The best prediction markets for real money
WouldYouBet is your independent guide to US prediction markets. We fund real accounts, trade, and rank the top CFTC-regulated platforms — with verified offers and a clear, state-by-state view of where they're legal.
Today's biggest movers
Each percentage is the market’s live estimate of how likely that outcome is — the crowd’s real-money read, from 1% (almost certainly no) to 99% (almost certainly yes). How the odds work →
Top 10 prediction markets in the US
Scored on regulation, liquidity, fees, app quality and bonus value. Every rating is editorial; every offer is verified against the operator's official US site.
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Kalshi Our pickBest overall · one regulated app for everythingTrade $10, get $10 in bonus creditNo code needed4.5★★★★☆ - 2
PolymarketWidest, deepest global marketsDeposit $20, trade, get $50 creditNo code needed4.5★★★★☆ - 3
FanDuel PredictsRisk-free first look · $25 no deposit$25 bonus, no deposit requiredNo code needed4.3★★★★☆ - 4
DraftKings PredictionsBest for sports in no-sportsbook statesTrade $5, get $50 in Prediction DollarsNo code needed4.2★★★★☆ - 5
Crypto.comWidest legal reach · simple flat feesNo prediction bonus (crypto-trading rewards only)No code needed4.1★★★★☆ - 6
Underdog PredictPredictions + fantasy in one appNo Predict bonus (fantasy offer only)No code needed4.0★★★★☆ - 7
Fanatics MarketsFamiliar brand for sports fansUp to $150 in FanCash via daily trade matches (7 days)No code needed3.9★★★☆☆ - 8
Robinhood PredictionsBest for existing Robinhood usersNo prediction bonus (free stock $5–$200)No code needed3.8★★★☆☆ - 9
NovigNo-vig sports trading for sharpsSweeps coins: spend $5, get $50 CoinsNo code needed3.8★★★☆☆ - 10PIPredictItDeep US political marketsNo bonus — never offered oneNo code needed3.5★★★☆☆
Reviewed: The Best Event Trading Platforms & Prediction Market Apps in the USA for 2026
What each one does best, who it’s for, and the honest catches.
Kalshi — Our pick
Kalshi is the heavyweight of US prediction markets — the first platform the CFTC ever licensed as a regulated exchange, so it works like a mini-Nasdaq for real-world outcomes rather than a sportsbook or an offshore crypto site. That head start made it dominant: Bank of America puts Kalshi at roughly 90% of all US prediction-market volume, and in April 2026 it passed Polymarket to become the world's largest by volume too. For users the draw is trust and simplicity: one clean app covers sports, politics, the economy and culture as Yes/No contracts priced 1¢–99¢, you only need to be 18, you fund from a US bank with no crypto, and idle cash is FDIC-insured up to $250,000. The honest caveats: sports is about 80% of its volume, so political coverage is thinner than Polymarket's, and it's currently unavailable in Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Ohio. Read our Kalshi review →
Polymarket — Widest, deepest global markets
Polymarket is the original prediction-markets giant — for most of 2024 it ran about 95% of all global volume — and it still pulls the biggest audience in the space, with roughly 1.1M monthly visits versus Kalshi's ~260K. Its edge is range and depth: the widest selection of markets anywhere across politics, crypto, world events, culture and sports, with deep liquidity and famously low fees so large trades fill tightly. The catch for Americans is that it's crypto-native — you fund with USDC rather than a bank card — and its CFTC-regulated US version, relaunched in 2025–2026 after it acquired the QCEX exchange, is still smaller and maturing (about $1.3B US volume in April 2026 against $9B internationally). Best if you want the richest market menu and don't mind a crypto wallet; for a regulated, bank-funded app, Kalshi is simpler. Read our Polymarket review →
FanDuel Predicts — Risk-free first look
FanDuel Predicts is the prediction-markets arm of America's biggest sportsbook brand, run as a standalone app in partnership with derivatives giant CME Group, pairing a familiar name with serious financial-market plumbing. It's now live in all 50 states, but the nuance matters: sports contracts are offered in only 18 of them (including California, Texas, Georgia and Florida), while the other 32 states get finance, economic and commodities markets only. Contracts work like everywhere else — buy Yes/No from 1¢ to 99¢, settle at $1 — and FanDuel deliberately pulls its sports markets from any state that later legalizes betting, so availability can shift. A trustworthy first stop for mainstream sports fans in no-sportsbook states — just check whether sports markets are live where you are. Read our FanDuel Predicts review →
DraftKings Predictions — Best for sports in no-sportsbook states
DraftKings Predictions launched in December 2025 across 38 states and leans hard into sports, using a familiar American-odds display (+150, −200) instead of cents so existing DraftKings bettors feel at home instantly. Its standout feature is real-time, play-by-play trading (via a Railbird integration), letting you trade contracts as a game unfolds. The key difference from Kalshi: DraftKings runs on state-by-state sportsbook licensing rather than a single federal license, so it's available in most states where its sportsbook already operates, with sports contracts in about 17 — meaning some states miss out entirely. Best if you're already a DraftKings user or want sportsbook-style live action with a trading twist; less reach than federally-licensed Kalshi. Read our DraftKings Predictions review →
Crypto.com — Widest legal reach, simple flat fees
Crypto.com folded prediction markets into its giant crypto-exchange app, and it's quietly become important infrastructure — it powers the prediction products behind both Fanatics Markets and Underdog. For users already inside the Crypto.com ecosystem it's the path of least resistance: fund instantly from your existing balance, trade event contracts on sports and major events, and pay simple flat fees with no confusing tiers. Its market selection is narrower than Kalshi's or Polymarket's and it sits at roughly 4% of US prediction-market volume, so it's more a convenient add-on than a destination. Best if you already use Crypto.com and want predictions in one trusted app — note there's no dedicated prediction bonus, only the exchange's standard crypto-trading rewards. Read our Crypto.com review →
Underdog Predict — Predictions + fantasy in one app
Underdog is best known for daily fantasy, and Underdog Predict folds prediction markets into the same app — no second download, no new account. Its genuinely unique feature is the combo entry: you can pair a prediction contract with fantasy picks in a single position, something no other regulated platform offers, with no deposit or withdrawal fees. It runs predictions through a Crypto.com partnership and currently reaches around 29 states, and in March 2026 it bought the CFTC-regulated Aristotle Exchange to start listing its own contracts. Best for existing Underdog fantasy players who want to add event trading without leaving the app — its standalone market depth still trails the big two. Read our Underdog Predict review →
Fanatics Markets — Familiar brand for sports fans
Fanatics Markets plugs prediction trading into the Fanatics sports empire — the merch, trading-cards and sportsbook brand millions of fans already know — and it was actually the first major operator to launch prediction markets, in early December 2025, through a partnership with Crypto.com. It's currently live in about 24 states and ties into the Fanatics rewards world, with welcome value paid as FanCash you can spend across the ecosystem. For diehard fans already collecting FanCash it's a natural fit, and the brand familiarity lowers the intimidation of trading contracts. That said, it's newer and narrower than Kalshi or Polymarket — a comfortable on-ramp rather than a power-user platform. Read our Fanatics Markets review →
Robinhood Predictions — Best for existing Robinhood users
Robinhood Predictions isn't a separate exchange — it's a Prediction Markets Hub built on Kalshi's infrastructure, so you trade the same CFTC-regulated event contracts, just inside the Robinhood app you may already use for stocks and crypto. That's the whole pitch: if your money and habits already live in Robinhood, you can trade outcomes on sports, economics and politics without opening a new account or funding a new wallet. Its 4.8 million App Store ratings make it by far the most-reviewed app in this lineup (4.3★) — a reflection of Robinhood's huge user base, not a prediction-specific following. Best purely for current Robinhood users; there's no dedicated prediction bonus, just the standard free-stock offer ($5–$200) for joining the broker. Read our Robinhood Predictions review →
Novig — No-vig sports trading for sharps
Novig is built for sharp sports bettors who hate paying the “vig” — instead of a sportsbook setting juiced odds, you trade peer-to-peer at true no-vig, commission-free prices, which over time can meaningfully improve returns. It launched on a free-to-play sweepstakes-coins model (Novig Coins to play, Novig Cash to redeem), which widened where it's legally available — most US states, excluding a handful like Michigan, Montana and Nevada. Big news: on June 16, 2026 Novig secured its own CFTC license and is moving from sweepstakes to a federally regulated prediction market. Best for experienced, price-sensitive sports traders chasing the sharpest lines — casual users will find the deep mainstream apps easier, since peer-to-peer fills depend on liquidity. Read our Novig review →
PredictIt — Deep US political markets
PredictIt is the elder statesman of US political prediction markets — an academic project of New Zealand's Victoria University of Wellington that's been pricing elections and political events since 2014, long before the current boom. Political junkies love it for the depth of its down-ballot and niche contracts, and it famously won its multi-year fight with the CFTC (in 2023) and now operates with full approval. But it shows its age: trades are capped at $850 per contract, liquidity is thin, fees are relatively steep, and it covers politics almost exclusively. Best as a specialist tool for serious political forecasters — it has never offered a sign-up bonus and never will, so come for the markets, not the promo. Read our PredictIt review →
Compare the top platforms
The five that matter most, side by side — across the features that actually decide where you trade.
| Feature | Kalshi ★ Best Choice | Polymarket | FanDuel Predicts | DraftKings Predictions | Crypto.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFTC-regulated | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Available in most states | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deep politics & econ markets | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Sports markets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beginner-friendly app | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lowest fees | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Taker fee | Variable maker/taker | Maker free · ~0.30% taker | 2% on payout | $0.02 / contract | $0.02–$0.20 / contract |
| Our rating | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Which prediction market is best for you?
Four questions, no email — we'll match you to a platform.
Where are prediction markets legal?
CFTC-regulated prediction markets operate nationwide as Designated Contract Markets, so — unlike sportsbooks, which are licensed state by state — event contracts are available to traders 18 and over in nearly every US state. That's exactly why they've become the legal route for sports traders in places like Texas, California and Georgia, where traditional sportsbooks still aren't available.
It isn't fully settled, though. Some states are pushing back on sports contracts while litigation plays out, and Minnesota became the first state to ban prediction markets outright. Always check your own state before you deposit — our legality tracker keeps the current picture in one place.
What you can trade
Prediction markets let you buy Yes/No contracts on real-world outcomes, and the price is simply the crowd's live estimate of the odds. The deepest action is in politics — control of Congress, nominations and policy — and in economics, where Fed decisions and CPI prints drive the surging macro contracts.
Sports markets are legal where sportsbooks aren't, crypto covers Bitcoin levels, ETF approvals and exchange IPOs, and culture and tech & AI round out the board. Browse everything in the markets hub.
Markets trading right now
A featured market in each category, with more worth watching — prices are the crowd’s live read, updated every few minutes.
How to pick a prediction market
Bonuses get the headlines, but they're the last thing to weigh. Here's the order that actually matters.
Bonuses get the headlines, but they're the last thing to weigh. Start with regulation: stick to CFTC-regulated exchanges, which keep your funds inside the US regulatory perimeter. Then match the platform to the markets you'll actually use — Polymarket for politics, DraftKings or OG.com for sports, Kalshi for macro and breadth.
After that it's liquidity and fees: deep books mean tighter spreads and clean exits, and small, frequent trades feel per-contract costs the most. Check that the markets you want are available in your state — sports contracts are restricted where litigation is active — and pick the funding you'll tolerate, whether that's instant bank and card or a crypto wallet. Treat the bonus as a tiebreaker, not a reason: a $100 offer on the wrong platform still costs you on every trade.
A short history of prediction markets
Kalshi wins designation as a CFTC-regulated exchange, seeding the modern prediction-market era.
The Trump–Harris market on Polymarket alone clears $3.5B in volume; event contracts go mainstream.
The CFTC signals exclusive federal jurisdiction over event contracts; sports contracts reach all 50 states.
New operators launch monthly and Kalshi raises at a $22B valuation — while Minnesota becomes the first state to ban the markets.
Explore our hubs
Prediction market FAQs
Are prediction markets legal in the US?
CFTC-regulated platforms are legal for traders 18+ in nearly every state, operating as federally regulated Designated Contract Markets rather than under state gambling law. It remains contested — sports contracts are restricted in some states, and at least one has banned them — so check your own state first.
How are they different from a sportsbook?
A sportsbook sets the odds and you bet against the house. A prediction market is a peer-to-peer exchange where prices are set by traders and reflect real probability — and the markets cover far more than sports.
Which prediction market is best?
For most US users, Kalshi — the most comprehensive CFTC-regulated exchange. Polymarket leads on politics and low fees, Robinhood is the easiest start, and DraftKings or OG.com are strongest for sports.
Can I lose money?
Yes. A contract can settle at $0, so you can lose your entire stake — and prices move while a market is open. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.
Understanding Prediction Markets & Event Trading
Prediction markets are suddenly everywhere. The media quotes their odds non-stop, insider-trading scandals keep making headlines, and the big sportsbooks are under real pressure — several are now building their own platforms. DraftKings launched its Predictions app, FanDuel has FanDuel Predicts and Fanatics is rolling out Predicts; even PENN’s theScore Bet is openly weighing one, with its CEO calling prediction markets an “existential” threat the industry can’t ignore.
We wanted to cut through the noise and learn how these Yes/No markets actually work in practice: how to trade them, how to read the sites, where they’re legal, whether you can really win real money — and whether a price in cents is honestly easier to read than American odds and a sportsbook’s lines. That’s why we built WouldYouBet: to show new traders where to start and which platform fits whom.
We earn commissions when readers sign up through our links, and we disclose it plainly. It never changes a score: the methodology is published, and the order is the order.