DraftKings is waiting for a favourable CFTC ruling before committing more seriously to prediction markets, JMP Securities analysts said after meeting company executives. The analysts also discussed the Texas closure of DraftKings' Jackpocket lottery courier service; chief executive Jason Robins reportedly described it as a “unique situation”.
A CFTC decision could affect DraftKings' potential entry into prediction markets.
Quarter ended 30 September 2026
The day’s most important stories, free. One email a day.
DraftKings launched its DraftKings Predictions app in December 2025 and introduced its DKeX contracts market on 26 June 2026, according to the report. The company developed DKeX using technology and authorisations obtained through its acquisition of Railbird Technologies; the report also says a US professional basketball league expanded its agreement with DraftKings on 26 October to cover prediction markets.
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins defended the company’s planned prediction-markets investment on its third-quarter earnings call. The company projects adjusted EBITDA investment of $900m to $1.05bn across 2026 and 2027, and Robins said customer acquisition costs could take about 41 months to recover if the Supreme Court bars sports event contracts in July 2028.
DraftKings chief executive Jason Robins said the company’s exchange ranked third by trading value for the week ended Oct. 18. Aldrin Research data cited in the report put its volume at $1.04 billion and market share at 3.57%.
DraftKings chief executive Jason Robins said the company could benefit whether sports prediction markets remain available or are restricted, while it monitors related legal challenges. He said sportsbook handle rose about 15% year over year in the first two weeks of the NFL season, and the company may bring forward some customer-acquisition and marketing spending planned for 2027, depending on trading and customer data.
An MGM takeover bid collapsed while a $17.6bn Caesars deal progressed. The outlet also reported investor reactions to DraftKings’ prediction-market strategy and CFTC consideration of margin trading.