DraftKings has reported a sharp month-on-month increase in activity for its predictions offering, as the operator continues to build out its position in the US prediction markets sector.
In a Form 8-K filing dated June 9, DraftKings said annualized consumer volume for predictions reached $1.3bn in May 2026, up 24% from April.
Annualized total volume traded rose 34% month-on-month to $3.1bn.
The operator said the figures are preliminary, unaudited and based on internal data, meaning they remain subject to adjustment.
Prediction markets have become a growing strategic area for US gaming operators because they are regulated federally as event contracts rather than through state-by-state sports betting frameworks.
That structure has allowed products to reach customers in states where online sports wagering remains unavailable, although sports-related contracts continue to attract scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and state gaming interests.
DraftKings formally entered the segment in December 2025 with DraftKings predictions, a standalone mobile and web product offering contracts tied to real-world outcomes.
Sports and financial markets were available at launch, with other categories expected to follow.
The move followed DraftKings' October 2025 acquisition of Railbird Technologies and Railbird Exchange, giving the operator access to technology and a federally licensed exchange structure for event contracts.
In late May, DraftKings-owned Railbird Exchange self-certified six sports event contracts with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), including contracts tied to game winners, spreads and player props.
The CFTC has been reviewing how prediction markets should operate under the Commodity Exchange Act. In March, the agency issued an advisory for designated contract markets listing event contracts, with particular focus on manipulation risk, market integrity, settlement criteria and sports-related products.
The sector remains led by specialist platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, while sportsbook operators have been testing whether existing customer bases can be shifted into event contract trading.
DraftKings' May update suggests the operator is seeing early volume growth, although the business remains at an early stage compared with its sportsbook and iGaming operations.
The predictions update follows DraftKings' decision to shut its Wrigley Field retail sportsbook facility in Illinois, where the operator cited the state's high tax structure and rising operating costs.
DraftKings reported Q1 2026 net revenue of $1.6bn, adjusted EBITDA of $102.6m and net income of $21.1m
