PENN Entertainment chief executive Jay Snowden said the company expected an aggressive and irrational market for acquiring customers as prediction-market platforms competed for online sports betting consumers ahead of the NFL season.
PENN’s expectation of greater customer-acquisition competition is relevant to operators’ planning for the NFL season.
Quarter ended 30 September 2026
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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.
The American Gaming Association forecasts that Americans will wager $29.5bn legally on the 2026 NFL season. The estimate covers betting through regulated commercial bookmakers in the United States.
Prediction markets are competing for sports betting customers as the NFL season approaches. The report identifies Kalshi and Polymarket as competitors to FanDuel and DraftKings.
FanDuel announced new sportsbook features ahead of the NFL season, including a monthly loyalty programme, expanded Bet Protect+ coverage and added in-app research tools. Customers can add injury protection to eligible player prop bets for an additional 3% of the wager; the company also plans further research features later in the season.
Fanatics said its sportsbook will work with IC360 and Signify Group to monitor public online activity from the 2026 NFL season. The Bad Actor Program will identify people engaging in harassment or threats and share their details with participating sportsbooks, which may suspend or restrict flagged customers.