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April marked another major expansion phase for prediction markets, with FIFA becoming the latest global sports organization to embrace the sector through a partnership with ADI Predictstreet. At the same time, operators and regulators intensified their battle over federal versus state authority, as the CFTC, Robinhood, and Kalshi all launched lawsuits tied to prediction market enforcement. Meanwhile, platforms continued to develop new products and integrity tools, with Flutter, Fanatics, and Kalshi introducing features designed to innovate and improve integrity in the industry.
TL;DR: A Bite-sized Overview
- FIFA enters prediction markets: FIFA signed a multi-year partnership with UAE-backed ADI Predictstreet ahead of the 2026 World Cup, marking its first official deal with a prediction market operator.
- Kalshi makes a deal with Fox: Fox Corporation integrated Kalshi prediction market data across FOX News, FOX Business, FOX Weather, and FOX One.
- Kalshi strengthens KYC controls: The platform introduced AI selfie verification, parental monitoring tools, and plans for family-linked trading accounts.
- Betfair launches prediction markets beta: Flutter rolled out “Betfair Predicts” in the UK, allowing invited users to trade yes/no event contracts across sports, politics, and entertainment.
- Fanatics adds sportsbook-style parlays: Fanatics Markets introduced “Combos,” allowing users to bundle multiple prediction market outcomes into one position.
- CFTC sues three states: Federal regulators filed lawsuits against Arizona, Connecticut, and Illinois over state attempts to restrict prediction markets under gambling law.
- Robinhood sues Washington: Robinhood challenged Washington state regulators, arguing that prediction markets fall exclusively under federal commodities regulation.
- Kalshi sues Montana: Kalshi filed another federal lawsuit after Montana issued a second cease-and-desist order targeting its event contracts.
FIFA Signs Prediction Markets Partnership with ADI Predictstreet
FIFA entered the prediction markets sector through a multi-year partnership with ADI Predictstreet ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the organization’s first official agreement with a prediction market operator.
The deal gives ADI Predictstreet access to FIFA branding and fan-engagement opportunities tied to the expanded 2026 World Cup, with the platform expected to enable users to forecast match outcomes and tournament events through blockchain-based prediction markets. The partnership comes shortly after Gibraltar approved ADI Predictstreet’s prediction market license, with the company planning to launch its platform globally across mobile and desktop.
“I’d love to see some high-level investigative journalism into this partnership because it appears irregular that FIFA partners with a yet-to-launch platform when there are well-renowned and established prediction market platforms like Kalshi available. From a quick search, I found that ADI Predictstreet is not only an UAE-backed company but also primarily focuses on blockchain projects. Money talks? You already have the controversial sports event contracts; pair that with an obscure UAE-backed blockchain company, and it's bound to attract loads of criticism. I’m definitely one to raise an eyebrow to this.”
Patrik Lidin
Kalshi Expands Media Reach Through Fox Corporation Partnership
Kalshi signed a new partnership with Fox Corporation that will integrate prediction market data across FOX News, FOX Business, FOX Weather, and the FOX One streaming platform.
The agreement will allow Fox to incorporate Kalshi’s real-time event market data into political, economic, weather, and cultural coverage across both broadcast and digital channels. Kalshi said the partnership reflects growing demand for prediction market data as a complementary tool for news analysis and public forecasting.
Kalshi Adds AI Verification and Parent Monitoring Features
Kalshi announced new identity verification and parental monitoring tools to strengthen KYC processes, enhance account security, and prevent minors from accessing its prediction market platform. These features are well-timed amidst mounting integrity concerns surrounding platforms offering event contracts.
The company plans to introduce AI-powered selfie verification during account registration alongside a new parent access portal that allows individuals to check whether their personal information has been used to create a Kalshi account. CEO Tarek Mansour said the initiative is designed to help families identify unauthorized account usage and improve accountability around prediction market participation. Kalshi also revealed plans for joint and family-style accounts that would allow users to monitor each other’s trading activity.
Flutter Launches Betfair Prediction Markets Beta in the UK
Flutter Entertainment launched a beta version of a new prediction markets product under its Betfair brand, marking another major betting operator entering the event-contract space.
The product, called Betfair Predicts, operates as a modified version of the Betfair Exchange platform and allows users to trade “yes” or “no” positions on sports, political, and entertainment outcomes rather than placing traditional sportsbook wagers.
Fanatics Markets Adds Multi-Leg “Combos” to Prediction Platform
Fanatics Markets introduced a new “Combos” feature that allows users to combine multiple prediction market positions into a single contract, bringing sportsbook-style parlay functionality to event trading.
Powered by Crypto.com’s infrastructure, the feature enables users to combine outcomes across player props, spreads, totals, moneylines, and multiple sports into a single position. Similar to traditional sportsbook accumulators, payouts occur only if all selected outcomes are correct, increasing potential returns while lowering the likelihood of success.
CFTC Sues Three States Over Prediction Market Restrictions
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed lawsuits against Arizona, Connecticut, and Illinois in an effort to block states from applying gambling laws to federally regulated prediction markets.
Backed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the lawsuits argue that event contracts offered through CFTC-regulated exchanges fall exclusively under federal commodities law rather than state gambling frameworks. The cases target state actions ranging from cease-and-desist orders to criminal enforcement efforts against platforms offering sports-related prediction contracts.
Robinhood Sues Washington Over Prediction Market Restrictions
Meanwhile, Robinhood filed a lawsuit against Washington state officials as the legal battle over prediction markets and state gambling laws intensifies.
The company argues that event contracts traded through federally regulated exchanges fall exclusively under the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC oversight, meaning states cannot classify the activity as illegal gambling. Robinhood said Washington’s recent enforcement actions against Kalshi create a direct threat to its own business because the company routes customer trades through federally regulated prediction market exchanges.
Kalshi Sues Montana Over Prediction Market Enforcement
Last month, another company lashed back at state officials after Kalshi filed a federal lawsuit against Montana legislators, following the state's issuance of a second cease-and-desist order targeting its prediction market operations.
The company argues that Montana violated a prior 2025 agreement under which the state paused enforcement while related litigation in Nevada progressed through the courts. Kalshi maintains that its event contracts fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the CFTC and therefore cannot be regulated as gambling under state law.