NFL voices concern about prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi
The NFL is concerned about prediction markets including Polymarket and Kalshi, according to a CBS News report. Americans are expected to bet $29.5 billion on the NFL this season, roughly flat with last year, as prediction markets pressure traditional sportsbook growth and threaten state tax revenue. The rise of regulated prediction market platforms is contributing to a shift in wagering volume away from conventional sports betting operators, though specific market share figures remain unreported.
The NFL's concern hardens a league posture that already rejects prediction market deals and keeps three sportsbook partners for 2026. For Kalshi and Polymarket, league opposition is not abstract: the NFL's 'bets' label arms state attorneys general who argue event contracts are disguised gambling. That erodes the CFTC-registered positioning both platforms built their sports verticals on.
The flat $29.5 billion handle signals prediction markets are capturing growth that sportsbooks once owned, pressuring state tax revenue tied to traditional betting. Other leagues now watch the NFL before deciding their own prediction market stance. For traders, the contract menu may thin as platforms face season-long integrity accusations and potential delistings.
The NFL stiffens resistance to CFTC-regulated prediction markets on its games as Kalshi and Polymarket's sports volumes grow, unlike MLB and NHL which have struck partnerships.