NHL strengthens control strategy with prediction market agreements
The National Hockey League (NHL) became the first major sports league in the United States to formalize partnerships with prediction market platforms, a decision that marks a turning point in the relationship between sports, data, and new forms of engagement linked to sporting events.
The NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, explained that the agreements with Kalshi and Polymarket aim to strengthen the league’s institutional oversight and control without increasing the risks associated with the betting environment. His statements were made during an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box program, in a context where other professional leagues face scrutiny and scandals related to sports betting.
More control and less exposure
According to Bettman, the choice of prediction markets responds to a different logic than traditional sportsbooks. While operators like DraftKings and FanDuel operate under models where leagues have limited intervention, prediction markets allow the NHL to maintain a greater degree of authority over the contracts offered to the public.
“We partnered with prediction markets because we believe fans should know that these contracts are based on real data,” Bettman said. “But above all, because they give us control. We have the ability to remove any contract we do not consider appropriate, something that is normally not possible in traditional sports betting.”
This approach, he emphasized, reinforces transparency and reduces exposure to situations that could compromise the integrity of the sport.
An ongoing regulatory debate
The commissioner’s statements come amid a national debate about the legality and regulatory framework of sports event contracts, with federal litigation still ongoing. Even so, the NHL considers that this model allows it to anticipate potential risks and exercise more effective monitoring of activity linked to its competitions.
Bettman contrasted hockey’s situation with that of other leagues such as the NBA and MLB, which are currently undergoing investigations related to betting. “I don’t think our sport is as vulnerable as others,” he said. “We trust our players and our structure, and we also monitor every second of every game. We watch both bets and prediction lines, and today it is practically impossible to manipulate the system without consequences.”
Permanent oversight and strategic partnerships
For the NHL, official agreements with prediction platforms not only increase the visibility of the activity but also function as an additional layer of protection. “Being aligned with betting or prediction market entities allows us to see more closely what is happening. From our perspective, these partnerships are a control tool, not an additional risk,” Bettman stated.
Convergence between betting and prediction markets?
Asked about the sector’s future, the commissioner anticipated a possible convergence between prediction markets and traditional sports betting. “I think these models will evolve. I wouldn’t say a technical merger, but rather a progressive integration,” he explained.
In that regard, he mentioned that FanDuel and DraftKings are already evaluating their entry into this segment, after having withdrawn license applications in Nevada and leaving the American Gaming Association (AGA), an entity that maintains a critical stance toward prediction markets.
However, the AGA has recommended that leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB not replicate the approach adopted by the NHL, citing unresolved regulatory uncertainties.
An experiment with potential impact across the industry
For now, the NHL presents this initiative as a strategic experiment that combines data-driven engagement with direct ecosystem oversight. If other leagues decide to follow the same path, as Bettman suggested, the regulatory model for sports betting and prediction markets in the United States could enter a phase of structural transformation.
Tags: United States, USA, predictive markets, USA predictive markets, Kalshi, Polymarket, Fanduel, DraftKings, AGA