here, Users can seamlessly trade data-driven outcome contracts covering major financial trends, sports events, macroeconomics, entertainment awards, and political events.
Our Underdog Predicts review found that the app does an excellent job of bridging the gap between traditional sports fan and market trader. The backend engine updates contract prices immediately as news drops, which prevents the frustrating pricing lag often seen on peer-to-peer setups. The interface is sleek and feels familiar if you’ve used fantasy apps before, making it easy to toggle between tracking market volume and managing your open contract positions. For anyone looking for a unified, secure ecosystem to trade their opinions on both sports and global events, Underdog Predicts delivers a highly reliable, straightforward platform.
Read our full Underdog Predicts review here.
Operating through partnerships with major exchanges like Kalshi and Polymarket, Prizepicks Predict functions as a federally approved Futures Commission Merchant under CFTC guidelines. This regulatory structure allows the platform to legally offer binary "Yes/No" event contracts across major athletic leagues like football, basketball, and soccer, alongside non-sporting categories. What we believe truly sets this platform apart is its integration of non-sports markets through dedicated Culture Picks, allowing participants to predict outcomes within entertainment, such as music charts and major awards ceremonies.
The app features an intuitive mobile interface equipped with optimized data feeds for swift price discovery, meaning contract payout structures adjust dynamically based on real-time market sentiment and breaking news. Users can even combine these Team or Culture event contracts with classic player stat projections into single "Power Play" lineups to unlock higher payout multipliers. For active fans seeking a secure, versatile environment that bridges pop culture and team athletics with formal event contracts, PrizePicks Predicts is certainly worth checking out.
Read our full Prizepicks Predicts review here.
Fanatics Markets is a licensed prediction market exchange that successfully turns mainstream fan engagement into tradeable event contracts. While the platform leverages the massive Fanatics brand power in the sports world, it functions as a broader event-driven ecosystem. Users can trade outcomes not just on game-day player metrics, but also on culture, entertainment, and current events. The platform is backed by deep institutional capital, which gives it immediate liquidity and a major trust advantage over smaller, unregulated prediction market platforms.
The mobile interface is also exceptionally clean and avoids the overwhelming, data-dense look of traditional financial order books. Instead, it offers a visual, highly intuitive layout that allows casual users and seasoned traders alike to track market velocity, buy contracts, and exit positions effortlessly. A massive standout feature is its integration with the broader Fanatics ecosystem, allowing users to earn FanCash rewards on their trades, a loyalty perk that traditional prediction markets simply cannot match.
Read our full Fanatics Markets review here.
OG stands out as a fully regulated exchange that focuses purely on prediction markets. Operating under strict federal CFTC oversight via Derivatives North America (CDNA), it gives you a secure space where contract values shift based on real-time crowd probability. Instead of dealing with traditional financial markets, you’re trading directly on clear, data-driven outcomes across economy, climate, political and sports event contracts.
The OG app uses proprietary technology built for fast price discovery, meaning the contract prices adjust instantly as new information drops and public sentiment shifts. The interface feels natural and works beautifully on mobile, making it easy to track market volume and manage your positions without any lag. For anyone looking for a reliable ecosystem that blends public forecasting with structured contracts, OG is an excellent option.
Read our full OG review here.
FanDuel Predicts is a legal, nationwide event-trading app that transforms complex economic forecasting and cultural trends into a highly streamlined mobile experience. Born out of a powerhouse joint venture with CME Group, and later expanding through an infrastructure partnership with Crypto.com's OG Prediction Markets, this platform bridges the gap between institutional financial mechanics and everyday consumer knowledge.
Traders can trade on markets across economy, politics, crypto, sports events, pop culture milestones and major news events. A recent, massive structural upgrade has significantly altered the application's competitive position. By integrating Crypto.com’s clearinghouse backend alongside its existing CME Group infrastructure, FanDuel Predicts has also introduced combination event contracts. This allows seasoned traders to build parlay-style positions across disparate financial, entertainment, and sports milestones, a highly sought-after capability that is entirely missing from many other traditional, decentralized prediction markets.
Read our full FanDuel Predicts review here.
Unlike a sportsbook where you're betting against the house at odds it sets, a prediction market is peer-to-peer. On these platforms, you're trading contracts directly against other users, and the price moves based on what the crowd collectively believes will happen.
Also known as information markets or event derivatives, these platforms are regulated as financial products rather than gambling. Below, we’ve broken down the core trading mechanics to give you a clear look at how prediction markets work.
Core Trading Mechanics
Every contract is written around a specific, predetermined question with clear resolution criteria set before trading opens. So, there's no ambiguity about what counts as a "Yes" or a "No".
Outcomes are then determined by referencing an independent, verifiable source tied to that category. For example, official league box scores for sports contracts, government data releases (like the BLS or Federal Reserve) for economic contracts, or certified election results for political contracts.
Once the underlying event concludes and the relevant data is confirmed, contracts typically settle automatically, and winning positions pay out at $1.00 whereas losing positions expire at $0.00, usually within a short window after the result is verified.
If a contract's wording turns out to be ambiguous or a result is genuinely disputed, regulated exchanges have a formal review process to resolve it, since the CFTC requires contract terms to be clearly defined before they're approved for listing.
Below we’ve put together a mathematical breakdown of trading a single 1-share event contract.
| Market Parameter | Example Scenario: Will Bitcoin Close Above $100,000 on Dec 31, 2026? |
|---|---|
| Current Contract Price | $0.55 (Implies a 55% market probability) |
| Upfront Cost (1 Share) | $0.55 |
| Settlement Payout (Win) | $1.00 (Contract settles at maximum value) |
| Net Profit (Win) | $0.45 (Minus platform fees) |
| Total Loss (Lose) | $0.55 (Contract expires at $0.00) |
One of the most enjoyable things about using the best prediction market sites is just how much variety you get in terms of what you make predictions on.
The prediction markets model has proven to be perfectly suited to sports fans. Here are some examples of the sports predictions that have recently appeared at these sites:
The world of politics has been getting people pretty fired up over the past decade, so it’s no surprise it's a prominent category. Check out some of the recent popular politics predictions:
Trading on the economy might not sound like a lot of fun, but it is growing hugely popular. Here are some economic prediction markets that have gained a lot of traction in recent times:
Chances are that you won’t be able to bet on entertainment at regular online sportsbooks, but it’s hugely popular at prediction market sites. Here are just some examples of the culture prediction markets that you could be trading:
One of the most popular prediction markets is the climate, where you can purchase contracts on the weather. This might sound a little odd, but recent climate changes have added an element of drama to this topic, and here are some examples of the climate predictions you could be making:
There is an ongoing debate over whether prediction markets should be classified as gambling. However, many prediction market platforms currently operate legally in the U.S., largely because they are not regulated in the same way as state-licensed online sportsbooks.
Instead of requiring state-by-state gambling licenses, prediction market platforms operate under federal oversight, primarily by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Because these platforms are structured as event-based financial contracts rather than traditional wagers, they typically allow users to participate at 18, unlike the 21+ requirement common in regulated sports betting.
That said, the legal landscape is actively evolving. On March 23, 2026, Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced the "Prediction Markets are Gambling Act," a bipartisan bill that aims to ban federal officials from trading on these platforms and restrict certain types of event contracts, particularly those related to sports and casino-style outcomes.
Concurrently, a Federal Appeals Court ruling in early April 2026 regarding CFTC jurisdiction over sports event contracts has provided further clarity on the regulatory boundaries. As a result, availability can vary by platform and by state, and some operators have chosen to limit or pause services in specific jurisdictions.
Prediction markets draw increasing attention from state lawmakers and regulators across the U.S. While some jurisdictions are exploring new restrictions or broader gambling definitions that could apply to these platforms, others remain in a monitoring phase without taking formal action.
| State | Last Update | Current Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Alaska | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Arizona | July 2026 | Legal: A state Attorney General attempt to criminally prosecute prediction markets was blocked by a federal judge, who converted a temporary order into a preliminary injunction on May 5, 2026, ruling the CFTC holds exclusive authority. |
| Arkansas | July 2026 | Legal: No binding statutory bans or attorney general enforcement actions exist. Residents can trade on CFTC-regulated platforms under federal rules. |
| California | July 2026 | Legal: Platforms operate under federal guidelines. The July 1, 2026 Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL) focuses strictly on crypto licensing, not prediction markets, though the state Attorney General joined a 37-state coalition in June 2026 pushing to restrict sports-event contracts. |
| Colorado | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Connecticut | July 2026 | Restricted: The state issued a Cease-and-Desist order against prediction platforms for unlicensed gambling. The CFTC counter-sued Connecticut in April 2026, claiming exclusive federal jurisdiction. |
| Delaware | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Florida | July 2026 | Legal: Platforms operate under standard federal exchange guidelines. Regulators monitor the space, but the platform remains fully accessible despite the state's tribal gaming compacts. |
| Georgia | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Hawaii | July 2026 | Legal: HB 2198, which would have classified prediction markets as illegal gambling, stalled without a Senate companion and died at the legislature's May adjournment. Despite Hawaii's blanket ban on other forms of gambling, major CFTC-regulated platforms including Kalshi currently operate and accept Hawaii residents. |
| Idaho | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Illinois | July 2026 | Ongoing: The state enacted a new transaction volume tax (1.75% to 3.5%) taking effect July 1, 2026. On June 24-25, 2026, Kalshi filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law as preempted by federal CFTC authority. |
| Indiana | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Iowa | July 2026 | Ongoing: Kalshi filed a preemptive federal lawsuit against the Iowa Attorney General in March 2026 challenging state enforcement threats. Aside from that dispute, no statutory prohibition targets commercial event trading, and platforms operate under standard federal rules. |
| Kansas | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Kentucky | July 2026 | Ongoing: Following an industry lawsuit on June 12 challenging the state's new 14.25% prediction market excise tax, the Kentucky Attorney General filed lawsuits on June 17, 2026, accusing Kalshi and Polymarket of running unlicensed sportsbooks (plus a third lawsuit against unrelated sweepstakes operator VGW). |
| Louisiana | July 2026 | Restricted: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board issued a formal Advisory Notice in December 2025 declaring sports and event contracts to be illegal gambling. Rather than targeting platforms directly, it threatens the licenses of the state's own sportsbooks and vendors if they facilitate or partner with prediction markets. |
| Maine | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Maryland | July 2026 | Restricted: State gaming regulators issued cease-and-desist orders. A federal judge denied Kalshi's bid for an injunction in August 2025, and the case is now pending a decision from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals following May 2026 oral arguments. |
| Massachusetts | July 2026 | Ongoing: A Suffolk County Superior Court judge granted the state a preliminary injunction against Kalshi's sports contracts in January 2026, but that injunction is currently stayed pending Kalshi's appeal, meaning Kalshi continues to operate in the state. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments in May 2026 and has not yet ruled. |
| Michigan | July 2026 | Restricted: Following a March 2026 AG lawsuit, a federal judge denied Polymarket's and Robinhood's injunction bids in June, ruling state regulation can apply even if contracts are "swaps." Kalshi's own case was remanded to state court on June 26, and a Michigan state judge has since issued a temporary restraining order blocking Kalshi's sports contracts through July 13. |
| Minnesota | July 2026 | Ongoing: Enacted a sweeping law making the operation of commercial prediction markets a felony, effective August 1, 2026. The CFTC, Kalshi, and Polymarket have all filed separate federal lawsuits to block the law, with a preliminary injunction hearing held July 1-2 and no ruling issued yet. |
| Mississippi | July 2026 | Legal: Local gaming boards have expressed opposition to event contracts, but no official enforcement measures or bans have been initiated. Platforms operate under federal guidelines. |
| Missouri | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Montana | July 2026 | Restricted: The state enacted SB 555 in October 2025, expanding the definition of illegal internet gambling to explicitly ban platforms and introducing felony liability of up to 10 years for operating unlicensed virtual payout sites. |
| Nebraska | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Nevada | July 2026 | Restricted: Under an active state court preliminary injunction, platforms face strict geofencing mandates. The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a contempt motion on June 12, 2026, alleging Kalshi has failed to fully block local users. The Nevada Supreme Court denied Kalshi's emergency stay request on July 2, 2026, and a full evidentiary contempt hearing is scheduled for July 16. |
| New Hampshire | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| New Jersey | July 2026 | Legal: A 2-1 ruling by the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on April 6, 2026 established that prediction market contracts are federally protected "swaps," limiting the state's ability to enforce gaming bans. New Jersey is now seeking a deadline extension to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for review, citing pending rulings from the Fourth and Ninth Circuits and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that could establish a circuit split. |
| New Mexico | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| New York | July 2026 | Ongoing: Overlapping retail class-actions regarding loss-recovery statutes have been consolidated in the SDNY, while platforms continue to operate under standard federal oversight rules. |
| North Carolina | July 2026 | Ongoing: State lawmakers passed a budget provision creating a 6% tax on prediction market operators' net trading fee revenue from in-state trades, effective January 1, 2027 — making North Carolina the second state after Illinois to specifically tax the sector. Unlike Illinois, CFTC-registered platforms can operate without a state license. |
| North Dakota | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Ohio | July 2026 | Restricted: A US District Court Judge denied Kalshi's motion for an injunction, backing the state's position that sports-event contracts constitute unlicensed gambling. The Ohio Casino Control Commission has issued a notice of intent to fine Kalshi $5 million, though this remains a proposed penalty pending a hearing, not a finalized fine. |
| Oklahoma | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Oregon | July 2026 | Legal: State lottery officials have raised competitive concerns, but no binding regulatory enforcement or bans have been enacted. |
| Pennsylvania | July 2026 | Restricted: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board formally declared event contracts to be illegal sports wagering under state law and submitted comments to the CFTC opposing prediction markets, though no direct enforcement action against platforms has been taken. |
| Rhode Island | July 2026 | Ongoing: Following a May 21, 2026 state lawsuit against Kalshi and Polymarket, the federal CFTC sued Rhode Island on May 28, 2026, arguing that federal swap rules completely preempt state gambling enforcement. |
| South Carolina | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| South Dakota | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Tennessee | July 2026 | Ongoing: A federal judge granted Kalshi a preliminary injunction in February 2026 following a cease-and-desist order from the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, allowing Kalshi to remain open locally while the state pursues its case. |
| Texas | July 2026 | Legal: Prediction markets operate without formal regulatory action under federal rules, continuing normally even while sports betting remains prohibited. |
| Utah | July 2026 | Illegal: HB 243 officially took effect on May 6, 2026, clarifying that a proposition bet falls within the definition of gambling, prompting a federal preemption challenge from Kalshi, which sued preemptively in February 2026. |
| Vermont | July 2026 | Legal: Restrictive language inside H.913 failed to advance before the legislative session ended, leaving platforms active under federal rules. |
| Virginia | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Washington | July 2026 | Illegal: State maintains prediction markets violate strict local internet gambling laws. A Ninth Circuit ruling on May 21, 2026 denied Kalshi's stay request, clearing the way for the case to proceed in state court, with a hearing scheduled for July 10. |
| West Virginia | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
| Wisconsin | July 2026 | Restricted: The state sued Kalshi, Polymarket, Crypto.com, Coinbase, and Robinhood in state court on April 23, 2026, alleging unlicensed gambling. The CFTC countersued Wisconsin on April 28, 2026, seeking federal preemption. The case remains actively litigated in both state and federal court, with no injunction or stay currently in place. |
| Wyoming | July 2026 | Legal: No state-level statutory restrictions or regulatory enforcement actions exist. Platforms operate under default federal guidelines. |
While there are many prediction market sites, they all work in a fairly similar manner. This means that you’ll usually just have to take the following steps to make your predictions:
Choose one of the recommended prediction market apps on this page.
Create your customer account by filling in the registration form with personal details like your name, home address and date of birth.
Verify your identity by submitting the required government-issued photo ID as well as your social security number.
Go to the cashier page and make an opening deposit with one of the accepted payment methods.
Browse the available prediction markets and buy one or more contracts by clicking on the 'Yes' or 'No' tab.
Wait until the event has settled, and then if you've won your prediction, you'll be able to make a withdrawal back to the payment method used for making your deposits.
While prediction markets are still a relatively new space, the number of available platforms is growing quickly. To help you choose with confidence, we review and compare each prediction market site using a clear and consistent set of criteria focused on legality, usability, and overall value.
We only recommend prediction market platforms that are legally permitted to operate in the U.S. and, where applicable, available in your state. Each site featured on this page has been checked for regulatory standing and operational legitimacy.
A strong prediction market should offer a wide range of questions, covering areas like U.S. sports, politics, economics, pop culture, and global events. We also look for active markets with enough volume to ensure fair pricing and easy entry or exit.
Fees should be clearly explained and easy to understand. We favor platforms that outline how fees are charged upfront, with no hidden costs or confusing pricing structures.
Reliable customer support is essential. We look for platforms that offer responsive help through channels like live chat, email, or in-app support, with clear guidance when issues arise.
Users should have access to secure funding options, whether through fiat payments, crypto, or both. We also consider how quickly and smoothly withdrawals are processed once a contract settles.
A good prediction market platform should be easy to navigate, with a clean layout and intuitive tools. We also assess whether mobile apps or mobile-friendly web platforms are available for trading on the go.
Security is a top priority. We check for SSL encryption, strong account protections, and clear privacy policies to ensure user data and funds are properly safeguarded.
Prediction markets and online sportsbooks both focus on forecasting outcomes, but they differ significantly in how prices are set, where they’re available, and what users can trade. For some players, prediction markets offer greater flexibility and transparency, while sportsbooks still lead in familiarity and promotions.
As prediction markets continue to grow in popularity, more regulated platforms are expected to enter the market, bringing increased competition, improved features, and potentially more incentives for new users.
For now, the prediction market sites reviewed on this page offer trusted, legally compliant options for users looking to trade on a wide range of events.
Yes. Polymarket returned to the US market in late 2025 after acquiring a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange QCEX. US users must trade through Polymarket US specifically, as the original offshore Polymarket platform remains geo-blocked for US IP addresses.
Yes. Prediction markets involve financial risk, and there is always the possibility of losing money. Outcomes are inherently uncertain, so it's important to use reputable platforms and only trade amounts you're comfortable risking.
Sports betting works against a bookmaker who sets fixed odds and profits when you lose. Prediction markets work more like a stock exchange, as you're trading contracts against other users, prices move based on supply and demand, and you can buy or sell your position at any time before the event resolves.
Most major prediction market platforms, including Kalshi, Polymarket, and Robinhood, require users to be at least 18 years old.
Yes. Profits from trading event contracts are generally treated as taxable income in the US. Reporting requirements can vary by platform, and not all operators issue the same tax forms, so it's worth keeping your own trading records and speaking with a tax professional about how your specific gains should be reported.
It's possible, but not guaranteed. Contract prices reflect the market's collective probability estimate, so to consistently make a profit requires being right more often than the crowd, not just picking outcomes you feel good about. Like any form of trading, prediction markets carry real financial risk, and you should only trade money you can afford to lose.
Prediction markets involve financial risk, and outcomes are never guaranteed. In light of this, trading should always be controlled and enjoyable. Keep your activity in check by following responsible trading practices such as:
Only trade money you can afford to lose and stop when your budget is reached.
Avoid increasing trade size or frequency to recover losses.
Don't trade when stressed, tired, emotional, or under the influence.
Take breaks and avoid letting trading interfere with daily life.
Learn how contracts, pricing, fees, and settlement work before trading.
Use spending limits, account history, or self-exclusion tools where available.
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Mac Douglass as part of our fact-checking process.
Disclaimer: All of the information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We do NOT accept bets of any kind. The information we provide is accurate and trustworthy to help you make better decisions. When you click or tap on a link on Dimers that leads to a third-party website that we have a commercial arrangement with (such as an online sportsbook), we may earn referral fees. Dimers does not endorse or encourage illegal or irresponsible gambling in any form. Before placing any wagers with any betting site, you must check the online gambling regulations in your jurisdiction or state, as they do vary. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
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