Robinhood and Kalshi Redefine Betting with Real-Time Football Prediction Markets

Robinhood Derivatives, LLC has partnered with KalshiEX LLC to launch NFL and college football prediction markets, marking a significant expansion of the platform's event trading capabilities. These new markets are now accessible directly within the Robinhood app through the Prediction Markets Hub, enabling customers to trade contracts on the outcomes of major football games. The initiative includes all regular season professional football matchups and college Power Four teams, with contracts rolling out weekly as the season progresses.

This move is part of Robinhood's broader strategy to position itself as a comprehensive financial services platform. "Football is far and away the most popular sport in America," said JB Mackenzie, VP & GM of Futures and International at Robinhood. The company emphasized that the integration of pro and college football into its prediction markets hub aligns with its mission to offer a one-stop shop for all investing and trading needs. The Prediction Markets Hub now enables users to participate in a wide range of markets, including crypto, economics, financials, sports, and culture, with new categories being added regularly.

Unlike traditional sports betting, where bookmakers set lines, the prediction markets on Robinhood leverage the structure of financial markets. Contracts are traded in a marketplace where buyers and sellers interact to determine prices, allowing customers to adjust or exit their positions in real time. This structure introduces a level of flexibility and risk management not typically found in conventional betting environments. The contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant, and are available across the U.S. through the KalshiEX exchange.

KalshiEX, which operates under CFTC regulation, has expanded its offerings to include more complex betting formats such as point spreads, totals, and touchdown prop bets for football games. This development brings Kalshi closer to offering a full sports betting experience, moving beyond simple moneyline bets. The expansion was announced following self-certifications with the CFTC and has been well-received in markets with high demand for sports betting. Kalshi has also highlighted the importance of federal oversight in ensuring consumer protections similar to those found in traditional financial markets.

The regulatory landscape for prediction markets remains dynamic, with Kalshi facing legal challenges in several states. Notably, a federal court in Maryland ruled that Kalshi operates similarly to a traditional sportsbook, raising questions about its compliance with state gambling laws. Despite these challenges, Kalshi and Robinhood continue to defend their model, arguing that peer-to-peer trading on a regulated exchange distinguishes their offerings from traditional betting. This distinction has allowed them to operate in states where sports betting is otherwise restricted, such as Texas and California.

Robinhood's expansion into prediction markets reflects a growing trend in the financial and betting industries, where the boundaries between traditional investments and speculative trading are becoming increasingly blurred. The company's collaboration with Kalshi also underscores the potential for regulated prediction markets to coexist with, and even compete against, established sports betting platforms. As Robinhood continues to grow its prediction market offerings, it may challenge traditional platforms like DraftKings and Fanduel, offering users an alternative that blends elements of financial trading and sports betting in a federally regulated environment.

Source: [1] Robinhood Launches Pro and College Football Prediction Markets (https://newsroom.aboutrobinhood.com/pro-and-college-football-prediction-markets/) [2] Robinhood Partners With Kalshi to Launch NFL and College Football Prediction Markets (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/19/robinhood-partners-with-kalshi-to-launch-pro-and-college-football-prediction-markets) [3] Robinhood (HOOD) Launches Football Predictions Market (https://www.tipranks.com/news/robinhood-markets-hood-launches-football-predictions-market) [4] Kalshi Expands Sports Offerings Ahead of Football Season (https://frontofficesports.com/kalshi-adds-props-parlays-amid-legal-uncertainty/) [5] Point Spreads And Prop Betting Are Coming To Kalshi (https://closingline.substack.com/p/the-early-line-point-spreads-prop-betting-kalshi) [6] Kalshi Promo Code: Use 'COVERS' for $10 Bonus in 2025 (https://www.covers.com/betting/bonuses/kalshi-promo-code)