DraftKings has expanded its prediction market offerings through a strategic partnership with cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com, enabling player-specific contracts for NFL and NBA events. The collaboration significantly broadens the platform’s sports catalog ahead of major sporting events.
The agreement allows DraftKings Predictions to offer contracts on individual player performances, including statistics like points scored, rebounds, and assists for basketball players, as well as touchdowns, passing yards, and receptions for football athletes. These markets are now available to traders in states where traditional sports betting remains prohibited.
Prior to this partnership, DraftKings Predictions primarily offered point spreads, totals, and game winner contracts. The addition of player-specific markets represents a major product enhancement that brings the platform closer to parity with traditional sportsbook offerings while operating under federal CFTC regulation rather than state gaming frameworks.
The expansion comes as prediction markets continue to gain traction nationwide. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins noted that the company utilizes multiple market makers to establish contract prices and is developing its own internal market-making capabilities specifically for prediction markets.
This partnership follows DraftKings’ acquisition of Railbird Exchange in October, which the company plans to integrate into its prediction market infrastructure. CME Group also serves as a partner for the platform, providing additional market infrastructure and credibility.
The move places DraftKings in direct competition with other operators who have launched similar platforms, including FanDuel and Fanatics. However, the sector faces ongoing legal challenges from multiple states contesting whether sports event contracts fall under federal commodities jurisdiction or state gambling regulations.
Prediction markets currently operate in a regulatory gray area, with several states including Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey pursuing legal action to block sports offerings. The ultimate resolution may require intervention from Congress or the Supreme Court to clarify the regulatory framework.
