DraftKings launches proprietary DKeX exchange via Railbird acquisition
DraftKings has launched DKeX, a proprietary prediction markets exchange powered by its acquisition of designated contract market Railbird Technologies. The platform integrates with DraftKings' Sports & Casino app and deepens the company's push into event contracts following its earlier Crypto.com contracts initiative. DraftKings framed the exchange as the next phase of its 'prediction markets evolution,' giving it direct control over content and operations rather than relying on third-party infrastructure. CEO and co-founder Jason Robins called DKeX a 'vertically integrated foundation for DraftKings Predictions.' The launch comes as DraftKings Predictions has generated approximately $3.4 billion in annualized consumer volume and as competitors including Novig and ProphetX crowd the sector. The company applies its Responsible Gaming framework to the product, which is available in 18 states.
CEO and co-founder Jason Robins called DKeX a 'vertically integrated foundation for DraftKings Predictions' as competitor ProphetX launched its prediction market last week after submitting its DCM application in January.
DraftKings DKeX is already a CFTC-registered designated contract market via acquired exchange, giving it the same federal regulatory standing as Kalshi and Polymarket. The $3.4 billion annualized volume puts DraftKings in direct competition for market-maker attention and liquidity partnerships that were previously concentrated among earlier entrants.
DraftKings joins Novig and ProphetX in a rush of new CFTC-registered exchange launches that puts three fresh designated contract markets into competition with incumbents Kalshi and Polymarket for retail prediction-market flow.