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Regulated prediction markets in the US are platforms that allow users to trade event contracts through CFTC-designated exchanges, registered futures commission merchants or an approved derivatives framework. Contracts tied to prediction market events typically settle at $1 if a defined outcome occurs, or else $0.
That said, being regulated in the US doesn’t imply risk-free or availability in every state. The right platform to trade event contracts depends on several factors compared in this listicle.
| Platform | Rating | Best For | Regulatory Status | Market Coverage | Contract Model | Funding | Fees | KYC | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 ⭐ | Broad direct access to CFTC-regulated event contracts | CFTC-designated contract market | Sports, politics, economics, crypto, and culture | Yes/No contracts | ACH, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App deposits, crypto and wire | $1.75 taker fee per execution; maker fees vary | Users must be at least 18 and complete identity verification | Accessible to eligible U.S. users, except in Massachusetts, Michigan and Nevada | |
| 4.6 ⭐ | Brokerage users comparing contracts across several exchanges | CFTC-registered FCM, providing access to contracts from CFTC-regulated Kalshi, ForecastEx and CME Group venues | Politics, economics, finance, climate and broader venue-dependent contracts | Yes/No or fixed-outcome contracts | ACH/direct bank transfer, stablecoins and supported regional payment methods | ForecastEx: $0 IBKR commission + $0.01 exchange fee. Kalshi and CME: $0.01 IBKR commission + $0.01 exchange fee per contract | Standard IBKR customer identification and event-contract eligibility approval apply | No published state exclusions; available to eligible US residents | |
| 4.5 ⭐ | A familiar brokerage-style event-contract regulated prediction market | CFTC-registered FCM and NFA member | Sports, politics, weather, commodities and culture | Yes/No contracts priced from | ACH, debit-card deposits and wires | Probability-weighted commission: 5% coefficient with Robinhood Gold or 10% without, capped at $0.01 per contract | U.S. residence, an individual brokerage account and age 18+ are required | Unavailable in Maryland. Nevada users cannot open new sports contracts | |
| 4.4 ⭐ | Direct event contract exchange access | CFTC-designated contract market | Broad real-world event markets; sports, politics, economics, crypto and culture | Dollar-denominated event contracts traded through a central limit-order book | ACH, debit or credit cards and Apple Pay | Fee = coefficient × contracts × price × (1-price) | Polymarket US uses Socure for identity verification | Available in 49 states, excluding Nevada | |
| 4.3 ⭐ | Crypto-app users looking to trade sports-focused event contracts | Crypto.com Derivatives North America under CFTC oversight | Sports, crypto, economics and geopolitics | Collateralised Yes/No contracts | ACH, wire, qualifying instant deposits and conversion from supported crypto assets | Taker; $0.01–$0.075 per contract Maker & settlement; $0. | Users must hold a verified Crypto.com account and receive approval for the CDNA product | Available in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding New York | |
| 4.2 ⭐ | Event contract traders seeking a direct federally regulated exchange | CFTC-designated contract market | Sports, politics, crypto and other measurable real-world events | Yes/No contracts | Funded from the user’s Gemini balance | Formula-based pricing with a 0.0175 maker rate and 0.07 taker rate | Gemini requires government-issued photo identification and biometric face verification | Available in all 50 states | |
| 4.0 ⭐ | Users funding event contracts with USD or USDC | CFTC-regulated FCM and NFA member | Politics, economics, crypto, and culture | Yes/No contracts | USD or USDC | $0.01–$0.02 per contract | SSN or TIN, photo ID, age, employment, trading experience, income and net-worth information | Available in 49 states, excluding Nevada | |
| 3.9 ⭐ | Sports-oriented users looking for financial, political and event contract crypto markets | CFTC-registered introducing broker and NFA member | Sports, finance, politics, crypto, and economics | Yes/No contracts | Funds must be deposited into the Predictions wallet | $1 Draftkings fee per execution plus exchange fee | Identity, age and physical-location verification apply | Available in 48 states, excluding Maine and New Hampshire | |
| 3.8 ⭐ | A streamlined app for sports, culture, financial and crypto contracts | CFTC-registered FCM and NFA member | Sports, culture, financials, crypto and other real-world events | Yes/No outcome contracts | Requires a separate FanDuel Predicts account | A 2% transaction fee is charged based on potential payout | Users must be 18+ and complete in-app identity and location verification | Available across all 50 states, but the markets displayed vary by state |
These two are also worth following closely;
Regulated prediction markets are event contract market operators that have already been granted an operational license, either by the CFTC, futures commission merchants or derivatives clearing organizations. They allow eligible users in the US to trade on measurable outcomes such as local elections, sports, economic data and geopolitical events.
While they hold a license to operate as DCMs or FCMs providing access to event contracts in the US, the regulatory status is not foolproof; it simply means that they operate under a recognized U.S. derivatives framework with CFTC oversight.
Best For Broad direct access to CFTC-regulated event contracts
Kalshi is a CFTC-designated contract maker and currently the industry’s standard when it comes to regulation. The platform has been operational since 2020, but went mainstream with the US 2024 presidential elections.
How contracts work: Yes/No contracts structured around specific outcomes, they settle at $1 or $0 depending on the outcome; however, it is possible to cash out before the final market resolution.
What to check before depositing funds: State availability is the most important factor as Kalshi is currently fighting several state AGs in court; currently not available in Nevada, Michigan and Massachusetts.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Event contracts are listed and matched on KalshiEX LLC |
| Liquidity and execution | Each market has a separate order book, with Kalshi providing bid and ask prices |
| Operational Compliance | Internal monitoring plus Solidus Labs and IC360 |
| Resolution and dispute | Each contract specifies an official “Source Agency” for resolution, filed with the CFTC as part of Kalshi’s self-certification |
Best for brokerage users comparing contracts across several exchanges
Interactive Brokers offers access to regulated prediction markets in the US through its CFTC-designated exchange, ForecastEX, alongside Kalshi and CME Group Venues.
How contracts work: Execution is dependent on the underlying exchange (ForecastEX uses Yes/No contracts with value ranging between $0 and $1).
What to check before depositing funds: Confirm which exchange has listed the event contract you want to trade on, as resolution sources and settlement vary.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Contracts list and clear on ForecastEX LLC |
| Liquidity and execution | Per contract order book, with position level accountability set at 250,000 contracts |
| Operational Compliance | Large Trader Reports filed daily to the Clearinghouse |
| Resolution and dispute | Each contract names a “Source Agency” |
Also Read – List of Top Crypto Prediction Markets
Best For a familiar brokerage-style event-contract regulated prediction market
Robinhood provides event contracts through a dedicated Robinhood Derivatives account within its existing consumer brokerage interface; the platform also intends to route more volume through Rother (JV with Susquehanna).
How contracts work: Users take positions on Yes/No contracts and can also cash out before final resolution (buy Yes shares at $0.40 sell at $0.60 for a small profit or $0.30 to protect from further downside)
What to check before depositing funds: Check the exchange name and full contract terms since Robinhood also routes contracts to different underlying venues.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Contracts route to Rothera or Kalshi |
| Liquidity and execution | Rothera draws liquidity from Susquehanna market-making |
| Operational Compliance | Kalshi-routed contracts inherit KalshiEX surveillance while Rothera runs its own DCM-level compliance program |
| Resolution and dispute | Kalshi’s Outcome Review Committee or Rothera’s own rules |
Also Read – List of Best Leveraged Prediction Markets
Best for direct event contract exchange access
Polymarket US (QCX LLC) is the regulated entity through which the exchange operates in the country; unlike its global platform, the US version leverages a central order book model to provide event contract access.
How contracts work: Users can place both market and limit orders on Yes/No contracts and sell all or a part of the position before resolution, depending on the order book depth.
What to check before depositing funds: Review the exact spread, order book liquidity to confirm that the market you want to trade in can handle your intended size without causing a significant movement in the overall price.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Event contracts are listed , matched, and clear on QCX LLC |
| Liquidity and execution | QCX rulebook, CLOB with a formal Market Maker program |
| Operational Compliance | Self-certification for each event listed with the CFTC under Rule 40.2/40.6 |
| Resolution and dispute | Each contract resolution is dependent on a named Source Agency |
Best for crypto-app users looking to trade sports-focused event contracts
Crypto.com has expanded its product suite beyond crypto to include event contracts both on the web interface and app through Crypto.com Derivatives North America, operating under CFTC oversight.
How contracts work: Yes/No contracts that allow market participants to increase or reduce their exposure before the specific event concludes/resolves.
What to check before depositing funds: Review the specific contract you want to trade on, including early expiry conditions, trading interruptions and event related limits or risks.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Directly through the exchange and application |
| Liquidity and execution | In addition to the app, Crypto.com also leverages Fanduel and Draftkings for sports contracts liquidity |
| Operational Compliance | Contracts are subject to CDNA’s risk controls as well as position limits on an event level |
| Resolution and dispute | Settlements is pegged to CDNA’s contract terms |
Read More – List of Best Geopolitical Prediction Markets
Best for event contract traders seeking a direct federally regulated exchange
Gemini Predictions provides access to a direct exchange interface that is supported by the company’s institutional trading and API infrastructure.
How contracts work: Yes/No event contracts whose value either closes at $1 if an event occurs or drops to $0 if it doesn’t.
What to check before depositing funds: One of the most important factors is the bid-ask depth, coupled with the cancellation rules for a specific event contract.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Gemini Titan LLC (CFTF-designated DCM) lists the contracts |
| Liquidity and execution | Gemini publishes best bids, offers and order book depth |
| Operational Compliance | Participant permissions, order validation and contract-related exchange controls |
| Resolution and dispute | Named source, with unclear results first pushed to pending |
Also Read – Gemini Bags Major CFTC License
Best for users funding event contracts with USD or USDC
Coinbase Predictions introduced event contracts markets through a separate derivatives account run by Coinbase Financial Markets; both a CFTC-regulated FCM and NFA member.
How contracts work: Yes/No contracts that users can purchase in USD and notably the USDC stablecoin.
What to check before depositing funds: For contracts that are based on a specific’s benchmark price or resolution, check the settlement source rather than solely relying on Coinbase’s displayed price.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Coinbase Financial Markets lists the contracts |
| Liquidity and execution | Execution is liquidity dependent |
| Operational Compliance | Prohibits the use of insider information and non-public information |
| Resolution and dispute | Standard CFTC DCM rules are used if a dispute arises |
Read More – List of Best Prediction Market Tools
Best for sports-oriented users looking for diversified event contract markets
DraftKings is one of the traditional players that has already expanded into event contract offerings through its consumer trading interface; CFTC-registered introducing broker and NFA member.
How contracts work: Yes/No contracts that allow users to predict event outcomes across sports, finance, crypto and politics.
What to check before depositing funds: Check whether the offering is available in your state, potential fees as well as the exchange rules on contract resolution and dispute.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | Contracts lists on CME, alongside Draftking’s DKeX |
| Liquidity and execution | Orders are routed through third-party FCM |
| Operational Compliance | Applied for its own FCM so as to hold funds directly |
| Resolution and dispute | Exchange rules and the source agency are both used |
Explore: Top Trade Opportunities with our Prediction Market Finder
Best for a streamlined experience for sports and culture events trading
FanDuel Predicts is also a CFTC-registered FCM and NFA member routing event contracts through CME Group; users need to have a separate FanDuel Predicts account from the core sportsbook app.
How contracts work: Yes/No event contracts with an upper bound of $1 for correct outcomes and $0 for incorrect outcomes.
What to check before depositing funds: Confirm displayed market availability in your state as it varies from one to another, also check if you’re okay to accommodate both fee layers.
| Operational Factor | Details |
| Access | CME Group listed contracts in a joint venture |
| Liquidity and execution | Liquidity is dependent on venue (CME or CDNA) |
| Operational Compliance | Fully collateralized event contracts as per CME exchange rules |
| Resolution and dispute | CME or CDNA settlement authority |
Read More – List of Top Sports Prediction Markets
Each of the prediction market venues featured was scored out of 100, with the final score presented as a five-point rating.
For example, Kalshi’s 4.8 rating is about 96/100; the exchange scored highly being a pioneer CFTC-designated DCM, broad market offering, depth and order book liquidity, resolution clarity and integration of compliance tools. However, it falls short of a perfect score due to several state restrictions, varying fees and ongoing litigations.
Beside the obvious taker fees, users looking to trade to regulated event contract venues should also check on other hidden costs. An overview of potential extra costs using Polymarket US fees structure as an example:
| Fee Type | Applicable Fee |
| Trading fee | Taker: Θ=0.06 × contracts × p×(1−p), capped at $1.50/contract at $0.50; Maker rebate: -0.0125, capped at -$0.31/contract |
| Taker rebate tiers | 10% off ($250K–$1M prior month’s taker volume), 25% off ($1M–$10M), 50% off ($10M+) |
| Bid-ask spread | No fixed fee; set by order book depth. Platform switches from midpoint to last-traded-price display once spread exceeds $0.10 |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 platform fee; $50,000/day cap on bank transfer and debit card withdrawals |
| Funding cost | $0 for ACH, debit card, Apple Pay, and wire; your bank or processor may still charge separately |
| Settlement delay | No fixed timeline disclosed; resolution tied to each contract’s named Source Agency and the QCX Rulebook dispute process (Section VIII) |
| Tax reporting impact | Standard 1099 treatment for U.S. derivatives exchanges applies |
No. CFTC regulation is federal, but several states dispute that authority over sports-linked contracts specifically. Check a platform’s current state exclusions before funding an account, since court rulings are still active.
No. Event contracts are CFTC-regulated derivatives traded on an exchange between participants, not wagers against a bookmaker. The distinction matters for tax treatment, but not for the risk of loss.
A designated contract market (DCM) is an exchange the CFTC has authorized to list and trade futures, options, or event contracts directly, under federal oversight rather than state gaming law.
A futures commission merchant (FCM) accepts and holds customer funds to route orders onto a DCM’s contracts. It doesn’t list its own markets, Robinhood and Coinbase are FCMs, Kalshi is a DCM.
Yes. Every contract is fully funded upfront, so a losing position results in total loss of that stake. Federal regulation lowers counterparty and fraud risk, not market risk.
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