Prediction markets are coming to sports in a big way. Heres what you need to know The Athletic

Most online sportsbook allow you to set deposit, wagering, and time limits to help you keep your betting in check. We also evaluate promotions for existing customers, like reload bonuses and sportsbook referral bonuses. They are all rushing to not be late to the party, while prediction markets are still new, or even unknown, to so many people. In short, the ability to reach more customers and thus make more money is why companies are making this push.

BetMGM is strong for football depth, DraftKings and FanDuel are better for app speed and parlay tools, and bet365 is one of the better picks for live betting. Fanatics ranks No. 1 on our list for its speed and FanCash rewards. Utilize the problem gambling resources provided directly within your app or through your state’s gaming commission. Curious about the worst sports betting sites?

On the other side, it would be unreasonable to say most of the sports contracts on prediction markets don’t clearly mimic sports betting. “Frankly, when sports betting rolled out, you had established illegal operators that had a great product, and so the steps to close the gap were very clear. There are some similarities in how the industries grew quickly once the legal groundwork was set. Now his former company and his current one both have prediction markets that launched in December. The counterpoint is that stock markets operate similarly to prediction markets and are not considered gambling. “Now, we have people betting on the Eagles -2.5 with it.”

All markets are available in 17 states, including California, Texas and Florida. I think it’s best offshore sportsbooks going to continue to be an ongoing conversation because obviously there are a lot of open legal questions and challenges.” “I think it’s an extension of the road that we’ve navigated with regulators for the last seven years,” Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting & Gaming, said. But for sportsbooks, getting into prediction markets means trying to carefully navigate their relationships with state regulators. People in states without legal sports betting can and have turned to prediction markets in growing numbers.

Although it’s currently only available in 18 states, bet365’s superb online product earns it a high spot on our list. It has since grown internationally and now services customers as a premier global betting brand. Let’s not underestimate daily promotions and odds boosts for major and niche sports, excellent in-play prop markets, and more. There is also a top-tier loyalty experience through its MGM Rewards program, and its lines can sometimes lag behind market movement, creating favorable prices. Now one of the industry’s most reputable sports betting sites, BetMGM is the result of a partnership between Entain Holdings and MGM Resorts International.

Because of their variety and specificity, performance markets can attract more experienced bettors and help differentiate the overall sportsbook offering. However, they also require reliable data feeds and precise settlement logic, as they depend on accurate tracking of in-game statistics. For operators, performance markets are a key tool for expanding market depth and increasing user engagement. Asian handicap removes the draw and offers two outcomes, often including lines that can result in a refund if the adjusted result is level (e.g., -1.0). For example, if Team A is significantly stronger, a handicap like Team A -1.5 means they must win by at least two goals for the bet to succeed. These types of betting markets are used to balance matches where there is a clear difference in strength between two teams or players.

TheScore Bet started as the betting arm of theScore, the sports media app that roughly four million people across North America use for scores and news. For the better betting site in 2026, I’d give DraftKings the slight edge for overall betting depth and promo reliability, but Fanatics is strong if you value long-term rewards. With deep market coverage across all major sports, daily odds boosts, and hassle-free withdrawals, it’s a top choice for both casual fans and sharp bettors. DraftKings delivers a best-in-class betting experience powered by lightning-fast payouts, a seamless mobile app, and an industry-leading same-game parlay builder.

The sportsbook companies that have launched prediction markets aren’t offering them federally as they try to maneuver the legal landscape. That financial plumbing provides a clear explanation for why prediction markets are regulated at the federal level. “So really I think what the event contract markets have provided people is the ability to access a variety of asset classes that they maybe didn’t have access to before.” This cross-sell opportunity connects high-value casino customers with online sports betting, creating a customer acquisition channel that pure-play digital operators cannot replicate. We also look for whether checking an open wager, comparing a line, finding transaction history, or setting a limit is easy enough. By understanding how sports betting markets work — who sets the lines, why they move, and how prices reflect collective action — you can start thinking like a professional bettor.