Polymarket Prepares to Return to the US Ahead of the 2025 NFL Season

Prediction market platform Polymarket appears set to return to the US in time for the 2025 NFL season, according to Sportico. The platform has been running advertisements in the US and is inviting potential new customers to join a waiting list.

Polymarket, a prediction market platform, is poised to return to the U.S. market in time for the 2025 NFL season, according to Sportico. The platform has been running advertisements in the U.S. and inviting potential new customers to join a waiting list. After being barred from the U.S. since early 2022 due to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) enforcement actions, Polymarket recently acquired QCEX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, for $112 million. This acquisition provides Polymarket a regulated and compliant pathway to re-enter the U.S. market [1].

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi operate by offering sports contracts that are financial assets, which they argue should be overseen by the federal CFTC instead of state gambling commissions. The price of a prediction market contract on a sports event reflects the consensus of users on the probability of an outcome. The prices move dynamically based on trading and are not set by a bookmaker, similar to betting lines. The sports betting sector is experiencing disruption due to the advent of prediction markets [1].

FanDuel (NYSE:FLUT) has entered a strategic partnership with CME Group (CME) to create a platform that allows retail users to bet on the outcomes of financial market events. The joint venture is set up to operate as a non-clearing futures commission merchant. Pending regulatory review, the launch could be later in 2025. The partnership is seen as comparable to Robinhood Markets (HOOD) and Kalshi's partnership and sets the stage for DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) and potentially BetMGM (MGM) (OTCPK:GMVHF) to also jump into the mix [1].

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4488066-are-you-ready-for-football-kalshi-and-polymarket-are