TLDR
- Prediction markets topped $50 billion in trading volume in June, a record for the industry.
- Kalshi handled about 65% of all trading, up from 57% in May.
- The FIFA World Cup drove close to half of all trading activity across platforms.
- DraftKings, Polymarket, and Robinhood-backed Rothera expanded their presence in the sector.
- Regulators may reshape the industry’s rules depending on future political changes.
Prediction markets had their biggest month ever in June. According to a new report from Macquarie Equity Research, the sector generated more than $50 billion in trading volume during the month.
The FIFA World Cup played a large role in that growth. Analysts said sports made up roughly half of all trading activity across prediction market platforms.
Kalshi led the pack by a wide margin. The platform handled about $33 billion in volume, which works out to 65% of the total market.
That share grew from an estimated 57% in May. If June’s pace continues for a full year, the industry would be on track to process more than $500 billion annually.
World Cup Trading Fuels Growth
Macquarie had already predicted the World Cup would generate over $50 billion in global betting activity. That earlier estimate did not even include prediction markets.
The report pointed to a partnership between FIFA’s official prediction market partner, ADI Predictstreet, and Kalshi. Analysts said the deal likely reflects ADI’s need for trading volume more than Kalshi’s need for exposure.
ADI Predictstreet reportedly processed about 126,000 trades in its first 18 days. That number shows how hard it can be to build trading activity, even with a major sports partnership in hand.
For comparison, World Cup winner markets on Kalshi and Polymarket generated about $1 billion and $4 billion in trading volume.
New Players Enter the Market
Several companies moved to expand their footprint in prediction markets during the same period. Polymarket struck partnerships with Liga MX and Genius Sports.
DraftKings launched its own prediction market exchange, called DKeX. Macquarie said the sportsbook now views prediction markets as a long-term business line rather than a reaction to competitors.
Robinhood-backed Rothera also gained ground quickly. The platform reportedly generated billions of dollars in World Cup-related trading within weeks of launching.
Analysts said this suggests that how a platform reaches users may matter as much as pricing or liquidity. Meta is also reportedly exploring its own prediction market app, starting with a points-based system rather than real money.
Macquarie said that move points to growing mainstream interest in the space. Several major companies now appear to be building products around prediction markets rather than just watching from the sidelines.
Despite the growth, the industry’s rules are not settled. Prediction market operators are still fighting with several states over whether their sports contracts count as regulated financial products or as gambling.
The report noted that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under the Trump administration has proposed a framework for the industry. That framework would block contracts tied to war, terrorism, and assassinations, but would largely allow sports contracts to continue.
Macquarie cautioned that this support could change under a future administration. Analysts wrote that a Democratic administration could take a stricter approach and give states more power to regulate the industry.
That means the sector’s rapid growth in June came alongside a reminder that its legal footing could shift depending on who holds power in Washington.
