ChatBet says it has launched version 3 of its betting assistant in Latin America. The company says users can place bets through messaging apps, with BetVIP and BetPlay among its current platform partners; founder Josh Swerdlow reported engagement and repeat-use signals from operators in the region.
The launch adds a messaging-based betting channel for operators working with ChatBet in Latin America.
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Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg reportedly met Kalshi chief executive Tarek Mansour last year to discuss a possible acquisition. The talks remained at an early stage and ended without agreement; accounts differ on the reasons. Meta is now developing a prediction app called Arena that is not expected to use real-money wagering.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour discussed a possible acquisition in 2025, but the talks did not progress beyond an informal stage, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter. Sources gave differing explanations, including valuation differences, Mansour's reluctance to sell and concerns within Meta about legal and regulatory issues; Meta is separately testing an internal prediction app that would use play money.
Meta is reportedly developing Arena, an app for user predictions on sports, politics, economics and entertainment, initially using points rather than real-money wagers. Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly asked staff to assess potential partnerships with Polymarket and Kalshi, but no agreement terms are known and the companies have not commented. The project remains in internal development, with a standalone launch and later integration into Meta services described as possibilities.
Kalshi has filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois over a new 15% levy on gross receipts from sports-event contracts on prediction markets. The law, part of a $56bn annual budget signed by Governor JB Pritzker, takes effect on 1 July. Kalshi is seeking a temporary restraining order and accuses the state of violating the US Constitution's Supremacy Clause.
Meta Platforms chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly directed a small group of employees to develop a prediction market app called Arena. The app is expected to use points rather than real money, according to the report, which cited unidentified staff members.