Super Bowl LX Will Test Impact of Prediction Industry

Super Bowl LX won’t just determine who this year’s NFL champion will be.

The biggest betting event in the US will provide a massive showdown between the sports betting and prediction industries. While Kalshi was live for last year’s big game, several more operators are live and gearing up for Super Bowl LX. That means this year will provide a far bigger test and finally give some clarity on the impact prediction markets are having.

The Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 8, in Santa Clara, CA.

FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics to Offer Both

Another difference heading into Super Bowl LX is that three of the country’s largest sportsbooks have also launched prediction platforms. DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel will be offering both sports betting and contract trading (prediction markets). 

Aside from the final revenue numbers, it will be interesting to see how the three operators promote their competing platforms. They have spent a seemingly endless amount of money advertising and promoting their sportsbooks, but their prediction advertising remains minimal. Will the Super Bowl change that, or will operators back their already thriving sportsbooks?

What Kind of Bets Will be Available?

Prediction operators have expanded their sports offering, adding parlay and prop bet markets since the last Super Bowl. However, nothing is stopping them from adding new markets ahead of the big game.

The Super Bowl is one of the most significant prop betting events of the year. Bettors can wager on anything from the length of the national anthem to the color of the Gatorade dumped on the winning coach. Several states have begun to crack down on these types of pro bets due to a rise in betting scandals.

New state regulations will affect sportsbooks, but not prediction markets. Since the industry is considered a form of commodity trading, it is not subject to state gambling regulations or taxes. 

Considering operators like Polymarket and Kalshi are offering markets for almost anything, adding risky prop bets isn’t out of the question.

Do Bettors Like Prediction Platforms?

While operators like Kalshi have posted monster volume since launching NFL markets, customer retention has been an issue. 

The fear around the industry is that sports bettors prefer the traditional approach to wagering on sports. While traders and those in the crypto industry love prediction markets, they can be difficult for conventional sports bettors to use. Considering the money they are spending and their familiarity with sportsbooks, it remains possible that the Super Bowl prediction markets will underwhelm.