Fanatics launches prediction platform in 24 US states
Fanatics took a strategic step in the digital entertainment industry with the launch of Fanatics Markets, a predictive contract platform that allows users to bet on outcomes related to sports, finance, politics, and culture. With this move, the company gets ahead of competitors like DraftKings and FanDuel in the prediction markets segment, a sector experiencing rapid growth.
The platform debuted this Wednesday in 10 states, including Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, and Utah, and will reach 24 jurisdictions before the end of the week, including key markets such as California, Texas, Florida, and Washington. Fanatics specifically chose states without sports betting regulation or with monopolized models, expanding its reach beyond the limitations imposed on its traditional sportsbook.
A launch in two phases: sports, politics, and finance today; crypto, climate, and pop culture in 2026
Fanatics Markets presents itself as “the first prediction market at the intersection of sports, finance, and culture.” Its rollout occurs in two stages:
Phase 1 (already available):
- Sports events
- Economy and finance
- Politics and macroeconomics
Phase 2 (early 2026):
- Cryptocurrencies
- Stocks and IPOs
- Climate change
- Technology and artificial intelligence
- Film, music, and cultural events
According to Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting & Gaming, the platform “offers a safe and intuitive way for fans to engage in the moments that move sports and culture, with the possibility of earning profits if their predictions are correct.”
Partnership with Crypto.com and regulatory structure under federal supervision
The pricing of contracts is backed by Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA), an entity registered with the CFTC. The partnership ensures a regulated environment with institutional-grade infrastructure.
The launch is also supported by the acquisition, made in July, of Paragon Global Markets, a broker registered with the CFTC that strengthens Fanatics’ regulatory compliance. Unlike sports betting, prediction markets operate under federal rules for event contracts, although some state regulators have warned that this activity could influence traditional gaming licenses.
An exploding market: nearly USD 28 billion traded in 2025
The sector is experiencing sustained growth. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket drove a combined volume of nearly USD 28 billion through October, according to Crypto.com data. Even mass consumer companies like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, and CNN already integrate prediction market data into their products.
Meanwhile, DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, and Underdog are preparing their own versions. Fanatics, however, assures that competition does not worry them. “We are just at the beginning of a market that will grow exponentially over the next five to ten years,” King stated on CNBC.
App availability and features
The Fanatics Markets app, available for iOS and Android, allows trading contracts such as:
- Whether a team will score more than 20 points
- Whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates
It also includes a unified wallet for the entire Fanatics ecosystem, deposit limits, and session controls.
This week, 14 new states will be added, including Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Tags: United States, Fanatics, Fanatic Markets, Predictive Markets